The Power of Female Friendships: More Than Just Social Bonds

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Here, Naomi King, an Accountant in our UK office, reflects on the profound impact of female friendships, the health benefits and the value of cross-generational bonds, where sharing diverse perspectives fosters personal growth.

I recently read an article that got me thinking, especially as we celebrate International Women’s Day. The article[1] referenced a study from the Harvard Business Review, which found that women leaders who had mostly female friends in their inner circle earned about 2.5 times more and held more authority than those who didn’t.

When I was younger, I thought it was all about having a huge group of friends and spending all my time with them.  But as I have got older, I have realised that having a small group of friends with whom I have a strong bond is much more meaningful—and it seems studies back up this idea too.

The article pointed out that women face unique challenges compared to men, and having a close group of female friends can really help them navigate these. Female friendships often provide emotional support, understanding, and encouragement, which are all important for overall well-being and personal growth. This shows just how crucial female friendships can be, not only in general but also when it comes to a woman’s career.

Having good friends, whether they are female or not, brings many benefits. Friends can improve your life by lowering stress and boosting happiness. They can also have a positive effect on both your physical and mental health. A study published in the American Journal of Psychiatry found that people with friends and close confidants are more content with their lives and less likely to experience depression. After all, we are social beings!

Beyond emotional and career-related benefits, friendships also offer invaluable learning opportunities. One often-overlooked advantage is the value of having friends across different generations. Friendships that span age groups allow people to share wisdom, experiences, and fresh perspectives. Younger women can gain valuable life and career advice from older friends, while older friends can benefit from the energy, optimism, and modern viewpoints of younger ones. This cross-generational exchange fosters empathy, understanding, and growth, strengthening both individuals and communities. It also highlights the importance of women lifting each other up, whether through friendships, mentorships, or professional networks.

As we reflect on International Women’s Day, it’s clear that female friendships are about much more than just companionship. They are powerful drivers of success, mental and physical well-being, and personal growth. So, whether it’s an old friend who has stood by you for years or a new connection that sparks inspiration, investing in meaningful friendships is one of the best things we can do for ourselves.

After all, when women support each other, incredible things happen!

Author: Naomi King, Accountant in our UK office

 

[1] https://hbr.org/2019/02/research-men-and-women-need-different-kinds-of-networks-to-succeed

Catch the spirit of International Women’s Day with Belasko!

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Ahead of International Women’s Day this weekend, we asked our employees to share the female role models who inspire them the most. From trailblazing leaders and historical figures to mothers, sisters, daughters and colleagues, their responses reflect the incredible impact that women have on our lives, workplaces, and society.

View the video here

Murielle Nya

Client Service Lead
Based in: Luxembourg

I refer to all women who have shaped our history as they paved the way for future generations and therefore all stand out as an inspiration to make the world a better place.

Jessica Savery

Fund and Corporate Officer
Based in: Luxembourg

The female leader who inspires me most is Emmeline Pankhurst for her fundamental work in the women’s suffragette movement.

Meriem Sala

Legal and Corporate Officer
Based in: Luxembourg

My role model is Christine Lagarde, a pioneering leader who has broken barriers in global finance. As the first woman to head both the European Central Bank and the IMF, she embodies the spirit of ‘who run the world, girls!’, inspiring women to lead and shape the future.

Karolina Czerwonka

Fund and Corporate Officer
Based in: Luxembourg

The female leader who inspires me is Maria Sklodowska Curie as she was the first woman to be awarded a Nobel Prize.

Callum Wilson

Senior Legal & Corporate Officer
Based in: Luxembourg

My own Mum: The embodiment of empathy, compassion, love, dedication and is strong beyond all measure.

Patti Smith: A trailblazing powerhouse who laid foundations for men and women alike to express themselves through art, music and writings.

Philippe Paul

Head of Investor Onboarding
Based in: Luxembourg

While I don’t have a specific name in mind, I would like to recognise the unknown women, those women we don’t talk about. The nameless women who deserve all the praise but never get it – so I’m taking a moment to think about them!

