Lydie Vallese, Head of Company Engagement & General Secretary, Securities Services at BNP Paribas, won Excellence in Business Transformation at Markets Media’s 2025 European Women in Finance Awards. We caught up with Lydie to learn more.

What does winning the excellence in business transformation award signify to you?

Winning the Excellence in Business Transformation award at Markets Media’s European Women in Finance Awards is both a personal honour and a powerful validation of the collective journey we have taken at BNP Paribas’ Securities Services business. It also provides an opportunity to serve as the spokesperson for all these women who play an essential role in transformation initiatives within the financial sector.It reflects how our collaborative leadership, built on the commitment, professionalism and energy of the BNP Paribas colleagues I work with each day, continues to drive meaningful, lasting change while staying true to our values and vision.

Transformation is never just about processes or technology. It is fundamentally about people. This recognition celebrates our engagement, agility and shared purpose, which enable us to evolve into a more sustainable, inclusive and forward-looking organisation. It also reinforces my conviction that the most successful transformations are first and foremost powered by the personal conviction

What initiatives or turning points do you think were central to this recognition?

This recognition is the result of a series of collaborative actions we have undertaken starting from 2024 to build the future of our Securities Services business all together, to reshape the way we work and deliver more and more value to our clients, leveraging a powerful corporate culture.

Over 50% of our staff attended dedicated townhalls and workshops across regions, activating collective intelligence and knowledge, which resulted in more than 230 concrete initiatives being implemented.

Through comprehensive bottom-up inputs, this cooperative endeavour not only confirmed the value of a holistic strategy, where financial and non-financial priorities are seen as complementary and self-reinforcing, but secured strong alignment of our teams worldwide around a shared vision.

What would you say to women aiming to lead large‑scale change in financial services?

At BNP Paribas, women now occupy about 40 % of senior‑manager positions (as of 31 December 2024), up from roughly 26 % ten years ago.

The rise in representation has been supported by concrete initiatives, such as the Women in Leadership programme, which consists in pairing emerging talent with senior sponsors, and offers women a structured framework to explore clear-progression pathways and identify their dream job. Our BNP Paribas Women Network also offers mentorship and peer‑learning. Not to mention our flexible‑work policies, which continue to support talent retention. Beyond internal measures, we extend our commitment to the wider ecosystem, including our support towards “Meet My Mama,” a start‑up that helps mothers re‑enter the workforce and launch their own businesses.

As our industry continues to make progress in achieving gender equality, there are still lots to be done collectively for women to lead the change. I would suggest women to create opportunities for growth, to dare to voice their business-focused ideas and convictions, bring unique perspectives and their unique points of view to the table as a woman, and advocate confidently for oneself. By our individual and collective actions, day by day, we will help accelerate the systemic shift toward a more gender-balanced industry.

Who would you like to thank for their support and collaboration?

I would like to thank everyone have devoted themselves to the development of BNP Paribas’ Securities Services vision, aimed at building the future of our business by delivering change towards growth and impact. Their commitment has been the backbone of our programme’s success.

I am also grateful for BNP Paribas’ dedication to creating – through concrete initiatives such as internal networks or awareness-raising events – an inclusive work environment where everyone can express their talents. I strive to foster this work ethic within my teams and with new joiners to promote equal opportunities.

And I would like to personally thank my mentors for their invaluable guidance, support, and inspiration throughout my journey.

Which personal skills or leadership qualities would you say are necessary – or at least helpful – to be successful in life, work and beyond?

Empathy is the foundation. Truly listen to colleagues, clients and partners to build trust, turn strategy into action, and create a culture where diverse voices are heard. Adaptability is also essential in this constantly changing financial landscape. I believe viewing uncertainty as an opportunity and committing to continuous learning allow us to pivot quickly and stay at the forefront of competition. And finally, integrity ties everything together, as staying faithful to one’s values even in complex situations establishes credibility and inspires others to follow.

Of course, several other competencies amplify one’s impact. Strategic thinking enables us to grasp the big picture while translating vision into concrete steps, and clear communication conveys ideas, so they resonate across all audiences. Resilience means rapid recovery from setbacks, turning challenges into lessons rather than roadblocks. Proactive networking is also important. That means building mentors, sponsors and peer groups that can provide guidance, advocacy and collaborative strength.

Last but not least, humour is undeniably a valuable asset. When employed appropriately, it fosters trust, eases tension and builds stronger connection; qualities that enhance leadership effectiveness not only in the workplace but in all areas of life!

Together, in my eyes, these qualities empower us to thrive in any arena and to drive lasting, inclusive change.