Programme

13.15 Registration and coffee

14.00 Opening remarks: Where is the conversation? What should we be talking about?

This opening address will set the scene for the afternoon ahead, as we seek to consider the ways in which this discussion has expanded.

Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)

14.10 Discovering the talent of tomorrow: How can the market attract, retain and nurture?

Widespread concerns persist over a perceived talent gap in the industry, where talent is not being developed, looked after or is simply being missed. This interactive sli.do-based session will consider the extent to which banks have seen a change in the demographic of those undertaking graduate schemes, asking how they look to compete with fintechs and others when it comes to recruitment. It will also consider how the nature of what people expect from a job has shifted and what employees now demand from an employer.

Moderator: Izabela Czepirska, Product Director, Crowdz; Emerging Leaders Network, ITFA

Mark Homans, Senior Relationship Director, Global Universities Programme, Santander UK

Veronika Koroleva, Partner, gunnercooke; Founder, How To Be Human At Work

Asif Dad, Distribution & Syndications, Greensill

15.00 Debate: Is technology a leveller or merely reflecting existing biases?

The role of technology in the diversity and inclusion conversation is a much discussed and divisive issue. This session will see speakers argue their viewpoints before asking the audience to pick their position. Strong arguments are encouraged!

Argument 1

Technology has a key role to play in the diversity and inclusion conversation. AI, machine learning and RPA offer an alternative to arduous paper-based processes, whilst movement away from a relationship-driven ethos helps level the playing field for providers and borrowers alike. Ongoing announcements of blockchain consortia and increased collaboration across banks and fintechs also have a key role to play in bringing the industry together to tackle pressing market issues.

Argument 2

The counterargument is the accusation that a majority white-male technology industry means too many systems carry through built-in gender biases, increasing concerns over too narrow a range of influence and too many products being created that neglect the needs of a modern diverse and inclusive society. Until these issues are addressed you are simply replacing one problem with another.

Moderator: Jeff Ando, Director, Conference Production, Global Trade Review (GTR)

Rebecca Harding, Chief Executive Officer, Coriolis Technologies; Author, ‘Gaming Trade’

André Casterman, Chief Marketing Officer, INTIX; Non-Executive Director, Tradeteq; Chair, ITFA Fintech Committee

Chantale Tippett, Principal Researcher (Innovation Systems), Innovation Mapping, Nesta

Jonathan Holman, Head of Digital Transformation, Santander Corporate & Commercial

Josie Young, Lead Consultant, Artificial Intelligence (Strategy & Ethics), Methods

15.50 Networking break

16.20 Speak up session: Has diversity and inclusion in the trade finance space advanced?

Since the inaugural GTR Women in Trade Finance event in 2015 we’ve focused on various topics, addressing hiring practices, the role of technology, behavioural biases and the need to compete to attract young talent. This closing Question Time-style session will bring some of these themes together to consider the extent to which initiatives such as this have impacted on the market, with the trade finance industry seemingly now having greater awareness of the importance of these issues. The session will also provide members of the audience with the opportunity to ‘speak up’, sharing their own anecdotes and experiences.

Moderator: Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)

Maria Mogilnaya, Associate Banker, Trade Facilitation Programme, EBRD

Cristhian Rodríguez, Global Trade Compliance Specialist, Google

Catherine Lang-Anderson, Partner, Allen & Overy

Pouya Jafari, Associate, Channel Capital Advisors; Founder, tradeXplain

Clare Hunter, Head of Marketing & Communications, Coltraco Ultrasonics

17.20 Closing remarks followed by evening networking

An esteemed line up of speakers include:

André Casterman, Chief Marketing Officer, INTIX; Non-Executive Director, Tradeteq; Chair, ITFA Fintech Committee
Izabela Czepirska, Product Director, Crowdz; Emerging Leaders Network, ITFA
Asif Dad, Distribution & Syndications, Greensill
Rebecca Harding, Chief Executive Officer, Coriolis Technologies; Author, ‘Gaming Trade’
Jonathan Holman, Head of Digital Transformation, Santander Corporate & Commercial
Mark Homans, Senior Relationship Director, Global Universities Programme, Santander UK
Clare Hunter, Head of Marketing & Communications, Coltraco Ultrasonics
Pouya Jafari, Associate, Channel Capital Advisors; Founder, tradeXplain
Veronika Koroleva, Partner, gunnercooke; Founder, How To Be Human At Work
Catherine Lang-Anderson, Partner, Allen & Overy
Shannon Manders, Editorial Director, Global Trade Review (GTR)
Jeff Ando, Director, Conference Production, Global Trade Review (GTR)