Mahesh Vekaria

Tell us your story:

"I have been working in finance since I was 19, over 20 years now! But been more closer to the fintech sector over the last 4 years with Allica.

I have helped with supporting the bank platform development to allow us to use technology to assess and manage credit risk in a more efficient and productive way. Contributed with ideas and innovation to support the product development within the bank."

Impact:

"I have supported the growth of the Underwriting team by being involved in the recruitment to ensure we attracted diverse group of colleagues, inducted and trained them to be the best they can be. Been their leader and gained support for them to follow my lead. I have tried to create an environment where they can be themselves and really contribute to the bank.
With the success of achieving the sense of belonging within my team, I started and grew the banks Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiative in 2022. I brought together a group of colleagues who all had a passion of Diversity and over the last 12 to 18 months we have organised events where colleagues across the bank can feel represented. We encouraged conversations on topics which has helped educate and broaden mindsets. This has created a wider sense of belonging across the organisation and that has led to engaged colleagues which has allowed us to be a high performing organisation in this very busy sector."

Advice:

"It is a fast paced and changing sector. It needs diverse thought and ideas to innovate, grow and develop. That can only happen if we are represented across the sector at all levels and contribute to that sense of belonging in Fintech."