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The launch of WMN…
By Victoria Behn, Managing Director, Global Banking & Markets
My first visit to Riyadh was 20 years ago when I launched the first ever international financial event held in partnership with the Saudi Arabian Capital Markets Authority. The Riyadh of 2005 was a very different place to today and the event was ground-breaking in itself. But we had no female attendees. Over the years the number of women slowly increased, and then, so did the number of female speakers. Today when I look at GBM’s Saudi Arabia event, I am hugely heartened by the female attendance and the amazing young Saudi women who are now entering the world of finance. I admire their hard work, drive, and ambition and the courage and determination of those who blazed the trail.
It felt right therefore that we chose to launch our new women’s mentorship network – WMN – in Saudi Arabia. The network runs alongside each of our events across the world and are a great platform to encourage and support women in finance. At each event we have hosted our female members in relaxed and exclusive settings where meaningful connections are made. In Riyadh we were hosted by one of our Saudi members for lunch and went on an epic hike to the Edge of the World. In Cape Town, an all-female choir from the townships sang to us on a rooftop. And last month in Dubai we gathered 60 members for High Tea at the Ritz with a trailblazing, inspirational speaker – Tracy Edwards.
WMN is an inclusive network - all female attendees to our conferences are invited irrespective of company or job title. And this is the real gem – our members can nominate a junior / young female to come to GBM/WMN as our personal guest. We give them access, visibility, connections, and knowledge. I love that we can do this and help new young female financiers take a step on and up the ladder.
So, what’s next? Our members are working with us, sharing ideas, and helping shape the future of the network. One thing is clear – these ladies are all incredibly busy so what we do has to be accessible and simple. It needs to fit into their lives and add real value. While we’re still in planning mode I’m already excited for 2026 and beyond. Watch this space...
Victoria is a senior executive with over 25 years’ international experience in financial media and events. She is currently Managing Director of Global Banking & Markets, the leading emerging markets events business for wholesale financiers. Previously Victoria was at Euromoney Institutional Investor, where for 20 years she worked in senior positions at: Euromoney Conferences; Euromoney Magazine; GlobalCapital and Petroleum Economist. This followed an early career with the CWC Group covering the oil, gas and infrastructure markets, and with the policy team of a national children’s charity.
