To mark this year’s International Women’s Day, Portico hosted a Leaders Breakfast and a networking event, at the fabulous 116 Pall Mall. The aim of the event was to network with colleagues, meet interesting people and take part in important discussions around how we can drive change to bring about equity.

During the leader’s panel, Portico’s operation director, Hanna Barrett discussed the importance of this day and what it mean’s to her both professionally and personally.

Moderator: What does this year’s theme, #EmbraceEquity mean to you?

Hanna: ‘It is actually just to embrace how you feel about things, I don’t think we should beat ourselves up about finding an answer to imposter syndrome I think it’s naturally within us when we’re passionate about something when we care about something when we naturally want to do well at something, I think the biggest part is sort of overcoming it in your own mind, so being able to talk yourself out of imposter syndrome and not letting it consume you and your thoughts because it will prevent you from doing things. So, bite the bullet and commit to something and see it through to the end and don’t worry what anything else thinks, you’re doing it for you and for you to achieve the next big thing for yourself.’

Moderator: What empowers you?

Hanna: I think developing others and watching others grow, being there for others and listening because you learn a lot from listening particularly to all of you. So that empowers me, my two-year-old empowers me, I know that would surprise a lot of you who have met him by teams, but having that open mind, that innocent open mind, you know he’s not been influenced by anything, that certainly empowers me, to be more two-year-old sometimes I think.

Moderator: What advice would you give your younger self from here today?

Hanna: I would say, know when to take others’ advice and know when to take your own advice, and learn to sometimes perhaps ignore that little voice in your head that’s talking you in and out and out especially at 3 in the morning when it does that. That never tends to go away I think it’s just being conscious of it and trying to manage it a little bit more, but yeah that will definitely be helpful, and probably yeah just do it, I think you know, we just faff about a lot sometimes when you can just do it and achieve it, so go for it.

The Portico family is fortunate to be home to many inspirational women who go above and beyond for our customers. March 8 is also an opportunity to give something back for the immense contributions they make every day of the year.

Happy International Women’s Day!