WOTW - Women On The Wharf
About The Network
Building a strong inclusive & diverse community
About WOTW | Women’s Networking & Leadership Platform in London
Women On The Wharf is a premier networking and empowerment platform for women professionals in London. Representing over 30 top-tier firms, WOTW fosters inclusion, collaboration, and leadership development through curated events and meaningful partnerships.
WOTW works with experienced passionate like-minded individuals to establish practical solutions to creating an inclusive environment for professionals, and supporting them in achieving their career goals.
We add value and drive impact through creating a platform for our members:
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Building a safe, trusted network for ambitious professionals
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Championing women’s growth in finance, consulting & tech
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Promoting diversity, equity & allyship across industries
Our Values:
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Collaboration
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Empowerment
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Representation
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GrowthAccess to Talent Pool
33+
Member Firms
Prominent global brands and a diverse mix of senior corporate professionals and executives with a broad range of experience
50+
Inspire Series
Cross-firm collaboration, exchange of knowledge and experiences on driving female centric diversity agenda
100+
Mentees
Cross function, cross-firm mentoring program that is incredibly valuable for both mentors and mentees
50+
Events
Fireside chats, panel discussions, networking events, and exclusive experiences
Co-Chairs
Aashika Balaji
Finance Leader | Startup & Impact Advisor | Empowerment Advocate
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Aashika Balaji is a London-based finance executive with deep expertise in banking, investment strategy, and venture ecosystems, currently serving as Chief of Staff to the Founder & Group CEO at Aptia, a Bain-Capital backed tech disruptor in pensions, health and employee benefits.
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Previously at Citibank Wealth Management, Aashika has led strategic transformation and high-growth business development across the UK and emerging markets. She’s a trusted advisor to top startups in India, known for her sharp insights on consumer behavior and business scaling.
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Her academic journey spans the world’s most elite institutions:
MBA – Cornell University | Master’s in Management – London School of Economics | B.Com (Hons.) – Shri Ram College of Commerce. She has also completed executive education in Sales Leadership at Wharton University and a summer program in International Finance at Stanford. -
Beyond the boardroom, Aashika leads financial literacy initiatives at a women’s empowerment NGO focused on education and awareness. A classically trained dancer, she collaborates with renowned artists and creators, inspiring Gen Z through a unique blend of tradition, leadership, and creative expression.
Life Philosophy...
"Constant Learning, Creative Consciousness, and Relentless Excellence.
Inspired by The Heart of the Buddha’s Teaching, I believe success starts with presence and purposeful growth"
Samantha King
Transformation Leader | Program Management | Community Builder
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Samantha is a seasoned program management professional with over a decade of experience in insurance and financial services, including her most recent role as Director of Agile at UBS.
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With a proven track record in driving large-scale transformation, she excels at solving complex business challenges and delivering agile, scalable solutions across global organizations.
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Her passion lies in accelerating meaningful change, fostering strong communities, and celebrating women’s achievements in leadership and tech. She is recognized for her collaborative leadership style, strategic problem-solving, and ability to align teams around common goals to deliver measurable impact.
Life Philosophy...
"If you listen to Baz Luhrmann’s, Everybody’s Free to Wear Sunscreen, that is life my philosophy, just he worded it first!"