Peter Toft

Risk and Compliance Director
Based in: Luxembourg

I think several things make Serena Williams stand out as a role model. Firstly her work and training ethic and discipline that make her one of the greatest female athletes. But also, maybe even more, she had the mental capacity to come back after many setbacks, not only being injured but also discriminated against.

Greg McKenzie

Country Head of Luxembourg
Based in: Luxembourg

My grandmother, Estelle, is my female role model—quite possibly the hardest-working person I’ve ever known. Despite limited means, she raised five children while balancing countless responsibilities with unwavering resilience, dedication, and grace. Those values have been a guiding influence throughout my life.

Nick McHardy

Head of Fund Operations
Based in: London

Dame Judi Dench has made a massive contribution to the Arts through hard work, humility and her respect for others.

Ed Green

CEO
Based in: UK

The female leader who inspires me is Queen Elizabeth for her unflappable demeanour and for holding her own with fifteen different prime ministers.

Paul Lawrence

Group Managing Director
Based in: Jersey

Female leader who inspires me is Margaret Thatcher. She was more than just the first female UK Prime Minister, she was the longest serving Prime Minister of the 20th Century.  As a result she not only transformed the UK political landscape, she put the UK economy on a different trajectory by leading free market principles and the privatisation a number of state owned entities.  She was also a major contributor to the end of the Cold War.

She was often referred to as the “Iron Lady”, displaying the unwavering determination and resilience that would serve as an example to us all and undoubtedly served as a role model for women paving the way for many to follow her example.

Sandeep Lamba

Head of Fund Operations
Based in: Jersey

God cannot be everywhere and therefore he created my Mother. Mrs Jasbir Bholaram Lamba, my mother, inspires me with her humble take on life – to have patience, keep faith, never give up on your focus in life, maintain harmony, be God loving and always respect family and your elders. No wonder we call our home Mother Earth.

Adrian Franklin

Head of Operations
Based in: Jersey

Woman who inspires me most is Alice Franklin. Alice Franklin is my niece, and is a Graduate of the University of East Anglia. Alice has recently published her debut novel called Life Hacks for a Little Alien which is a heartwarming story about the linguistic awakening of a neurodiverse girl and her experiences in life. It is a very funny and relatable book that is a fantastic and inspirational achievement for Alice.

Liliana McDonnell

Financial Controller
Based in: Jersey

Female leader who inspires me most is Amal Clooney for her fearless advocacy!

Marylin Ajanaku

Operations Project Manager
Based in: UK

Female leader who inspires me most is Bozoma Saint John.

Alice Heald

Head of Marketing
Based in: Jersey

Female leader who inspires me most is Michelle Obama as she is a beacon of inspiration, proving that leadership is about resilience, leading by example and empowering others. A favourite quote of mine she once said is: “Don’t ever underestimate the importance you can have, because history has shown us that courage can be contagious, and hope can take on a life of its own.”

Alex Le Prevost

Associate Director
Based in: Guernsey

My female role models are my mother, wife and two daughters.

My mother for being the ultimate rock to our family through thick and thin, my wife for being a general superstar and fantastic role model to our kids and my two girls, who navigate their young lives with a smile and determination.

Hannah Dunnell

Guernsey Managing Director
Based in: Guernsey

Margaret Thatcher is my female role model, not necessarily for her policy or decisions (or shoulder pads for that matter) but because she paved a way for women being respected and accepted in senior leadership roles and exemplified the impact a female perspective can have in a multitude of situations.

Dom Rice

Manager
Based in: Guernsey

I chose my mum as my female role model because she has always inspired me by her grit and determination to tackle all life’s challenges head on.

Keeleigh Le Tissier

Senior Manager
Based in: Guernsey

I chose Hannah Dunnell (our Guernsey MD) as my role model as since I have been in the finance industry, she has always set a great example of empowering and educating women, and I would never have achieved what I have if it wasn’t for her leading the way.

