Lesley works full time for LV= General Insurance within the Intermediary team. She is a mother to a 14-year-old young lady, a wife of 22 years and she also owns two small businesses. Lesley is an advocate for being a black woman in the financial services sector.

What does your journey into the mortgage industry look like?

I started back in 1997 when I joined Legal & General as a Household Claims Handler. I’ve never moved employers – LV= bought the GI arm of Legal & General Insurance back in 2020. I’ve had a range of job roles throughout my career; Team Leader, Trainer, Service Delivery Manager, Claims Supplier, Account Manager, New Business Lead and now my most recent role as Intermediary Strategic Account Manager.

What has been your best moment in the industry?

I think I’m living my best moments right now. I’m comfortable in life and within my role, and have taken advantage of various opportunities to give back and share my experiences with others, to hopefully leave them with better insights and to encourage them.

What has been your worst moment in the industry?

Being understood has been difficult at times. I’m a confident person, and many times my passion has been mistaken as aggression, especially as I gesticulate a lot. Conversely, when I’m quiet this has been mistaken as lack of confidence, rather than what it actually is – me giving others a chance to speak and be heard.

What is your experience with D&I both personally and professionally?

From my early days back in 1997, I observed that there was no one that “looked like me” in senior positions. I set myself the ambition of being the first black Service Delivery Manager for Claims. I’m proud to say that I achieved this in 2007. It was important for me to ensure that I made the most of this senior platform, to create an environment where I could educate others, at every level, on the struggles that black people face in this corporate arena.

More recently I created a D&I group within my business division. This is a ‘safe space’ for myself and others to have open and honest conversations, and to learn, listen and overcome challenges. I’ve naturally become a mentor to both my peers and senior management, encouraging open dialogue around diversity and inclusion.

I’ve never stopped being my authentic self. I’m an open door – ask me anything. It’s okay to ask, it shows me that you’re willing to be educated.

I was a Finalist in Women In Insurance Awards 2023 and also Allianz Star Awards 2023 – this was for my GI work and my commitment to Diversity and Inclusion.

What keeps you in this industry?

Being able to be an advocate and having opportunities to make a change. Being able to be here for others to listen to my experiences and take a few words of wisdom away to allow them to evolve.

I was involved in ‘fireside chats’ at two Mortgage Showcase events during 2023, speaking to Independent Financial Advisers and Brokers about diversity, or lack thereof, within their businesses.

I’m also currently volunteering with a National Social Mobility Charity – Career Ready. I get to visit schools, mainly Y12 and Y13, to deliver masterclasses that can assist them to kickstart their professional life. This includes things like the art of communication, networking, CV writing and much more.

Do you have any advice?

Always be open to feedback. At times, feedback can feel demotivating, and you may feel like people don’t understand the way you feel or why you may act/react in a particular way. But never disregarded feedback – always listen, take it away and reflect. You have to accept the opinions of others and think about what, if anything, you would change if you approached the same situation again.

With more people of colour in senior positions than ever before, these development conversations with the upcoming generations will be more relatable. I absolutely believe in the saying “people buy people” – stay true to yourself, be your authentic self!

Do you have any advice for the industry as a whole?

I’d like to see more people of colour in senior positions – this will help us all to embrace the diverse world in which we live. Career conversations with the upcoming generations – people of a variety of cultures, backgrounds and countries – will then be more relatable.