Fintech Diaries: A Podcast by SHIFT

In this episode of the Fintech Diaries podcast, we sit down with Zitah McMillan, the CEO of Finexos, to explore her dedication to financial inclusion. With over 15 years of experience in financial services and regulation, including roles at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Zopa, Zitah brings a wealth of knowledge to the discussion. We delve into how Finexos leverages advanced AI, behavioural analytics, and real-time data to reduce risk and costs for lenders, aiming to make credit more accessible and affordable for underserved populations. Join us as we uncover the innovative strategies Finexos employs to promote financial inclusion and support economic growth.

In this episode, we sit down with Jen Lothian, the dynamic founder of MyArk, a pioneering digital data wallet transforming how individuals manage and share their personal information. Jen's career is a testament to versatility and resilience: from serving in the military to navigating the high-stakes world of investment banking, and now leading a tech startup that's redefining data ownership. Join us as we uncover Jen's unique journey, the hurdles she overcame while building MyArk, and her vision for a future where individuals have full control over their data.

In this episode, we sit down with Jodie Andrews, the Head of Marketing and Partnerships at One Mortgage System (OMS). With a background in financial services marketing, Jodie leads strategic initiatives to enhance OMS's brand presence and drive growth. She oversees the introduction and management of third-party partnerships, ensuring they deliver maximum value. Join us as we discuss how to build a reputable technology platform that addresses the unique challenges of building societies, and explore innovative marketing strategies that resonate in today's dynamic mortgage industry.

In this episode, we sit down with Felicia Hjertman, the visionary founder and CEO of TILLIT, a pioneering investment platform that is transforming the way individuals approach fund investing. We delve into TILLIT's recent milestones, including the addition of new funds to its platform, and explore Felicia's vision for the future of personal investing. Join us for an insightful conversation that uncovers the story behind TILLIT and the drive to empower investors with quality choices and transparency.

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, where we uncover the stories driving innovation in the financial world. In this episode, we’re thrilled to welcome Sara Costantini, Regional Director for the UK & Ireland at CRIF UK, a company dedicated to simplifying financial resilience and empowering businesses and consumers alike. Sara takes us through her remarkable journey, from overcoming challenges in her 20+ years with CRIF to becoming a leading voice in open banking and open finance. We explore the values that drive CRIF's mission, her expert tips for successful leadership, and her vision for how open data will shape the future of the financial landscape. We also delve into the transformative shifts happening in the industry, the role of innovation in driving resilience, and what it takes to lead with purpose in today’s fast-changing world. Tune in for an insightful discussion packed with leadership strategies, industry expertise, and a forward-looking perspective on open finance. Settle in and enjoy this inspiring conversation with Sara Costantini.

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, where we dive deep into the stories behind the innovations reshaping the financial landscape. In this episode, we're excited to be joined by Joss Tasker, the Founder and CEO of Sync Savings, a company on a mission to transform how people save and build financial resilience. Joss shares her journey from leading roles at Monzo and Octopus to launching Sync Savings, a fintech dedicated to simplifying savings by integrating seamless solutions into the apps we use every day. We explore Sync’s mission to rebuild the savings infrastructure, connect savers with banks and building societies, and ultimately empower people to cultivate better financial habits. We also discuss the challenges of bringing innovation to a traditional industry, the importance of security and trust in fintech, and how Sync Savings is revolutionising access to savings products. This episode is packed with insights for aspiring fintech leaders and anyone passionate about making savings more accessible and impactful. Tune in for an inspiring conversation with Joss as we uncover her strategies for disrupting the industry and her vision for the future of financial resilience. Settle in, and enjoy this enlightening discussion on the future of savings.

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, the podcast that brings you closer to the people shaping the world of finance and technology. In this month's episode, we're thrilled to be joined by  Emmanuelle Johaadien, Commercial Director of Sikoia. Sikoia is a leading fintech, transforming how businesses handle customer verification by streamlining and automating the process. Their platform rapidly validates customer data and documents, delivering insights at pace. With seamless integration into existing systems or the option to utilise their user-friendly dashboard, Sikoia’s solution is essential for businesses navigating regulations like Consumer Duty, where manual processes can escalate costs and compliance risks. In this episode, we delve into Emmanuelle's inspiring career journey in the fintech space. We also discuss her experiences as a woman in sales and commercial leadership roles, and she shares her valuable insights on the industry’s current landscape and future directions. Emmanuelle offers unique perspectives on how Sikoia is addressing the complex challenges of customer and document verification with a seamless, customer-first approach. So, settle in and join us for an enlightening conversation with Emmanuelle as we explore innovation, women in sales and commercial roles, and the future of the industry. 

