Winner 09

Susan Payne ‘76

After leaving Crofton House School, Susan went on to do three Honours degrees, including two in law from Oxford University and McGill. She was called to the Bar in Canada in 1985 and in 1986 joined JP Morgan, London, before joining the eight-person global Emerging Markets Group. During her tenure as Head of Emerging Markets Sales, Europe, the global group grew to number over 250 people and became established as the market leader in emerging markets securities.

In 1993, Susan joined Goldman Sachs International as an Executive Director and Head of Sales and Trading responsible for developing its emerging markets debt business in Europe. Four years later, Susan founded Emergent Asset Management Limited, an award –winning, alternative investment firm based in the UK, where she is a Principal.

In both 2007 and 2008, Susan was listed by Financial News as one of the Top 100 Women in Finance in Europe. She was awarded one of eight Shell UK Women of the Future Awards 2006 for "Mentor of the Year" and was short-listed for the CBI First Women Awards in Finance, 2005. In 2008, Susan was appointed as a UK Women of Achievement Ambassador.

Susan is also Head of the London Chapter of 85 Broads, the largest professional women's network in the world, and is an outspoken advocate of the advancement of women in the workplace.

Susan and her partner, David, have three young children and live just south of London. An avid sportswoman, she spent the first half of her life participating in competitive rowing - representing Canada in the 1984 World Championships - ice hockey and rugby. Susan now enjoys the more civilized pursuits of running marathons, skiing and sailing. She remains a committed rugby fanatic, but limits her involvement to yelling from the touchline.