Fair Play Talks to diversity champion Ash-Lee James, Managing Director of Weystone Financial, about his rise to the top in the financial services sector; and his goal to close the education and equity gaps in the property market for the Black community.
Not only is James one of the finalists for the Black British Business Awards (BBBAwards) this year, he also secured two finalist nominations for the prestigious Moneyfacts Awards in both 2020 and 2021; making him one of the youngest directors to make these finals, as well as one of the only 100% Black-owned business owners in its history.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: Can you briefly tell us about your career journey to date and your long-term goal?
Ash-Lee James: My career in financial services started out as a case of luck, where great preparation meets an opportunity. I started in an advised insurance protection role with a thirst for knowledge. That drive and determination helped me to continue to develop whereas the majority of my colleagues were happy and content with the basic knowledge. By going out of my way to speak to the major providers and question their propositions in finer detail, it helped my recommendations, and be more confident and thorough for my clients. Eventually after lack of opportunities to progress, I made the jump to found Weystone Financial.
My long-term goal is to help to close the equity gap and education in the property market for the Black community. Around 76% of Indian people are homeowners in the UK, whilst 68% of White people own their own homes. The average price of a house in the UK is £230,332. The education around that will help transform lives, especially people of the African origin in the UK who only own 20% of their own homes. I am also a guest lecturer for Penn State University World Campus; and am in talks with Southampton University to help educate the students about roles within financial services and also getting onto the property ladder.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: What specific challenges did you face along the way?
Ash-Lee James: The problems faced along the way were numerous; from lack of role models and mentors, to promotional opportunities, funding and skin-deep issues of race were all a factor as an employed entity and company director. The one I felt was most poignant (along with funding, of course) was the lack of mentorship and role models within my industry. As much as I may have looked up to the likes of Rio Ferdinand in business, President Obama or Jay-Z, none of them were specific to my industry. It’s much easier to make innovations off of a blueprint than having to create your own map with trials and tribulations with input from those who have no idea of the real specifics within my own role; which would’ve sped things up exponentially.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: In your opinion, are there any specific challenges Black professionals face on their journey to the top that White/other groups do not face in your industry?
Ash-Lee James: I would say the main constant is that Black professionals have a higher standard they need to uphold in order to progress. If their CV, mentality, demeanour or career are comparable to another colleague that is of another ethnic group, intentionally or unintentionally through the subconscious bias that is present within in the UK, the likelihood is they will not get that promotion over the other ethnicity. I would say even being better isn’t necessarily good enough; it might as well needs to be like VAR or the offside rule because it needs to be clear and obvious. However… it’s sometimes still not enough, but we have to take as much as we can within our own hands.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: Are you promoting Black talent/race equality or involved in other diversity initiatives?
Ash-Lee James: I am actively trying to break stereotypes and promote BAME within our workplace; as well as women and young people. It’s a simple start, but having 37% of our workplace represented by women currently, with 100% Black ownership, 75% of employees that are Black, and having 25% of employees under the age of 25, we’re not only promoting BAME, we’re also promoting and educating youth as well. And 100% of our staff members now own their property, compared to 0% when they initially came on board.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: In your opinion, are companies doing enough to stamp out discrimination and promote racial equity in the workplace?
Ash-Lee James: I don’t believe companies are doing enough to take action to stamp out discrimination. I believe companies need to be more inclusive in terms of having meetings; and asking BAME groups about what things can or do make them feel marginalised or discriminated within the workplace in a fair and open space. It must be a two-way communication in order to bridge the gap of discrimination in the workplace and society; but it must be through open dialogue with resolutions of action from the company side of things.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: Given the focus on diverse talent, what more can organisations be doing to attract and retain Black/minority talent?
Ash-Lee James: Creating and cultivating an environment that is attractive and comfortable for those of BAME backgrounds. It’s a daunting task and position sometimes being the only minority in an environment. Jokes and comments get made that can be without malice, but can make someone feel uncomfortable. Also the lack of inclusion can make people not feel comfortable expressing themselves; which also is important for companies to accept people as the unique individuals they are and not feel as though they need to suppress their culture.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: In your opinion, can organisations promote equality and fairness to enhance belonging and inclusion that will resonate with all groups?
Organisations can promote equality and fairness that will resonate with all groups on a very small scale; however, getting an overwhelming majority will be difficult. We must make strides, by including staff and communicating; and having open lines of communication to have these inclusive talks will hopefully not make them feel forced upon by the status quo, who may not be ready for such changes.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: Could the Black and other minority communities be doing more to promote race equity?
Ash-Lee James: By having awards and recognition like the BBBAwards, it not only helps to give BAME hope, it also gives people ideas of potential occupations and career paths that otherwise might not have felt achievable or known they were potential options. Also by having conversations around finances and living at home versus renting, 5% on a first property instead of a new car that will depreciate in value, we need to have active conversations from the ones that have tasted success and feed it back into the community.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: What was your reaction when you heard that you are one of just 39 BBBAwards finalists this year?
Ash-Lee James: Finding out I was actually a finalist was humbling beyond my own comprehension. I’ve won or been nominated for many awards in the past. However, to be a finalist for the BBBAwards felt like the ultimate acceptance from within my own culture. It was just as amazing to be nominated as it was to read the amazing biographies of the others who were also finalists; but I also feel a responsibility to uphold this mantle.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: How important are awards and organisations like The BBBAwards in the UK to promote Black/minority talent and Black role models?
Ash-Lee James: These awards are imperative because they help to highlight some of the amazing achievements and works that BAME people have achieved over the years. Many of us, if not all of us, have achieved these fetes despite an uneven starting point or playing field and parameters. It gives hope to those with specific examples of people in high performing fields and roles. It’s easy to talk about success in theory; but these are 39 examples of reality within our society at present.
FAIR PLAY TALKS: Finally, could you provide some advice to young Black/minority youth that will help to encourage them to pursue their dream job or business venture.
Ash-Lee James: I would remind them that there are always going to be things out of their control like the economy; but it’s imperative that they try to control their own destiny as much as possible. If you’ve been given an opportunity, don’t stick to the bare minimum or being average, and then get upset if you’ve been let go. You need to give employers reasons NOT to let you go; or find ways to keep you from leaving because they see a valuable asset and commodity. The opportunities out there are scarce and the chips are already stacked against us; and for every setback you can either accept a victim mentality or a victor’s mentality. Don’t talk about it, be about it.
MORE ABOUT ASH-LEE JAMES
Ash-Lee James, Managing Director of Weystone Financial, has been dramatically rising to the top of the financial services industry over the last 10 years. From humble beginnings working full-time at McDonald’s, he secured an entry-level job in the finance industry. He used the opportunity to accelerate his career of the insurance market. James worked his way up to becoming a top salesmen and influencer in insurance. He then founded and became the Managing Director of Weystone Financial in 2017.
CELEBRATING INSPIRING BLACK ROLE MODELS
The winners will be revealed at the Black British Business Awards Virtual Ceremony on 7 October 2021.
Click here to check out the full list of this year’s Brilliant BBBAwards Finalists.
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