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, the podcast that brings you closer to the people shaping the world of finance and technology. In this month's episode, we're thrilled to be joined by Sam Seaton, the CEO of Moneyhub. At Moneyhub, they’re pushing the boundaries of what's possible in financial technology. It’s about more than just open finance; it’s about leveraging open data to create open possibilities, empowering financial futures, and enhancing lifetime financial wellness. With Sam at the helm, Moneyhub is at the forefront of this movement, helping individuals and businesses make smarter, more sustainable financial decisions. Sam’s journey to this point is truly inspiring. She has been a pivotal force at Moneyhub since 2016, driving it to become an award-winning powerhouse in Open Banking, Open Finance, and Open Data. Her passion for technology's potential to improve financial wellbeing is evident in her work and numerous industry roles, including her position on the Money & Pensions Service’s Pensions Dashboards Programme and the Financial Data and Technology Association’s Global Board. In this episode, we’ll delve into Sam's path to leading Moneyhub, exploring the challenges and opportunities in the evolving landscape of open finance. We'll discuss how Moneyhub is shaping the future of financial wellness, and what this means for consumers and businesses alike. So, settle in and join us for an enlightening conversation with Sam Seaton as we explore innovation, financial empowerment, and the future of open finance.

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, the podcast that brings you closer to the people shaping the world of finance and technology. In this month’s episode, we're thrilled to be joined by Kyle Masterson, Head of SHIFT, and Navpreet Parmar, Head of FI Partnerships at SHIFT. SHIFT is on a mission to build the biggest Open Finance Fintech Community in the UK. They're focused on creating an effective and successful fintech community that fosters innovation and collaboration. In this episode, we'll explore the fascinating work being done at SHIFT, the exciting developments within the Fintech Champion Community, and much more. Kyle and Navpreet’s journey to this point is truly inspiring. With a wealth of experience in the fintech industry, they have been instrumental in driving SHIFT’s vision forward. Their leadership is key in bringing together fintech innovators and creating a thriving community. In this episode, we'll be chatting with Kyle and Navpreet about their roles at SHIFT, the challenges and opportunities in building a fintech community, and what the future holds in this exciting space. We'll delve into the purpose and mission of SHIFT, SHIFT+ and the Fintech Champions Community, highlight some success stories, and discuss the latest trends in open banking and finance. So, settle in and join us for a great conversation with Kyle and Navpreet, where we talk about building a fintech community, innovation, and the future of open finance.

Welcome to Fintech Diaries, the podcast that brings you closer to the people shaping the world of finance and technology. In this months episode, we're excited to be joined by Emma Kisby, the CEO of Cogo. At Cogo, they're doing something pretty special. It's not just about financial technology; it's about integrating sustainability into our financial lives, fostering a Climate Conscious Society and leveraging Data4Good to drive change. With Emma's leadership, Cogo is at the forefront of this unique intersection, helping consumers understand and manage the environmental impact of their spending. Emma's journey to this point is pretty fascinating. With experiences ranging from her role at Insightout Ltd, making customer data meaningful for businesses, to leadership positions at PayAsUGym and Virgin Red, she's always been focused on enhancing customer experiences. Now at Cogo, she's channelling this expertise into driving financial decisions that are good for the planet. In this episode, we'll be chatting with Emma about her path to leading Cogo, the challenges and opportunities in merging finance with eco-consciousness, and what the future holds in this exciting space.  So, settle in and join us for a great conversation with Emma Kisby, were we talk innovation, sustainability, and the future of finance.

Welcome back to another episode of the Fintech Diaries Series 2, where we bring you the brightest minds and the most innovative ideas in the Fintech space. We are excited to share the conversation we had with the brilliant Nicole green from Yapily at end of 2023. This episode is all about Open Banking – a theme that's not just transforming the financial landscape but impacting each of us in our day-to-day lives. Yapily is at the forefront of the Open Banking movement, and with Nicole's guidance, they've made significant strides in transforming how financial data is accessed and utilized.  With a career marked by diverse roles across telecommunications, finance and healthcare, Nicole brings a deep understanding and a unique perspective to the table. In this episode we uncover how her journey has led her to Yapily and how her experiences are influencing the company's vision and strategy. In line with our ongoing theme this season, focusing on women's leadership in fintech, Nicole's story is not just about innovation but also about inspiration. We delve into her career trajectory, the challenges she's faced, and her insights on empowering the next wave of female leaders in this dynamic industry. Since the episode was recorded,  Yapily announced they were the first to go live with Commercial VRP in partnership with Ant International and Hungry Panda. You can find out more about this exciting partnership here: https://www.yapily.com/blog/ant-international-and-yapily-launch-europes-first-commercial-variable.  

