S3E9 – Can Male Leaders Really Support Women at Work?

What makes a senior banking executive step up as a champion for women at work? In this episode of Rewrite the Rules, I speak with Bruce Perry—MD Head of Operations for Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa at Barclays, and co-chair of the bank’s Women’s Network in the region. We dive into Bruce’s unexpected journey from elite university rowing to supporting gender equity in the boardroom. He shares how sport shaped his views, what he’s learned from working closely with women leaders, and why male allies need to show up—authentically and intentionally. A candid, thoughtful conversation with someone who’s rewriting the rules from the inside out.

Discussion Topics: Can Male Leaders Really Support Women at Work?

• The tricky tightrope male leaders walk today
• How Bruce became the guy leading a women’s network
• What rowing taught Bruce about gender and real equity
• Job ads, confidence gaps—and what women still won’t apply for
• What space suits and air conditioning reveal about hidden bias
• Allyship or overstepping? Where men still get stuck
• The quiet reason women fear promotions
• The one thing women don’t do enough at work
• Asia vs. the West—who’s doing inclusion better?
• One personal rule Bruce completely rewrote

Our Guest: Bruce Perry

Bruce Perry is the MD and Head of Operations, APAC at Barclays. With global experience across Singapore, New York, Zurich and Paris, he’s known for leading large, cross-functional teams and delivering complex financial strategies. He has held senior COO roles and worked across investment banking, wealth, and corporate operations. A CIMA-qualified leader, Bruce also serves on boards of Cambridge University sports bodies, bringing business rigour to not-for-profit spaces.