Dame Alison Rose: Advocating for Female Entrepreneurs and Vulnerable Banking Customers | Feature Article
- Lindsey Schlandt
- May 21
- 1 min read
CEOWORLD.BIZ — Dame Alison Rose joined James Harding on the Thinkin podcast to reflect on her journey from NatWest graduate to groundbreaking CEO—and the economic impact of her work to support women in business. Known for launching the Rose Review and pioneering initiatives to increase funding access for female entrepreneurs, Alison shared candid insights on leadership, equity, and resilience.
She spoke about her early career, collecting management styles “like a magpie,” and how those experiences shaped her approach to leading a major institution. As NatWest’s CEO, she didn’t just commission the Rose Review—she acted on it, deploying teams to support women-led ventures and doubling a billion-pound fund when demand surged.
During the pandemic, Alison led NatWest through crisis with clarity and flexibility, busting myths about office work while keeping customer care at the forefront. She embraced remote and hybrid models for most roles but maintained in-person mentorship for early-career hires to preserve the growth she once benefited from herself.
Her leadership throughout COVID-19, including rapid remote transitions and expanded support for vulnerable customers, reflected her belief that banks exist in service to society. For Alison, true leadership is about adaptability, purpose, and widening the path for others to thrive.
