Sheer determination brought success

Elisabeth Scott encountered many challenges on her way to the top. The first was at a meeting that followed an internship she had completed while at university.

After working with the European equity team of a mid-sized fund management firm for six weeks in the mid-1980s, she felt she had made a valuable contribution.

When she asked the head of the team if he would be prepared to consider her for a full-time role when she graduated, his response was typically chauvinistic of the times: 'But Elisabeth, you will be far better in the kitchen, having babies and getting married.'

'None of the obstacles I have encountered since then have been as clearly stated or as obvious, but certainly the difference in working style of men and women has, I'm sure, held me back to an extent,' she said.

Her role models have included several senior women heading departments when she started out on her career. Ms Scott said sheer determination and hard work got her where she is today.

'I am continuing to learn how to be more assertive in expressing my views and ambitions,' she said, and added that the value of a good network cannot be underestimated.