As part of our series celebrating women in leadership throughout March and April, we caught up with Tina Coates.

Tina is Chief Communications Officer at the Financial Services Compensation Scheme (FSCS). Prior to that, her distinguished career included a significant stint as Director of Corporate Affairs at FTSE-listed Metro Bank Plc, as well as senior communications roles at Nationwide Building Society, RSA and in agency, among others.

Read about Tina’s career so far, what inspired her, and the advice she’d give to young women in the field below.

Looking back on your career, what do you consider your greatest achievement so far – and why does it stand out to you?

For me, my greatest achievement was being appointed to the Executive Committee of a UK-listed bank and, most recently, at the Financial Services Compensation Scheme.

It demonstrates that CEOs and Boards increasingly recognise and value the contribution corporate affairs and communications professionals can actually make to their strategy, decision-making, delivery, and success.

Who or what has been the biggest inspiration in your career, and how has this shaped your leadership style and professional journey?

I’d say my biggest inspirations are the trailblazing women and feminists – Gloria Steinem, Germaine Greer, Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie, the Spice Girls (all of them), Beyoncé, Christine Lagarde, and Clare Parsons (joint founder of Lansons). I could go on...

They have all proved themselves to be powerhouses in their chosen fields and smashed through (or more likely just ignored) any glass ceilings. They have all taught me to be brave, use my voice, take up space, and be demanding when I need to be.

If you could give one piece of advice to your younger self, what would it be and why?

It would be to believe the words of my late father earlier: “You are as good as anyone and better than most.”

What advice would you give to young women aspiring to lead in the communications industry?

An old boss of mine once told me, “In business, cream doesn’t rise to the top.”

That stuck with me ever since. I think too many women work hard, deliver fantastically, and hope that their talent will be spotted and rewarded. My advice is to build your network, be the person who gets things done, offer to get involved even if it’s not your responsibility, be easy to work with, and don’t be afraid to ask for what you want.

What more can be done to support and elevate women into leadership roles in our field?

A lot more could be done. I think specifically, as senior women in the industry, we should all look to nurture the women in our teams and networks where we can, helping to give them confidence, fostering diversity of thought, background, and outlook, and taking a chance on raw and emerging talent