Key Highlights
- Jill Scott, former England Lioness and MBE recipient, is a new investor aiming to inspire more women to start investing.
- The gender investment gap in the UK stands at £678 billion, equivalent to Switzerland’s economy.
- Scott believes in tackling the stereotypes around investing and emphasizes the importance of financial education for young girls.
- eToro’s “Loud Investing” campaign is part of a broader initiative by financial companies to close the gender investment gap.
The Role Model for Investment: Jill Scott’s Journey from Football to Finance
Ruth Emery, a contributing editor known for her expertise in financial journalism, highlights the inspiring journey of Jill Scott, the former England Lioness and MBE recipient. In an interview with MoneyWeek, Scott shares her vision to inspire women into investing, following her own path that started from grassroots football to becoming one of the most prominent players on the international stage.
Scott retired in 2022 after winning UEFA Euro 2022 with England, but she left professional football with no savings. Reflecting on her career and financial decisions, Scott emphasizes the importance of tackling misconceptions about investing: “All those investing myths, that was me, I believed them.” She continues to advocate for more women in finance, stating, “There’s a place in investing for me, where I can do just as well as the guys.”
The Gender Investment Gap: A $678 Billion Divide
According to Boring Money, the gender investment gap now stands at ÂŁ678 billion – an amount comparable to Switzerland’s economy. This disparity is a significant issue that needs urgent attention from both individuals and financial institutions. Scott has joined forces with eToro’s “Loud Investing” campaign, aiming to encourage more women to take up investing.
Dan Moczulski, UK managing director at eToro, explains the importance of role models in addressing this issue: “Role models matter. We need more women front and centre, showing that investing isn’t a closed shop – it’s something they already have the skills to succeed at.” The campaign seeks to challenge negative stereotypes around female investors and promote financial literacy.
Scott’s Advocacy for Financial Education in Schools
In an interview with MoneyWeek, Scott reflects on her own lack of financial education during her playing days: “Why don’t we get taught this stuff at schools? Tax, investing, mortgages… it would have been so helpful.” She believes that financial literacy should be a fundamental part of the curriculum, especially for young girls. This approach aligns with broader initiatives by eToro and other financial companies to bridge the gender gap in investments.
Scott’s advocacy extends beyond financial education; she is also encouraging her nieces to start investing early.
She says, “I promise that my investing journey will be very honest, I’m a very transparent person. I will keep people up to date with it, none of it will be filtered.” Through social media and her podcast, Scott aims to provide transparency and support for women embarking on their investment journeys.
Conclusion
The Future of Investment
The journey from grassroots football to the forefront of financial advocacy exemplifies Jill Scott’s commitment to breaking down barriers in both sports and finance. As she continues her “Loud Investing” campaign, Scott hopes to inspire a new generation of women investors who are confident and informed about their financial futures.
