Hanneke Smits, who is to succeed Helena Morrissey as the chief executive of Newton Investments, is no stranger to holding the top job – nor, like her predecessor, encouraging other women to do the same.

Smits' latest frontline finance role was at $27 billion private equity and venture capital investor group Adams Street, where she was chief investment officer, mapping out asset allocations and geographical exposure, as well as overseeing the firm's commitment to private equity funds.