In the pursuit of beauty and aesthetic enhancements, financial control plays a pivotal role in making informed decisions, aligned with personal goals.
Meet Nada and PLIM
I am Nada Aliredha, pioneering entrepreneur, fintech expert and international businesswoman, continuing to make my mark with the launch of my latest venture: PLIM, a FinTech platform offering offers a “Buy Now, Pay Later” credit service and online marketplace designed specifically for the medical aesthetics industry. With over 663+ clinics on boarded across the UK, PLIM have prioritised the financial needs of both the clinics and their patients whilst providing successful payment solutions within this industry.
As a global businesswoman and now CEO, I have a strong passion for helping female business owners flourish. I honed my experience in a variety of fields and contributed my expertise to several professional boards. I am a member of Irthi Crafts Council, Nama Woman & Advancement Establishment, Sharjah Business Women Council and also proudly worked as a part of the UN Women Alumni Association, to advance female empowerment and promote women’s rights and gender equality.
The gender gap in UK FinTech
In the realm of UK tech, women have long been overlooked and underrepresented, facing significant barriers in accessing opportunities within a male-dominated industry. While progress has been made, there’s still a challenging journey ahead. The presence of leading women reminds us of outdated perceptions and paving the way for a more inclusive future.
Witnessing women thrive in tech, despite the odds stacked against them, is not only refreshing but also inspiring and motivating. However, despite shifting attitudes towards gender diversity in the tech industry, a critical issue persists: investors. Securing funding as a woman in tech remains a formidable challenge.
Unfortunately, investors often succumb to stereotyping. This makes it harder for women-led tech start-ups to gain traction. As a result, less than 1% of all UK venture funding is awarded to all-female teams. Unfortunately, this is a challenge I’ve personally encountered. I was told I will never be able to raise funds without a male partner. Funding is obviously crucial when it comes to building your reputation in the business world. As such, I had to adapt to change and work with the prejudices in the industry to achieve my goal. The lack of belief from those able to give me the funding meant that I was forced to partner up to prove my own abilities.
The emergence of Femtech
While strides have been made, achieving complete gender equality in tech remains an uphill battle.
Increasing the representation of women in leadership positions, such as Chief Technology Officers, could have a transformative impact on both the industry and gender equality. Implementing quotas for female developers within tech teams and ensuring female perspectives are incorporated into tech products are both steps in the right direction.
The emergence of Femtech is setting the stage for meaningful change.
To encourage more women to pursue careers in tech, we must start at the grassroots level: schooling. Women are often discouraged from entering the tech field due to limited role models and stereotypes. We must dismantle these stereotypes and promote female role models within the industry. In doing so, we can inspire the next generation of women in tech.
Additionally, providing incentives such as job security and tailored packages for women in tech can further bolster their participation.
I’ve worked with female CEOs who struggle to balance home and work. This is not because they are incapable, but because they lack the support. The ones that succeed (and are happy) are the ones that don’t apologise for being imbalanced, and who ask for help.
A better, attainable future
Achieving gender equality in tech is a collective responsibility, and with continued improvements and changes, it’s an attainable goal.
It’s essential to recognise the gender gap that exists within the FinTech sector. Women, both as consumers and professionals in the fintech sector, find themselves underrepresented and underserved.
PLIM is bridging this gap, within organisational and industry levels. My team at PLIM is diverse, with 60% of my team being women in senior positions. As we progress to a business world with a growing female population, resilience, and determination to prove attitudes wrong should motivate you to achieve the goals you set out for yourself and your business.
- Fintech & Insurtech