Welcome back to Fintech Diaries, where we unravel the compelling journeys of fintech leaders and influencers. We’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 with an exploration into the world of responsible finance, financial education, and a revolutionary approach to saving and spending. Also, this season we will be focusing on Top Women In Fintech and uncovering all the incredible work they are doing to transform the industry. Today's episode is one we've been eagerly waiting for. Joining us today is Emma Steeley, the CEO of Aro, a fintech that's not just making waves but reshaping how we think about credit. Emma is a true industry leader and someone who's been at the forefront of transforming the credit landscape. Aro, for those who might not be familiar, is powering credit services for some of the biggest brands in the UK. They're the go-to embedded finance partner, the largest lending marketplace, and a leading second-charge mortgage broker. What sets Aro apart is their vision for the future of credit, and it all revolves around data. Their dynamic platform leverages powerful data sets to truly understand a customer's financial landscape and profile, which allows for precise matching to the right products. Emma has a wealth of experience in the finance sector, previously taking roles as the CEO of Accountscore, Director of Marketing at Account Technologies, and various Managing Director roles at different companies – the resume speaks for itself!   We're in for a treat today to learn all about Emma’s journey, diving into the future of credit and the role of data. We hope you enjoy listening to this episode as much as we did recording it!

Welcome back to Fintech Diaries, where we unravel the compelling journeys of fintech leaders and influencers. We’re thrilled to kick off Season 2 with an exploration into the world of responsible finance, financial education, and a revolutionary approach to saving and spending. Also, this season we will be focusing on Top Women In Fintech and uncovering all the incredible work they are doing to transform the industry. In this episode, we had the pleasure of sitting down with Nicola Longfield, Chief Commercial Officer at HyperJar. Forget "Buy Now, Pay Later" – it's all about "Save Now, Buy Later" (SNBL). HyperJar is on a mission to help people not just save wisely, but spend wisely, treating spending as an asset class in itself. Nicola brings a wealth of experience to the table. From her early days interning at Nike to senior roles at PayPal and Deliveroo, Nicola has been a driving force in shaping the global financial landscape. With a background that spans Goldman Sachs, a Harvard MBA, and a foundation in maths and astronomy from Sheffield Uni, Nicola's journey is nothing short of inspiring. Join us as we dive deep into how HyperJar is at the forefront of a financial evolution. With a recent successful Series A funding round, HyperJar is poised for exciting developments. We discuss what's next on their roadmap and their plans for the future, as well as the company's focus on financial education and literacy.

Welcome to this bonus episode of the Fintech Diaries, the podcast where we discover the different pathways to success in the Fintech space. We hope you enjoyed Series 1, where we were joined by brilliant guests from top fintech companies including Credit Canary, Waggle, Mistho, BankiFi, Ondato, Eliq and Rnwl. Make sure to check out these episodes if you haven’t already!  For a very special Christmas bonus episode and to get us warmed up for Series 2, we thought we’d take it right back to the start, and share the story of Woodhurst and SHIFT Open Finance community, our founding fathers!  In this episode, we sit down with Luke Casey and Josh Rix, Founders of Woodhurst, and uncovered how and why they started Woodhurst and delved into some of the challenges of becoming a start-up consultancy in the financial services space, where building a reputation is key. Lastly they share the most pivotal moments in their career, finding a niche and building SHIFT , the open finance community.    We’re really excited to announce that Series 2 of Fintech Diaries will be launching in January 2024. This season, we will be joined by top women in FinTech, uncovering the highs and lows of becoming successful in a field traditionally dominated by men. Each episode will feature candid conversations with some of the most influential women in the fintech sector, exploring the personal journeys that have led them to the top.   Thank you for all your support throughout Series 1. We can’t wait for you to hear from our amazing guests we’ve got lined up!

In the seventh episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Goncalo de Vasconcelos, Founder & CEO of an exciting company called of Rnwl. Goncalo shared insights into his impressive and varied career, his journey into the Fintech space and his experience of leading and founding multiple companies, really getting insight into all the highs and lows along the way. 

In the sixth episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Håkan Ludvigson, Co-Founder & CEO of an exciting company called of Eliq. Håkan shared insights into his impressive and varied career, his journey into the Fintech space and his experience of leading and founding multiple companies, really getting insight into all the highs and lows along the way. 

In the fifth episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Liudas Kanapienis, Co-Founder & CEO of an exciting company called of Ondato. Liudas shared insights into his impressive and varied career, his journey into the Fintech space and his experience of leading and founding multiple companies, really getting insight into all the highs and lows along the way. 

In the fourth episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Nick Reid, who is the Head of Strategic Growth of an exciting company called BankiFi and has over a decade of experience providing commercial card technology to global FIs. Nick shared insights into his journey into Fintech, the different challenges he’s had across the industry and his experience leading and growing companies, really getting insight into all the highs and lows along the way.

In the third episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Max Czymoch, who is the CEO and Co-founder of an exciting new Fintech called Mistho.  Max shared insights into his journey into fintech, the different challenges he's had across the industry and his experience founding a company, really getting insight into all the highs and lows along the way. 

In the second episode of Fintech Diaries, we had the pleasure of being joined by Sarah Touzani, who is the CEO and Co-founder of an exciting new company called Waggle. Sarah is also the former COO of Creditspring, an angel investor, advisor and involved in a number of startups. Sarah shared insights into her career journey, including how she took to the leap to move to a new country to join an early stage fintech, to then becoming the COO, before moving onto her next challenge and starting her own company, sharing insights into all the highs and lows along the way.