8 March 2023 –

This International Women’s Day, we asked Milestones Trustee Shamraz Begum to share a little information about herself, including why she chose to become a trustee for our charity, what International Women’s Day means to her, and how she’s making a difference for diversity, inclusion and equity…

In a nutshell, please tell us about yourself, and what attracted you to taking on a role as a Trustee for Milestones

“I am a Leadership Coaching and Capability Partner at Natwest Group where I also Co-Lead the Racial Equality Taskforce. I am committed to driving an equal and fair society, challenging inequalities, learning through research and lived experiences to help dismantle the barriers faced by underrepresented and disadvantaged communities. We all have a collective responsibility to come together and help overcome the barriers to co-create effective solutions and enable everyone to thrive in a society where we all belong. Milestones Trust’s purpose and values sit at the core of what I believe and am passionate about doing.”

What does International Women’s Day mean to you?

“Everyone regardless of ability should be given equal opportunity to thrive and live their life to the fullest! That’s easy to say, right, but in reality, it doesn’t happen. Culturally as a Pakistani Muslim women, I face barriers every day; biased views, misogynistic attitudes, and far too often others project their stereotypical views on me, telling me how I should or shouldn’t be. It’s tough because you feel like you have to justify yourself and prove your ability constantly. It’s hard work helping others to unlearn the unconscious biases and stereotypes their brains have become accustomed to.

“IWD is a celebration of our uniqueness, a reminder of our strength, our compassion, resilience and determination, recognising the contributions women continue to make globally. Importantly, it’s a call to action to accelerate gender parity and the right to gender equality, driving change, and advocating every woman’s right to achieve their full potential.”

In your day job, you work for Natwest Group – could you tell us a little about the Racial Equality Taskforce and how you’re involved?

“The Taskforce was set up by Alison Rose to help understand the barriers faced by Black, Asian and ethnically diverse customers, colleagues and communities. Take a look at our recent progress report ‘Banking on Racial Equality – two years on‘.

“I am leading the Customer Commitments and have been working with Fair4All Finance on new research into how ethnicity influences access to financial products and services in the UK. The research aims to fill current gaps in understanding and explore practical short, medium and long-term solutions to current inequalities, such as:

• Fraud victims from minority ethnic groups are more than twice as likely not to get their money returned compared to White fraud victims.
• 60% of Asian and 63% of Black households have no savings, compared to 33% of White households.
• Black African, Black Caribbean and Bangladeshi groups are 4x, 3.5x and 2.5x more likely to be denied a loan respectively compared to White groups.

“The goal is to collaborate with other financial services providers and leading banks to explore how we can be more inclusive of people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds. Collectively we will use the insights to co-create the development of well-designed and effective solutions. Solutions that increase the financial inclusion of these communities.”

What makes you proud to be a woman working as a Trustee for the social care sector?

“Firstly being an ethnically diverse woman (already underrepresented in this sector at this level) will help others believe they can be aspire to achieve this. Secondly when an organisation is diverse from its top teams it tells you a lot about their passion and advocacy of diversity, inclusion and equity, and the value and richness derived from that diversity – I am proud to have the opportunity to advocate and be a role model to others.”

Have you faced any barriers in your life or career so far and, if so, how did you overcome them?

“I have fallen down so many times, at times pushed and at times made to kneel to give in to what others project that I should be because the fight just becomes so overbearing. Every time I have fallen I can tell you this… I have stood right back up feeling stronger every time. I have cried though and taken myself to dark places and lost the will to go on at times – it’s been a tough journey and it still is. My belief that I have a purpose to drive change and champion the potential of others continues to be my strength. I would not want younger girls and women to experience the failings of culture, society and others that I have had to endure. I was not going to become another stereotype and have been determined ever since to break down cultural norms.”

Tell us about a woman that particularly inspires you…

“My Mother – she is my absolute role model. Coming to the UK at 16, raising six beautifully powerful unique women in a challenging culture with limited access to support. We underestimate the challenges and barriers our mothers faced, and if we are finding it tough now can you imagine what it was like for them? Their resilience is why we are here and why I am talking from this platform today!”

What would you say to a young woman thinking about their career path?

“You can be anything and everything you want to be. Follow your dreams and ambitions and they will become reality. Believe in yourself, stand tall and you stride into every room like you own it. You are beautifully unique in every way – let that beauty shine through and never be afraid to be your authentic beautiful self. You are remarkable, now go and make it happen!”