2025 marks a truly special milestone for us — 20 years since I first took the plunge and founded Citywealth. Two decades ago, it wasn’t easy for a woman to launch a business in the financial sector, and there were certainly obstacles along the way. But I was fortunate to have mentors and supporters who believed in me — none more so than Joshua Rubenstein, partner at leading New York law firm Katten Muchin Rosenman LLP, whom we still fondly call our “guardian angel"
 |
| with Joshua Rubenstein in 2016 |
 |
| 9 years later in 2025 |
Recognising the best in the wealth sector
The journey has been long, sometimes rocky, but always rewarding. Today, I’m immensely proud of our six annual Citywealth Awards programmes.
Flagship awards such as the Magic
Circle Awards, IFC Awards, Brand & Marketing Awards and Future Leaders Awards became
fixtures in the private wealth calendar, each spotlighting individuals and
firms shaping the industry’s future.
Celebrating Powerwomen since 2014
I’m particularly proud of our Powerwomen Awards, which began modestly with a lunch back in 2014 - with Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Diane Abbott MP on the panel - and have since grown into an international celebration of women’s leadership and success.
 |
| Powerwomen Awards 2014 with Lady Edwina Grosvenor and Diane Abbott MP |
 | |
|
Mingling with sheep
One of my fondest memories came in 2016, when I was honoured with the Freedom of the City of London — a distinction granted to individuals recognised for their impact in the City. The tradition, dating back to medieval times, famously includes the right to drive sheep across a London bridge - a symbolic and rather quaint reminder of our city’s rich heritage.
 |
| At Guildhall - having solemnly promised "to keep The City away from harm" and "warn the Mayor of any conspiracies made against the Queen's Peace" |
 |
| Dressed as “Poison Ivy” for the sheepdriving ceremony |
Hot panel discussions
A few years later, we launched the Citywealth Forum, bringing together global thought leaders to debate the issues shaping the wealth sector. We were amused to note that our 2024 keynote speaker, Lord Brady, was awarded a life peerage shortly after his appearance, while Dame Penny Mordaunt, our 2025 keynote and honorary Citywealth Powerwoman, received her damehood in the King’s Honours List just weeks later — sheer coincidence, of course!
 |
The Rt Hon Sir Graham Brady MP as he was known then |
 |
Our very popular speaker Dame Penny Mordaunt |
Expansion across The Atlantic
Encouraged by our success in London, we’re now taking Citywealth
to new horizons. In 2026, the Citywealth Forum USA will launch,
following the success of our Powerwomen Awards USA, introduced in 2022.
Our international growth has already been recognised with a Gold Stevie
Award for Achievement in International Expansion, and I’m honoured
to be nominated for the Global Expansion by Women Entrepreneurs Award in
2025.
Awards handed out and awards received
We love celebrating others’ achievements — over the past 20 years, we’ve
presented more than 3,000 awards. But we also treasure the recognition
we’ve received: eleven Stevie Awards and a London Chamber of Commerce
& Industry SME London Business Award, among others.
The Zoo-Do
To mark our 20th anniversary, we returned to where it all began — London
Zoo — for a spectacular celebration. More than 200 guests, friends, and
long-time supporters joined us for a night of fun and nostalgia. Surrounded by
the hum of wildlife near the Reptile House and flanked by life-like bear and
tiger figures, the evening had a playful energy and a touch of wild charm —
perfectly Citywealth.
 |
| Enjoying a glass of champagne in the company of a bear |
The Lady Mayor Show
And the celebrations don’t end there. This November, we’ll continue marking our anniversary at the Lady Mayor Show. On 8th November we were riding high on the top deck of our very own Citywealth-sponsored bus. But more about that soon....
Comments
Post a Comment