Sophie Baxter

Your Story:

I never set out to work in fintech, but I am very happy to be here now. Around 5 and a half years ago, I went through a training programme with Sparta Global and as part of that landed a role with 10x Banking. I’ve been here ever since.

I’ve worked across most functions in the business from engineering to client, before finding my niche as a compliance analyst. I believe being neurodiverse helps me succeed in this role and I find it incredibly rewarding to work on challenging analysis that adds real value to the company.

Your Impact:

I became a Co-Chair of the 10x Pride Network over 2 years ago to help create a community that allows people to feel safe in who they are. I am particularly passionate about helping raise the awareness of asexuality, a lesser-known group in the wider LGBTQIA+ community.

I take pride in finding innovative ways to engage and educate 10xers – whether it’s through supporting LGBTQIA+ businesses at beer tasting socials or creating quizzes for our competitive team.

It was out of my comfort zone to take on the Chair role, but I have loved watching our culture evolve and seeing people feel increasingly able to express themselves at work. It was fantastic seeing the fruition of this when members our network, from junior colleagues to executive leaders, felt able to express themselves in a video series about their experiences with their sexualities.

I want to push myself again and be featured in the Pride Powerlist to meet other people and expand impact across the wider fintech community.

Your Advice:

Be authentically you if you feel safe to do so. A great place to do so is in a pride network and I really encourage people to join existing pride networks in their companies, or even start their own. It’s a great space to express who you are, and to meet people from different departments and career stages you otherwise may not have met.

I’ve had some incredible conversations and expanded my career through the network at 10x. And if you can’t join one in your company, there is a whole community of LGBTQIA+ members within fintech. You are certainly not alone!