Anna Robinson

HR Administrator
Based in: UK

My sisters inspire me in so many ways. Esmé’s resilience and strength drive her to do the best in everything she puts her mind to, while Amy’s hard work, supportive nature, and unwavering encouragement uplifts those she loves. Together, they remind people they are capable and worthy of anything they set their mind to, and they inspire me to be the best version of myself every day.

Georgi Krumov

Junior Accountant
Based in: UK

My mum inspires me as she has proven many times that anything is possible and your dreams can come true if you really desire it.

Kwesi Francis

CDD Team Lead
Based in: UK

I chose Dr Gladys West as an inspirational woman because her pioneering work in mathematical modelling was crucial to the development of GPS technology. Her contributions have had a profound impact on modern navigation.

Mariam Sunmonu

CDD Analyst
Based in: UK

My Mum was the true definition of a virtuous woman. She showed me how to be a great mum, supportive and loving spouse, trustworthy friend, kind & hospitable and most importantly she led me to God.

My Older sister inspires me by her act of service, her resilience through life’s challenges as a sole carer of four kids who also manages her business, she discharges her roles effortlessly. She is also very hospitable and has impeccable entrepreneurship skills. She is now my mum and my best friend.

Nassim Ait-Kaci

Junior Accountant
Based in: UK

I chose Katniss Everdeen as she embodies courage, resilience & selflessness. She defies tyranny, protects the vulnerable and sparks a revolution. Willing to die without fear, her love for her family fuels her bravery, proving that even against all odds, one voice is enough to ignite change. She inspires defiance, hope and strength!

Sugees Mahen

Head of Fund Accounting
Based in: UK

My wife is my greatest source inspiration, where she supports me 100% and doesn’t judge me for anything I do.

Join us in celebrating the resilience, strength, and inspiration of these remarkable women as we continue to champion gender equality and empowerment.

Happy International Women’s Day from Belasko!

A Day in the Life of a Working Mum by Liliana McDonnell

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Juggling a career and motherhood is no easy task and here, our very own Liliana McDonnell, Financial Controller in our Jersey office, shares how she balances her role at Belasko with her most important job of all—being a mummy…

Being a full-time working mum isn’t an easy task but being blessed with my beautiful toddler (who is 3 years old) and knowing I’m able to give her the best possible start in life, makes me extremely grateful.

Here’s a little glimpse into an average day in our lives…

Rise and shine!

Most weekdays start with a 5-6am wake-up — I’m definitely a morning person! My brain feels the sharpest and I have the most energy first thing in the morning (plus, those early bedtime snuggles with my little one are something I live for).

I try to make it to the gym at least three times a week (though life doesn’t always cooperate). On the days my husband does the nursery drop-off, I lay out my daughter’s clothes the night before to make the mornings run smoother. More often than not, both of them are still fast asleep when I leave for my early start so I give them each a kiss before heading out the door.

In the office before 8am

Having the flexibility to work 8-4 instead of the traditional 9-5 means I can get into the office early (there’s nothing more productive than a quiet office!) and leave before the 5pm rush if I’m on the nursery pick-up duties.

My day always starts with a peppermint tea (yes, even before coffee!). Once I’m logged on, my first priority is reviewing the team calendar and workload to ensure we’re on track with any upcoming or due deliverables. After a quick catch-up with my boss to flag any potentially urgent matters, I always make time to check in with the team, ensuring they are happy with their deliverables for the day before diving into my own work

Busy day in the office!

My workdays absolutely fly by! Working in a busy, challenging environment allows me to thrive, there’s absolutely no time for clock-watching, and before I know it, it’s time to log off and switch off for the day.

Nursey pick-up…

No matter how many pick up’s I’ve done, I’m always just as excited as the very first one to grab my little one, she is a full-on mummy’s girl and regularly reminds me, “You’re my best friend, Mummy.” It’s the little moments like these that make all the hard work worth it!

