A Leader's Journey: Embracing Uncertainty & Growth in Financial Leadership

With nearly a decade of experience in private banking, Victoria Ursell is a dynamic leader known for her high standards and straightforward approach. She excels in guiding high-profile clients through complex financial journeys with tailored, relationship-led solutions and strategic insight.

In an insightful interaction with Global Woman Leader Magazine, Victoria shared her insights on a pivotal moment that shaped her career, the evolution of her motivations and goals, key lessons in finance, and how she balances leadership responsibilities with personal well-being. She also shares sound advice for women leaders on building resilience and seizing opportunities in today’s fast-evolving business landscape.

How have your motivations and goals evolved over the course of your career? 

Throughout my career, my motivations and goals have changed significantly. In the early stages, I was highly focused on personal performance and achieving tangible results, particularly in revenue generation papers, especially in banks. I found light targets and motivating and rewarding measurable results. Over time, however, I came to value a different kind of contribution - addressing other people to succeed. Now I find greater purpose in creating an environment in which others can grow and perform the best. This change has expanded my perspective and helped me recognize the lasting impact of supporting and enabling people throughout the organization.

Can you share a specific moment that significantly shaped your career? What impact did it have on your professional journey? 

A defining moment of my career was to realize that success does not always follow a linear path. When I started in the financial services sector for almost 15 years, I had a clear progression plan. However, the dynamic nature of the industry has taught me that flexibility and adaptability are much more valuable than rigid planning. Career growth usually depends on aligning itself with the evolving needs of its organization and the demands of change in the global market. This mindset has opened doors for several international opportunities. Starting in London, I embraced papers in the Middle East, North America and Latin America. Each movement was driven by strategic business requirements and allowed me to gain various market experience, expand my leadership skills, and deepen my understanding of global finances. These transitions significantly shaped my professional journey and reinforced the importance of being responsive, mobile and open to changes in the financial services sector.

Which key lessons have influenced your approach to decision-making as a finance leader? 

Three key lessons shaped my approach to finance decision making. First, always anchor decisions in the data - understand what the facts indicate and compare this with the initial instincts. Second, allow time for reflection; ATTENSIVE ACTION is more effective than a reactive response. Finally, most challenges are not totally new. It is often valuable to explore other people's experience on their network who may have faced similar situations and may offer practical ideas or perspectives.

How has your leadership style evolved over the years? What qualities are essential for effective leadership? 

My leadership style continues to evolve as I earn more experience. I believe that effective leadership requires the ability to clearly communicate the goal, align teams with short -term goals and long -term strategy and inspire actions through significant narratives. Create a shared understanding of "why" is crucial. I also value open -hand feedback as essential for growth and performance. Leadership, for me, is a continuous learning journey - one that adapts over time as it remains grounded in clarity, communication and confidence.

How do you navigate the demands of a leadership role while maintaining a healthy work-life balance?

Honestly, until this point, there has been very little balance. I have committed fully to work, as I love it. I see the role I hold as such a privilege, and it has brought me a great sense of purpose and satisfaction. However, my husband has a demanding job leading the investment team at a Venture Capital fund, and we’re expecting our first child, so things will have to change. I have no intention of taking a ‘back seat’ in my career, so while balance will be necessary, pushing forward is as important as it’s ever been. Planning and communication are absolutely vital. We want to teach our children that enjoying your work is a good thing; we don’t ‘go to the office to pay the bills’; we go because we love it, and it’s a part of who we are.

What advice would you give to women who may feel discouraged or face setbacks in their careers? How can they build resilience? 

No one has had a linear route up the ladder. Recognising this is key. When something doesn’t go to plan, take stock, reflect on where you need to take accountability, consider how you could do things differently next time, and then go again. The ability to keep going is what sets people up for success. I also believe that viewing feedback as a tool for improvement, rather than something negative, is an important mindset shift that really helps along the way.

Message To Aspiring Women Finance Leaders on Seizing Opportunities

Seek broad exposure and experience, which may involve changing roles relatively frequently. I’ve only worked for two organisations, but I’ve held six different positions during that time. Most importantly, it’s essential to understand the value you bring to the company; it can be risky if you cannot clearly see your impact. If you identify a gap in your experience, take the initiative to fill it - for me, this has included pursuing additional qualifications and mentorship along the way. I have always used three key measures to evaluate my career: first, am I learning? Second, do I feel fairly compensated? And finally, am I happy? Ideally, all three of these criteria should be met, but you should aim to satisfy at least two at all times.