21 May, London: Held on 19th and 20th May, the sessions spanned personal development, company culture, investment topics, client management, and technology & disruption, with headline contributions from Jessica Rusu, Chief Data, Information and Intelligence Officer, FCA, former Cabinet Minister Baroness Nicky Morgan of Cotes, Dame Julia Hoggett DBE CEO, London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG), and Sneha Shah, Head of SEI Next. PIMFA CEO Liz Field hosted and opened both days.
AI, fraud, and the future of regulation
Among the highlights, the FCA’s Jessica Rusu warned that regulated firms risk falling behind criminals if they do not adopt AI at the same pace, describing firms as “the first line of defence” in protecting consumers from fraud.
When asked whether the FCA would move towards “robo-regulation”, Rusu described automation as a “wonderful opportunity”, but stressed that human judgement remains essential, and that a fully automated system remains “some way off”. Rusu also argued that the UK is well positioned for responsible AI adoption.
The need for authenticity and adaptability in financial services leadership was also explored in a panel discussion featuring Liz Field, Hannah Gurga from the ABI, Lisa Kidd Hunt from Charles Schwab, and Claire Limon from 2Plan Wealth Management.
Women’s financial resilience
In her keynote on women’s financial resilience, Baroness Nicky Morgan reflected on her background of growing up with a passion for politics and explored the importance of male allies including David Cameron and Boris Johnson. Baroness Morgan addressed the structural financial disadvantages that women face across their lifetimes, from the salary gap, to the investment gap, to the pensions gap, and the compounding effect on long term financial security.
Baroness Morgan spoke about the multiple roles women are expected to juggle as professionals, mothers, and caregivers, drawing on her own experience of balancing a high profile public career with family life.
UK capital markets and getting Britain investing
In conversation with Liz Field, Dame Julia Hoggett DBE, reflected on her career journey from emerging markets banking through the financial crisis to her current role, describing each move as “an exam question” worth answering.
On the UK’s investment culture, Dame Julia highlighted the Invest for the Future campaign and the work of the Capital Markets Industry Taskforce, arguing that the UK must back its own capital markets as a source of national economic security.
Looking ahead
Across all sessions, the message was clear: the industry must continue to evolve to secure its own future in a rapidly changing world.
Liz Field, CEO at PIMFA said, “A huge thank you to all our speakers, partners and attendees for making this year’s Women’s Symposium such a success. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with delegates sharing how they plan to embed what they’ve learned into their careers and personal lives.
“The event provided a forum to share best practice, to motivate and inspire individuals at all levels, provide a space for honest conversation, highlighting the importance of male allyships. Keynotes and panels provided practical, professionally focused content on a range of themes. I look forward to welcoming everyone to the next Women’s Symposium in October 2027.”
Bookings are now open for the Women’s Symposium 2027 with Super Early-Bird discounts available until June 20th. For more details and to book visit: PIMFA Women’s Symposium 2027 – PIMFA
PIMFA believes that in order to ensure our sector grows and thrives it needs to address its talent challenge, support existing female talent, respond to the generational wealth shift and must provide clearer pathways into investment for and of women, harnessing the skills, experiences and attributes that everyone can bring to the workplace.
ENDS
Notes to Editors
About PIMFA
PIMFA (the Personal Investment Management & Financial Advice Association) is the trade association for firms that provide wealth management, investment services, and financial advice and planning to everyone from individuals and families to charities, pension funds, trusts and companies.
The sector currently looks after £1.65 trillion in private savings and investments and employs over 63,000 people.
PIMFA represents both full and associate member firms. Full members provide a range of financial solutions including wealth management, financial advice and planning, as well as investment and execution services. They assist everyone from individuals and families to charities, pension funds, trusts and companies. Associate members provide professional services to the PIMFA community.
PIMFA leads the debate on policy and regulatory recommendations to ensure that the UK remains a global centre of excellence in the wealth management, investment advice and financial planning arena. Our mission is to help create a UK culture of thriving financial health through constructive advocacy, creating connections and practical support.
PIMFA was created in 2017 as the outcome of a merger between the Association of Professional Financial Advisers (APFA) and the Wealth Management Association (WMA), which has a history as a trade association dating back to 1991.
Further information can be found at pimfa.co.uk
