"It's important to be brave and know that you can make a difference." -Brand You, by Pauline Nicol, Tesco Bank

The gender gap in fintech continues to be a major issue in the industry, with women still significantly underrepresented in leadership positions. In fact, according to a 2020 report by Deloitte, women make up just 7% of the total pool of global fintech founders, highlighting the need for greater gender diversity in the sector. Despite these challenges, women in fintech are continuing to make waves and drive their careers forward. One key strategy is building their own brand to showcase what they can do. Pauline Nicol, Payments Partnerships Manager at Tesco Bank, is one such woman who has successfully built her own brand, with a focus on menopause awareness and support in the workplace. In this interview, Pauline shares her insights on how she got into fintech, the importance of branding oneself, and her advice for women in the industry.

Women of FinTech: Thank you for taking the time to speak with me today, Pauline. Can you tell me how you got into the fintech industry?

Pauline: Sure. I actually joined Morgan Stanley Dean Witter in 1999 when they opened an operations centre in my town. This opportunity eventually led me to join Tesco Bank in 2011.

Women of FinTech: And what attracted you to the industry?

Pauline: To be honest, it was more about the opportunity than any specific attraction. At the time, Morgan Stanley Dean Witter was a new employer launching a new product in the UK market.

Women of FinTech: I understand that you've done some work in the area of menopause in the workplace. When did you realise that there was a gender gap?

Pauline: It was in the late 2010s when I was experiencing severe menopause symptoms that were impacting my work and personal life. I felt that I couldn't share the real reasons for my struggles without being judged for being too old or not competent enough.

Women of FinTech: That's really interesting. Can you tell me about your branding and marketing experience in relation to menopause support in the workplace?

Pauline: Certainly. My colleague and I recognised the need to start talking about menopause, to break down the stigma and taboos, and help our colleagues get the support and information they needed. This led to the creation of a menopause support group, Hot@Tesco, and Saorsa Menopause Consultancy, which we launched to help other organisations become menopause-friendly employers. Through this work, we've won three awards and have been able to raise more and more awareness of menopause and its impacts across Tesco Bank and Tesco.

Women of FinTech: What would you say are the most important points to consider when branding oneself?

Pauline: For me, it's important to be brave and know that you can make a difference.

Women of FinTech: Are there any downsides to taking on additional work like this?

Pauline: Of course, as we do this work in addition to our day jobs, it can be challenging to make time to continue supporting our colleagues. However, because we're so passionate about this work, we make sure to find the time.

Women of FinTech: Do you believe that employers should help their staff raise their profiles in this way?

Pauline: Absolutely. Employers need to raise awareness and support their colleagues, male and female, as this stage of life indirectly affects 100% of colleagues and directly impacts 51% of the workforce. By doing so, they can reduce menopause-related absences, retain talent, and allow women to come to work feeling seen and supported.

Women of FinTech: If you could give your 20-year-old self advice, what would it be?

Pauline: I would tell myself to get educated about menopause. I suffered for over 10 years from undiagnosed symptoms that had a massive impact on my family and work life.

If you would like to continue the conversation with Women of FinTech and Pauline Nicol , register here for our next event - How to build your own personal brand Tickets, Tue 28 Feb 2023 at 11:00 | Eventbrite