Speakers

Clare Ashley is a highly respected strategic leader with over two decades of experience in the financial services sector. At Goldman Sachs, where she has served for 15 years, Clare has consistently led high-profile cross-functional programmes, particularly within the Engineering organization.

Clare’s commitment to diversity and inclusion is equally profound. As the first female Co-head of the EMEA Black Network at Goldman Sachs, she has worked to attract, retain, and support Black talent, launching initiatives such as the EMEA-wide survey to evidence the network’s impact. She has also shaped strategies for the Africa and Caribbean Recruiting Initiatives, opening pathways to careers in technology for students from Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, Jamaica, Trinidad, and Barbados.

Beyond her professional commitments, Clare sits on the advisory board of Crisis Venture Studio, supporting ventures to end homelessness, and is a Trustee/Governor of the John Whitgift Foundation, which champions education and care services in Croydon. Her previous mentoring work with Mentivity’s Raising Aspirations Project highlights her dedication to empowering young people in the UK.

Clare is a speaker at various events including the UK Black Talent in Tech Conference, Black Tech Summit, and UK Black Tech Fest, she regularly features as a judge and keynote speaker. This year The Most Influential People of African Descent (MIPAD) honoured Clare in the "Team Work Makes the Dream Work" category. As part of MIPAD's 2025 Global Top 50 – Philanthropy & Social Impact edition, Clare has been recognized for driving large-scale social change within their teams and across Goldman Sachs.

Her impact as a mentor is reflected in the words of those she has guided: “Her profound wisdom has significantly impacted the engineering community at GS... her experiences and guidance have been instrumental in shaping my own professional journey! Beyond individual mentorship, her commitment to diversity at GS is truly remarkable. As a trailblazing woman of colour and an MD, a role held by only a select few, she is a powerful advocate for diversity in technology. Her inspiring address at Black Tech Fest last year resonated deeply with me and undoubtedly motivated the thousands of other diverse individuals there in the tech industry.” Another mentee notes, “Her combination of strategic support, sponsorship, and inclusive leadership has had a tangible impact on my development and on the wider community within the firm.”

Clare Ashley’s career is distinguished by her ability to drive innovation,  her advocacy, and her unwavering commitment to opening doors for others in the technology sector.