Building Strong Networks with everywoman Ambassador Member Angela Wakelin

Angela Wakelin Photo

Angela Wakelin has built up strong networks over the course of a 25 year career in financial services. After starting work in a NatWest bank branch post-A levels, Angela had many different roles with the RBS Group, mainly in corporate banking. She moved to Santander in 2008 to help set up its corporate banking business as Chief Operations Officer and became Director of Product Oversight and Control.

In 2012 Angela moved into the retail distribution division as Transformation Director responsible for managing key change programmes to ensure smooth transition to the new, customer-focused, multi-channel bank. Angela was also the inaugural Chair of Santander UK’s Women in Business Network, challenging the perceptions of the male-dominated world of banking.

Here she talks about the value of networking, how she built up her own networks and how to beat the fear of networking.

WHEN, IN YOUR CAREER, DID YOU REALISE IT WAS IMPORTANT TO HAVE A STRONG NETWORK?

When I moved to Santander in 2008, I’d been at RBS/NatWest since leaving school, so it felt like a very big step – exciting, but risky.  Apart from my husband and parents, who else could I ask for advice?  The only person I knew at Santander was the person I would be working with and I couldn’t speak to someone in RBS because I was leaving them. I realised the value of a strong external network, which I lacked.

DID YOU ACTIVELY BUILD YOUR NETWORK OF PEOPLE?  IF NOT, HOW DID IT COME ABOUT?

Some has been proactive and some has built up naturally. Change in financial services has meant people move about more so my networks have grown. Also it has grown through the everywomanClub and other networks and forums.

WHAT HAS YOUR NETWORK ENABLED YOU TO ACHIEVE?

So much, it has given me more confidence – when you talk to people you realise that you know quite a lot! I have developed personally by discovering different perspectives making me a stronger person and leader. Getting a range of views from people in different industries and walks of life also helps you to have a wider lens.  It promotes business growth, as I am connecting as a customer and a supplier and I’ve also found friendship too.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE LOOKING TO BUILD THEIR NETWORK?

Just do it!  People fear networking, seeing it as artificial, engineered and hard work, but it helps to jot down who your existing networks are – you’ll soon realise how many people you know.  And after reflecting on all that networking can provide, ask yourself, “Why wouldn’t I?”

HOW DO YOU STAY IN TOUCH WITH YOUR NETWORKS?

Internally I have informal coffee chats.  Externally, with everywomanClub for instance, it helps that it’s social and it informs me through the speakers and it doesn’t require too much commitment.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE SOMEONE ATTENDING THEIR FIRST NETWORKING EVENT?

Don’t be afraid, people will talk to you!  It can feel a bit engineered but people are there because they want to meet others. I know we often think, ‘I hate entering a crowded room in case I don’t know anyone,’ but you find that people will want to talk and find out more about you.

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