Page 101 - Powerlist 2020

Baroness Ooona King Technology

Vice President, Diversity and Inclusion, Snapchat

A little over a year since Baroness King moved to Silicon
Valley, she took on a new role as Director of Diversity
Strategy at internet giant Google.
It was her second role in the tech field, after her time
at global video-sharing website YouTube, where she was
overseeing the company’s diversity strategy across content,
marketing, branding and talent. She joined Snapchat as the
company’s first Vice President of Diversity and Inclusion in
June 2019.
According to Forbes magazine, Baroness King will find
her new role particularly challenging. “Snapchat is one of
the few large technology companies not to have released
their diversity numbers and the firm recently settled
multiple allegations of gender discrimination,” it said.
In May 2019 she was honoured as the International House
Alumna of the Year at UC Berkeley in California where she
attended in 1988-89. The award was in recognition of her 30
years of public service.
It was in the political world where Oona first made a name
for herself. In 1997, she became the MP for Bethnal Green
& Bow, which made her the second ever black female MP,
following Diane Abbott.
After losing her seat to George Galloway in 2005, she Ian Greenstreet
forged a career as a freelance journalist, broadcaster and
writer and acted as a senior policy adviser on equality and Founder and Chairman, Infinity Capital Partners;
diversity to former Prime Minister Gordon Brown. Member, Advisory Board, London Stock Exchange
She had a successful stint at Channel 4 as the
broadcaster’s head of diversity, before launching an Ian Greenstreet is an investment banker and a world expert
unsuccessful bid to become London Mayor in 2010. in financial risk, with more than 35 years of experience and
In 2011, she was made a peer in the House of Lords and insight within the banking and financial services sector.
was nominated for Campaigning Peer of the Year. He is entrepreneurial with board, CEO, transformational,
Before becoming an MP, Oona was a trades union risk and financial technology experience. Notably, his Board
organiser who represented low-paid workers. She also spent and Governance experience includes his Chairmanship of
five years as a researcher at the European Parliament. Audit, Risk and Investment committees for 11 corporates and
Her other roles include sitting on the executive board at financial institutions spanning 10 years and across the three
the British Film Institute and being patron of the Rich Mix continents.
Cultural Foundation, a £30million project aimed at bringing He is one of 12 leaders selected to sit on the African
different communities together via art. Advisory Board of the London Stock Exchange (LSE) to lead
African Capital market development. As a board Member of
Assupol Life insurance company in South Africa within five
years, the market capitalisation of the company increased
by 11-fold.
He is also founder and owner of Infinity Capital Partners,
a London-based Corporate Finance firm.
Under Ian’s leadership Infinity Capital Partners joined
forces with Shiavam Advisors to negotiate the acquisition
of Diamond Bank UK by GFC Alliance in 2018. The deal is
subject to regulatory approval.
The acquisition was supported by Dr Liam Fox, former
Secretary of State for International Trade.
Ian assists companies in finding cutting technological
solutions that improve their operations and help provide
their clients with exceptional service.
He co-founded TouchFX, a fintech foreign exchange
product for investment funds and corporate treasurers.
Ian is enthusiastic about equipping the next generation of
industry pioneers to realise their full potential.
He also provides students in the UK, who have little or no
previous work-experience, an invaluable insight into the
world of finance while mentoring them.

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