UNA BARRETT REVOLUT SENIOR PRODUCT AND OPERATIONS MANAGER
Una, can you describe your career story?
I started my career in a very traditional way – training in tax advisory for KPMG Ireland and qualifying as a chartered accountant and chartered tax adviser. But I wanted to travel and to see a different part of the world. I’d studied for eight years after all! So I moved to Australia and started working in commercial finance with National Australia Bank. That’s where I got into the heart of the business alongside the product management teams, understanding how to build payment and lending products that meet customers’ needs. When Covid-19 hit, we immediately set up a team to respond to the needs of customers.
All of their personal lending commitments were falling so we had to find solutions to help them through – i.e. payment breaks, fee waivers, and a special hardship programme for the most heavily affected. By this stage I was looking to move back home and I was absolutely delighted to be offered a job in Ireland with Revolut which I started in 2022. So far, one of my biggest achievements has been helping to launch our European bank, which paved the way for our local account details and credit products like personal loans and Pay Later.
What initially got you interested in a career in the financial sector?
I love the idea of being able to help people solve their financial problems. Financial worries are commonly ranked as one of the most stressful things in people’s lives. Particularly after my experience in Australia, I know what financial firms can do to help alleviate the pressure, help people understand their finances and achieve their financial goals. It’s more than just managing money, it’s about having a purpose and seeing all the things you can do with your money in the future.
What are the challenges that you think women, specifically, face in the financial sector?
Traditionally, the financial sector is a male-dominated industry so it will naturally be more challenging for women to progress, and the banking industry must continue to evolve to be more inclusive of women and support their growth.
That said, I’ve never felt like I’m held back as a woman in Revolut, and it’s actually the most diverse place I’ve ever worked. Nowadays, we are seeing more female leaders in higher management and leadership positions, but the financial services industry as a whole still has a long way to go. This historic imbalance means that there is still a lack of women mentors and networks across the industry to support increased participation. Long hours at work can make a work-life balance challenging, particularly for women who wish to have children and balance family duties. I do believe that fintechs are starting to change this dynamic though. Revolut is a place where anyone can succeed, regardless of gender or anything else.
What could be done to improve gender diversity and equality in leadership roles in finance?
Industry leaders need to be actively and sincerely committed to achieving a better gender balance. At Revolut, we don’t have a hiring preference and our promotion philosophy is all genderblind. Revolut’s commitment to hybrid working also helps enormously in allowing women to balance their career and life goals. Additionally, we have a dedicated mentoring scheme to support female employees at Revolut. It’s important for industry leaders to ensure that women, who particularly come back from maternity leave, are supported with a return to work programme and supported to fill development gaps that are potentially acting as barriers to progression.
What tips would you give aspiring women who want to make their way into the financial sector?
Find your voice: Put your hand up and get involved in everything you can. Don’t wait for permission as the opportunities won’t always fall into your lap.
Have a mentor: Someone that pushes you out of your comfort zone will help your success to grow. Similarly, finding a community of like-minded people can also be a source of great encouragement.
Back yourself: When you first start out, don’t focus on your weaknesses. Many people tend to focus on what they cannot do more than what they can do. Know your strengths and focus on these. These are the areas that you will naturally deliver your best in and bring more energy. It’s advisable to play to your strengths!
How do you manage to strike the balance between work and life?
This is challenging! You need to be a self-regulator and cannot rely on other people to do this for you. You need to define what a work-life balance means for you as this will look different for everyone. For me, I ensure that I regularly carve time out to spend with family and friends. To bring my best self to work, I need that personal down time. Even the small things like picking my nieces up from school, having a cocktail with friends, or just going for a walk can do wonders.