Hi, I’m Kylie Poole. I studied at Bayes Business School between 2017-2019 on the Executive MBA programme. Reflecting on my time at Bayes I look back with fondness at the rare opportunity we all had to access cutting edge knowledge and hash out new ideas. Many of my fellow graduates have now launched businesses or branched out into exciting areas such as sustainable finance, ESG, Ed-Tech and for-purpose ventures! In retrospect, working full-time and studying the programme was challenging yet character building – and helped keep up with my mortgage payments!

I studied Economics as an undergraduate which I absolutely loved. In another life I’d be an Economist (statistics + persuasive writing = fun!). As it transpires I’ve not fallen entirely far from that tree as my career has been within capital markets. My intention with studying an MBA was to ensure I kept my business knowledge broad and my financial language (and therefore understanding) up to date. I wanted to make sure I didn’t get pigeon-holed and had career flexibility.

Bayes Global Women’s Leadership Programme

My decision to attend Bayes had a lot to do with the Global Women’s Leadership Programme which was only just kicking off the year I started studies. When I met the women involved I liked the ethos of the group which I felt mirrored that of the University – a small group of personable, real, and smart individuals who were curious and ready to ask thought-provoking questions.

The Global Women’s Leadership Programme is designed to help women studying at Bayes have access to a network of like-minded people to support them; and to introduce them to unique opportunities to grow and be challenged. It’s also there to canvass the bright minds and expertise of those involved to talk about and propose strategies to tackle issues faced by professional women.

Life in a male-dominated industry

My early career was as an interdealer broker – smack bang in the middle of one of the most famously masculine and combative working environments in finance! I had a lot of fun and was well supported by my male colleagues – but the culture can be quite exhausting (for everyone!). I moved onto working at an exchange and towards electronic and algorithmic trading which provided more scope to get involved in other disciplines such as business development, marketing and strategy. Now I work for a DLT company that sells ledger technology to exactly the types of customers I’ve either worked for (big exchanges, clearing houses and CSDs) or have previously serviced as clients (banks and funds). I now enjoy working for a smaller technology company because it’s flexible, results-oriented and entrepreneurial.

I would encourage women to speak up with their opinions and feedback in meetings / forums / discussions, even if they’re not 100% sure they’re correct. It’s OK to be wrong and I think women can lose out to men who feel more emboldened to contribute. I give this advice whilst acknowledging the subtle undertones that contribute to the existence of this dynamic in the first place e.g. directive women being labelled bossy, or women being bestowed less legitimacy than male colleagues. With effort I think it’s something that can be practised, learnt, and then become second nature.

What makes a good leader?

Leadership is ownership of an outcome and a true desire to harness the power of a team and peoples’ differing skillsets to achieve it. Leaders take pride in developing and bringing up those around them. I believe informed and well-equipped leaders are often intrinsically humble (“The more I learn, the less I realise I know” – Socrates!). A leader with a vision and purpose can inspire the forging of new paths to progress. Women I would follow into battle: Michelle Obama, Beyonce Knowles, Robyn Rihanna Fenty, Sanna Marin.

Find out more about the Global Women’s Leadership Programme