Waliyah Abiola is an Investment Banking consultant and analyst who attained a Chemical Engineering Master’s degree from Imperial College before applying these quantitative skills to the financial world. She has held a variety of analysis, consultation and managerial positions in financial markets at the world’s biggest banks such as JPMorgan, Calyon and Barclays Capital. Waliyah has worked in the credit derivatives business and has also held consulting roles at the intersection of financial markets trading, data, analytics and technology innovation. 

She specialises in business transformation with an emphasis on sustainability and digitalisation, with a data-driven approach to quantifying and improving business KPIs, Objectives & Key Results and multiples along the value stream to maximise shareholder value, profitability and an organisation’s overall performance benchmarked to its market and industry. 

Waliyah has also consulted for Nigerian federal ministries & state governments, international tech startups and private sector companies in the UK and Africa cutting across industries such as Tech, Consumer Applications, FMCG, Real Estate, Tourism and Entertainment. 

Regardless of the industry, Waliyah’s advisory and execution approach clarifies organisational objectives, defines key performance indicators and increases profitability and shareholder/stakeholder value. 

Waliyah has been a speaker at the StartUp2021 Conference alongside the UK Minister for Small Business, founders of leading startups such as Hopin and Huel and executives from Dell Technologies, Sage Accounting and PensionBee. 

Seasoned speaker with notable achievements: 

• Delivered a keynote at the WinTrade Global Women’s Leadership Conference at the House of Lords, serving as an ambassador for the organisation. 
• Participated in multiple panels at the Palace of Westminster, focusing on African economic development and the UN SDGs. 
• Recognised for transformational speaking and tangible impact as a mentor to young students through several UN-affiliated organisations in the UK. 
• Recipient of the UPF Award for Positive Impact. 
• Nominee for the London Lord Mayor’s Freedom of the City Award. 

Demonstrated expertise in technology-driven initiatives: 

• Led AI and RPA-driven modernisation and efficiency portfolios for a leading European bank. 

Accomplished TV personality: 

• Experienced TV presenter and producer, hosting her show with hundreds of hours of presenting experience.

Creative powerhouse: 

• A YouTuber, travel vlogger, blogger, writer, recording artist and singer-songwriter.
• Passionate about projecting Africa positively to the world, fostering economic development and bridging the gap between the Western world and Africa.