Digital Women Awards 2025 Winner: Katharine Photiou

Introducing Digital Women Award 2025 Winner

Katharine Photiou: Leader of the Year 2025

The Digital Women Awards' Leader of the Year celebrates those who lead with vision, purpose, and impact – individuals who are driving change, empowering others, and setting new standards in their field. We are delighted to share the story of our winner, Katharine Photiou.

Tell us a bit about yourself.

I’m Katharine Photiou, Managing Director for Workplace Savings at L&G. We support over 5 million members and manage over £100 billion in assets – but what really drives me is the chance to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

I’m deeply passionate about improving retirement outcomes, pushing for policy reform, and finding new ways to help people feel more confident about their financial futures. Whether it’s through pensions, savings, or digital innovation, I’m proud to be part of a team that’s working to make financial wellbeing more accessible, engaging, and empowering for everyone.

What does winning this award mean to you?

It’s an honour to be recognised among such inspiring women. This award is a celebration of the collective progress we’re making in digital transformation and financial inclusion. The Digital Women community is such a great forum for innovation, representation and community. Keep doing what you do! For me, it validates the hard work, the advocacy and the belief that we can – and must – do better for investors across the UK.

What career achievement are you most proud of?

I’m bursting with pride about our digital teams who’ve helped shape the web and app experiences for our members. Their passion for creating seamless, relevant, and personalised journeys is truly inspiring. And it’s making a real difference in how members engage with their pensions, savings, and investments.

Our L&G app now holds the highest App Store and Google ratings among providers in our sector, and recently won the Behind Login award for ‘Most Engaging App’. That’s a huge achievement and a testament to the collaboration and dedication of multiple teams and individuals. There’s no ‘i’ in team, and this success reflects the collective effort behind the scenes of many people!

What impact have you seen from your work?

One of the most rewarding parts of my role is seeing how our work translates into real, measurable change for members and the industry. Whether it’s through policy reform, digital innovation, or strategic transformation, I’ve seen firsthand how bold ideas, backed by brilliant teams, can shift the dial.

Our App and web services have become trusted tools for members to engage with their pensions, savings, and investments. Features like Open Finance, nominated beneficiaries, consolidation, retirement planning tools and online drawdown withdrawals are helping members take meaningful action – right from their phones.

I’ve seen how our advocacy, on issues like the gender pensions gap, divorce and pensions, and financial education in schools has started to shift mindsets and policy. It’s a reminder that when we speak up and push for change, we can make a real difference in people’s lives.

What’s the biggest lesson you’ve had to learn, and how did you grow from it?

The biggest lesson I’ve had to learn is the power of resilience. Life doesn’t always go to plan. There are moments that test you, knock your confidence, and make you question your path. But I’ve learned that if you can shift the voice in your head to something more positive, and find the strength to bounce back, you don’t just survive, you thrive!

Some of my most challenging experiences have taught me the most about myself. Resilience isn’t about being tough all the time. It’s about being kind to yourself, learning from the hard bits, and choosing to keep going.

What’s one thing people might be surprised to learn about you? 

I’ve been a vegetarian most of my life, and animal welfare has always been close to my heart. From a young age, I’ve felt a deep responsibility to speak up for animals – whether that’s through supporting rescue organisations, advocating for ethical treatment, or simply living in a way that reflects my values. It’s not just a lifestyle choice for me; it’s a core part of who I am.

What advice would you give to the next wave of Digital Women?

Believe in yourself, even when it feels uncertain. Confidence isn’t something you’re born with; it’s something you build, step by step, by showing up, speaking up, and trusting your instincts.

Be bold in your ambition, but kind to yourself as you grow. The digital space needs your ideas, your energy and your perspective. Don’t wait for permission. If something matters to you, take that first step. And as you rise, leave a ladder behind for others to climb too. That’s how we create lasting change.