After lots of excitement and cuddles, we say goodbye to her friends and head home. We’re extremely lucky to live by the sea, with a beautiful marina just steps away from our door. On lighter evenings, we love taking a walk along the coast. My little one adores seeing all the boats, and a well-deserved ice cream treat after her busy day at nursery. It is hard work being a three-year-old!

5-5.30pm — Home time

This is where the evening madness begins! I’m the sole cook in the house, so while my husband is making his way home, I’m juggling dinner prep and bath-time planning.

My husband is usually home by 5.30pm and takes over bath duties while I dive into full chef mode. I absolutely love cooking and find it therapeutic (most of the time, anyway!).

6pm — Dinner time

Yes, we like to eat early in our house. Our little one tends to enjoy a second dinner with us (she’s a foodie like her Mama!) and loves filling us in on her day, usually involving lots of arts and crafts and a story or two (featuring a mermaid or a unicorn).

6.30/7pm — Time for bed

As a very busy three-year-old, bedtime comes early and it includes a good book (or four!). Our little bookworm has quite the collection, and with her love of mermaids, there’s guaranteed to be at least one mermaid tale in the mix.

I usually handle bedtime, it’s honestly my favourite part of the day. After my husband gives his goodnight cuddles, it’s time for me and my exhausted little love to snuggle up until she drifts off into dreamland.

Time out…

Once my little one is fast asleep, it’s time for some much-needed grown-up time with my husband. We catch up on our day, but mostly, we end up chatting about our daughter’s day and all her adventures!

I love to wind down with a good book (I’m a sucker for a thriller!) and, although I do enjoy a little social media scroll, I try to be strict with myself and prioritise reading before bed. Meanwhile, my husband gets his football fix (I’ll happily give that a miss).

Bedtime

I’m rarely awake past 10pm — beauty sleep is essential! After a final check on my little sleeping beauty (and a few extra kisses while trying not to wake her!), I’m off to bed to re-energise and reset before we do it all again tomorrow, good night!

Hats off to all the working parents out there – you are absolute superheroes! Balancing careers, family life, and everything in between isn’t easy, but we do it and we do it with a smile (and the occasional wine or five!!).

Author: Liliana McDonnell, Financial Controller, Jersey

Sharing the Load: A Win-Win for Work and Home

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Happy International Women’s Day! Let’s talk about something we all deal with—household chores and childcare. We all know that juggling work and home life can be stressful and unpredictable, and likely to end in someone crying. But the good news is: when responsibilities at home are shared more equally, everyone wins—at work and in life!

A fairer split of chores and parenting duties isn’t just good for families; it’s great for businesses too. When both partners pitch in, women can grab those well-earned career opportunities, and men get to experience the joys (and occasional terror) of full-on parenting. Plus, companies benefit from happier, more balanced employees—what’s not to love?

Luxembourg is leading by example with its fantastic parental leave policy. Each parent gets six months of paid leave, and it’s a “use it or lose it” deal—so no sneakily handing it off to your other half while you ‘focus on work.’ This means more dads are stepping up, embracing the baby-led weaning, Bluey marathons, and the art of assembling baby toys with the patience of a saint. Think of it like diversifying your investments—spreading the load reduces risk and increases long-term gains (in this case, a stronger bond with your child and a well-balanced family life).

“I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to take parental leave for both my daughters, with each leave being tailored differently to meet the needs of my family at that specific time. It allowed me to be present for my girls while helping my wife transition back to work. In today’s world and the quest for equality, fathers stepping up for diaper duty is one small step at helping us achieve this goal – just don’t expect a few months watching Netflix!” – says John Russell, Director in Belasko Luxembourg Office

Much like investment funds, a well-balanced family strategy relies on proper asset allocation. If one person takes on all the work, you’re looking at an overleveraged portfolio doomed to collapse under pressure. But if both partners contribute equally, you get a steady return on investment—whether it’s bedtime stories, first steps, or finally mastering the art of installing a car seat without a meltdown. And let’s face it, investing time in family pays dividends that no hedge fund can match.

