International Women’s Day 2026 – Meet Vi Davda

Today, meet Vi Davda, Managing Director, Head of DCM Bond Origination.

What does International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme ‘#GivetoGain’ mean to you?

International Women’s Day, and this year’s theme of #GivetoGain, is meaningful to me because it’s not just about celebrating progress, but about active contribution. Gender balance isn’t simply a matter of fairness. It’s critical to economic growth, innovation and resilience. Diverse perspectives strengthen decision-making and ultimately lead to better outcomes.

IWD2026 is an important moment to recognise those driving progress every day, not just women, but both the men and women who champion equity and enable all genders to contribute fully across every aspect of life. Personally, mentoring and supporting emerging talent gives me a great deal of energy. Investing in others strengthens the broader organisation, and to me, that truly captures the essence of #GivetoGain. 

What defining moments led you to a career in finance?  

There wasn’t one single defining moment, but my parents have undoubtedly been my greatest influence. They always fostered a mindset in me of “why not you?”. That instilled confidence but also accountability. If an opportunity presents itself, step forward and be prepared.

Studying Economics at LSE reinforced my belief that banking plays a fundamental role in a strong economy. Working within a bank, and alongside banks, building societies and corporates as clients, allows me to see tangible value creation at scale. Whether it’s supporting lending into the UK economy, backing sectors aligned with the national growth agenda, or advising on sustainability and resilience in uncertain markets, the impact is real. That sense of purpose continues to motivate me.

Throughout my career, I’ve tried to stay curious, to keep learning, remain open to challenge and step into responsibility when it arises. This philosophy has been my north star.

How important do you think representation is, and what more do you think could be done for women in finance?

Representation at the top matters enormously, as it shapes ambition. Seeing women in senior leadership roles makes a difference, not just symbolically, but culturally. That said, sustainable progress must extend across the entire organisation. I’ve been fortunate to work with exceptional managers, colleagues and mentors throughout my career. This included women who advanced by lifting others; as well as men who actively created stretch opportunities and advocated for growth. If we want to accelerate progress, we need to continue focusing on structural opportunity, i.e. sponsorship, accountability and realistic pathways for progression.

How can colleagues and peers, regardless of gender, support a more inclusive environment? 

I’m proud to work for a bank that is actively prioritising diversity. Today, that commitment is embedded in leadership expectations and talent development across the organisation.

As a mother of two young children, I’m very aware that high performance and personal responsibility can coexist. Environments built on trust and flexibility enable people to perform at their best. We can (and will) create cultures that support people through different seasons of life, without compromising ambition or excellence.

What advice would you give to inspire other women to pursue a career in finance?

Take a long-term view. Building your own brand and trusted client relationships takes time. It requires consistency, and sustained delivery. As the saying goes - it’s better to be consistently strong than occasionally excellent!

I’m also a firm believer in marginal gains. Small, consistent actions compound over time. If you can improve something by even 1% each week, as a leader, a client partner, a colleague or a parent, it adds up to meaningful impact. And importantly, ask yourself: why not you?