Meet Ana Diaz, named one of 35 Women Under 35 brightest young business leaders in Britain

Meet Ana Diaz, from Mexico City, a senior executive at Henderson Rowe and Rayliant Global Advisors, she’s been honoured Management Today’s annual list of 35 exceptional women in business under 35 this 2020.

Ana graduated at the top of her business school, Instituto Tecnologico de Monterrey, then gained a scholarship  to do a master’s degree at London’s Westminster University. After working for Santander Bank as a credit risk manager for corporate clients, she joined investment firm Henderson Rowe in 2013 and now heads up its operations. She is also a senior executive at Rayliant Global Advisors, a prestigious institutional investment manager based in Hong Kong.

You lived in China, France and Italy before landing in London, how do you feel as a Mexican living in this city compared to others you lived in?

Ana: London is a city that embraced me from day one, it’s multicultural vibe is everywhere, people are genuinely interested in knowing other perspectives, and it is difficult to feel as an outsider.

After spending five minutes in a place, you will hear three or more different accents, find an eye catching situation or get involved in a new experience. You will basically struggle to get bored. As Samuel Johnson famously said: “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life.”

As Director, what have been your challenges as a woman climbing up ladders? Do you feel as far from Mexico you got, you could achieve better opportunities?

Ana: Being away from home is tough, you basically  have to knock at multiple doors, work hard and create your own network…”a picar piedra”. The financial industry is not as diverse as the city, and the only way to knock down stereotypes is to prove them wrong. We can do whatever we want.

Mexico is full of opportunities, being far doesn’t mean having better or worse chances to succeed. The opportunities could be different, but we will have them here and there, we just need to be brave, believe in ourselves and surround us with people that encourage us to achieve our objectives

Where are the best tacos? 

Ana: Taqueria, it’s a tiny restaurant in Notting hill with the best carnitas in London. If you haven’t been, you should definitely try it!

What are your favourite London spots?

Ana: Primrose hill, it’s a park/hill in the north of London with one of the best views of the city, the spot is perfect to spend a sunny day even during the lockdown.

What neighbourhood do you live in and what’s the best thing about it?

Ana: Belize park, having two parks in a doorstep help me to release some stress and reset myself.