Jenna Abbott

Jenna Abbott, Operations Director at Shard Financial Media, has defied convention, proving that talent, resilience, and strategic thinking matter more than traditional credentials. From GCSEs to the boardroom, she built her career on instinct, agility, and an unrelenting drive to create impact.

Joining Shard in 2012 as Deputy Head of Events, she was promoted to Operations Director in 2017 - while on maternity leave - just eight months after the company’s acquisition. When the industry faced post-Covid uncertainty, Jenna refused to let the business fall through relentless problem-solving, high-energy leadership, and an unshakable belief in her team, she steered Shard back to profitability by transforming operations, integrating automation, and refocusing on customer experience. The result? A full financial turnaround and an award-winning flagship event, Credit Week.

Jenna leads company and event operations, managing a team of 16. She drives transformation through a mix of commercial acumen, high-energy leadership, and an unwavering commitment to people. A champion for inclusion, she founded the Women & Diversity in Credit Steering Committee and has spoken at Parliament on gender equity in finance.

Her journey isn’t just about success - it’s about persistence, reinvention, and lifting others along the way