Rio Stedford: Tackling lack of representation in financial services

'Celebrate your wins openly, and remember, success is not a solo journey'

clock • 4 min read

Rio Stedford, head of financial planning and Finura, shares her unique perspective on diversity in financial services...

The financial services industry is still plagued by a lack of diversity, particularly at senior levels. This needs to change. My journey has been one of perseverance, grounded in my belief that my diverse perspective enriches not only my company but the whole sector and strengthens the industry's ability to serve an increasingly diverse clientele. With more than a decade of experience in wealth management, I am proud to be the head of financial planning at Finura and part of the leadership team. However, as a woman of mixed Jamaican and Polish Jewish heritage, I have become increas...

To continue reading this article...

Join Professional Adviser for free

  • Unlimited access to real-time news, industry insights and market intelligence
  • Stay ahead of the curve with spotlights on emerging trends and technologies
  • Receive breaking news stories straight to your inbox in the daily newsletters
  • Make smart business decisions with the latest developments in regulation, investing retirement and protection
  • Members-only access to the editor’s weekly Friday commentary
  • Be the first to hear about our events and awards programmes

Join

 

Already a Professional Adviser member?

Login

More on Your profession

Why human connection remains central in a digitally enabled advice sector

Why human connection remains central in a digitally enabled advice sector

'It is clear that the sector is moving through a significant period of transformation'

Tim Riseborough
clock 17 December 2025 • 3 min read
Why advisers shouldn't rush into private markets

Why advisers shouldn't rush into private markets

'There's only so long the hamster wheel can keep turning'

Justin Cash
clock 15 December 2025 • 4 min read
Adviser workload set to rocket ahead of IHT on pensions changes

Adviser workload set to rocket ahead of IHT on pensions changes

Large volumes of clients will need reviews of financial plans

Isabel Baxter
clock 15 December 2025 • 3 min read