At the end of the day, fostering a work culture that supports shared responsibilities at home helps everyone. So, let’s celebrate progress, encourage equality, and make sure that fairness at home translates to fairness at work. After all, teamwork makes the dream work—both in the office and at home.

Author: Karolina Czerwonka, Fund and Corporate Officer based in Luxembourg


Calling All Wonder Women: Empowering the Next Generation to Lead with Strength

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The world is evolving rapidly, presenting both challenges and opportunities. Yet one thing remains certain: the future belongs to those bold enough to shape it.

This week, as we celebrate International Women’s Day, we call upon the Wonder Women of tomorrow – not the fictional heroes we’ve read about in comic books, but the real women who are breaking barriers, inspiring others, and paving the way for future generations.

It’s time for every woman to step into her power, trust her potential, and lead with unwavering strength. True Wonder Women don’t need capes or superhuman abilities. What they require is resilience, determination, and an unwavering belief in themselves. These are the women who rise above adversity, challenge the odds, and relentlessly pursue their goals.

Every woman who challenges societal norms, who refuses to be held back, and who forges her own path is a Wonder Woman. Their journeys remind us that while success is never without struggle, perseverance makes it possible.

When one woman rises, she uplifts others along the way, creating a ripple of strength and inspiration that can change the world. Empowerment is not just a concept; it is the foundation for progress. It is about equipping young women with the tools, opportunities, and confidence to believe in themselves, chase their dreams, and overcome obstacles. This is the legacy we must build—one where every girl knows she is capable of leading, making her mark, and shaping the future.

Now is the time to lead by example. The next generation needs mentors, role models, and advocates who will guide, support, and inspire them to step confidently into leadership roles. When we rise together, we create a stronger, more inclusive world where every woman has the opportunity to thrive.

This is a call to action. The world is waiting for you to step forward. Now is the time to embrace your inner Wonder Woman, to take the lead with confidence, compassion, and purpose. By doing so, you will not only transform your own life but also inspire others to do the same. Together, we can build a future where every girl discovers her own inner strength, reaches her fullest potential, and leads with the power she was always meant to wield.

And don’t forget… who run the world? GIRLS!

Author: Meriem Sala, Legal and Corporate Officer based in Luxembourg

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Honouring our Power Women at Belasko

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As a business, we’re proud to celebrate International Women’s Day on 8 March and in the lead up to the day, use this week to highlight the incredible women across our team. Throughout the week, we’ll be sharing their stories, experiences, advice, and insights on the topics that matter most to them—both personally and professionally.

International Women’s Day is a global celebration of progress, achievements, and the ongoing journey toward gender equality. At Belasko, we are committed to fostering an inclusive workplace where every individual, regardless of gender, has the opportunity to thrive and reach their full potential.

We recognise and celebrate the invaluable contributions of the women in our business and the wider community. Their dedication, creativity, and leadership drive our success and inspire us to continually strive for excellence. We’re proud to support initiatives that empower women, providing opportunities for growth, development, and leadership.

Our commitment to gender equality is unwavering. We believe that a diverse and inclusive workplace is essential for innovation and progress. We’re dedicated to implementing policies and practices that support equal opportunities, eliminate biases, and support work-life balance for all employees.

We also acknowledge the broader challenges in achieving gender balance in leadership, particularly within financial services. While we continue to work towards increasing female representation in senior roles, we’re delighted to be actively identifying and nurturing the next generation of female leaders within Belasko. Through mentorship, training, and development initiatives, we aim to empower them with the skills and confidence to step into leadership positions.

As we mark this important occasion, we celebrate the achievements of women across all sectors and acknowledge the challenges that remain. We’re inspired by the resilience and strength of women who continue to break barriers and pave the way for future generations

Join us this week in celebrating International Women’s Day as we shine a light on the remarkable women of Belasko. Together, we can continue to champion gender equality and build a more inclusive and diverse future for all.

Author: Katie Bodman, Head of Learning and Development based in the UK