#UoBWomen: My Mom in Finance

Written by Holly Handley

International Women’s Day, celebrated on 8 March, marks the perfect time to recognise the achievements of women while also remembering the gender inequalities that still affect millions worldwide. For me, International Women’s Day is not only a time to reflect on historical women who have transformed gender equality, and on political movements like the suffragettes – it is also important to consider the women whose impact is felt much closer to home. One of those women is my mom. My mom is a woman in finance, or more specifically, Head of Procurement Contracting at UoB. Finance is a traditionally male-dominated field that she has conquered while still being the best mom to my sister and me. Growing up, I didn’t always understand the significance of what she did; it was only as I got older that I began to realise how important it is to see a woman leading in such a senior financial role.

My mum’s career journey

My mom didn’t go to University; she started working at a young age, and the first job I remember her having was in the finance team at Birmingham City Council. Before she became Head of Procurement Contracting at UoB, my mom worked for a finance qualification called CIPS, something she studied for alongside her full-time job at the council and her full-time family. As I grew up, I watched my mom revise for her exams, while I revised for my weekly spelling test. Having a female figure who was able to teach me so much about resilience and striving for the best even when the odds are against you is just one of so many reasons why it is also important to focus on the women around you when reflecting on International Women’s Day.  

Being a woman in finance

As Head of Procurement, she plays a key role in ensuring our university operates ethically, efficiently and sustainably. While you might not see them in action at first, these decisions affect staff, students and the wider community. Growing up with a mom, not only in finance, but as the head of a financial team for an entire University, normalised something for me that is still far from normal for so many women, even in our modern world. I grew up watching my mom lead a team and make important decisions, which challenged more traditional ideas about what roles women ‘belong’ in. It taught me that women can, and should, take up space in sectors where they’ve been historically underrepresented.

Even more so, being a woman in a finance career is hard. Women who work in STEM often find themselves overlooked  which is something that my mom would have to ignore and overcome in order to get to where she is today. Women are often considered too ‘irrational’ to work in a mathematical sector. But if you knew my mom, you’d know that she definitely would never let something like that stop her. Her success shows me, and other women, the value of independence and ambition - that success doesn’t come from fitting in a mould, but from staying committed to your values and abilities.

What makes her role particularly meaningful is the fact that she works within a university environment. Universities are places of learning, growth and opportunity; representation within them matters. Seeing women in senior leadership roles sends a powerful message to our students about what is possible.

Looking ahead

International Women’s Day is not just about celebrating the achievements of women around us; it is also about recognising the work that still needs to be done. Women still remain underrepresented in senior roles across finance and other industries, and progress can sometimes feel slow. However, stories like my mom’s remind us that change is happening; and it is driven by women who lead by example, challenge expectations and open doors for those who come after them.

This International Women’s Day, I’m celebrating my mom, not just for her professional achievements, but for the impact she’s had on my understanding of leadership, resilience and equality. I hope her story encourages others to recognise the women around them, to question stereotypes, and to believe that ambition has no gender.

Check out what's on this month for International Women's Day and Women's History Month.