Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1P2WLceLQ8A&t=2s

In this special episode of the London Fintech Podcast, we are privileged to talk with Michael Manelli, the 695th Lord Mayor of London. 

Michael shares his extraordinary career journey, spanning from his early days in aerospace at Lockheed Martin to becoming a key figure in financial services, fintech, and leading the CIty of London. As a Chartered financial accountant, economist, author, and scientist, Michael discusses the wide-ranging initiatives he championed during his year as Lord Mayor, including mental health research, sustainable finance, Ethical AI, and Space Protection.

The episode also dives into the City of London’s unique governance structure and its role as a global fintech hub. 

Michael provides fascinating insights into the integration of finance, science, and technology, as well as the evolving role of the Lord Mayor in shaping the city’s future.

Topics Covered:

• Michael’s diverse career and path to becoming Lord Mayor of London

• The Lord Mayor's job - Global initiatives, leading the City, pageantry, speeches & costume changes

• London’s status as a global fintech hub and its governance model

• Initiatives Michael made including mental health, sustainability, Ethical AI & Space Protection

• The intersection of finance, science, and technology in the City of London

• Innovations in environmental sustainability and emissions trading

• The role of the Lord Mayor in global leadership and governance

• The future of fintech, ethical AI, and environmental responsibility in the financial sector

Tune in for an enlightening conversation on leadership, innovation, and the future of fintech in the heart of London.

Learn More:

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.nxwave.uk

Michael Mainelli: https://www.mainelli.org

Watch the video episode on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oXa2V8bRufA

In this episode of The London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Duncan Stevens, Founder of Gretel, to discuss the platform’s mission to reconnect individuals with lost financial assets.

Duncan shares how his entrepreneurial journey was shaped by his early life experiences and a strong desire to create purpose-driven solutions. He reflects on the challenges of launching Gretel during the COVID-19 pandemic and highlights the platform’s unique approach to tackling the issue of stranded financial assets in the UK.

The conversation explores the social and financial impact of Gretel, including its inclusive design and success in reuniting consumers with tens of millions of pounds. Duncan delves into the scalability of Gretel’s two-sided marketplace model and its focus on fostering trust between financial institutions and consumers. He also provides valuable advice for aspiring entrepreneurs, emphasising the importance of purpose over profit and the need for accessible innovation.

Topics Covered:

• Duncan’s career journey and inspiration for founding Gretel

• The problem of stranded financial assets in the UK

• Gretel’s design principles: inclusivity, accessibility, and ease of use

• How Gretel operates as a two-sided marketplace

• Growth potential within the financial sector and future expansion plans

• Challenges of launching during the pandemic

• The role of purpose-driven entrepreneurship

• Predictions for the future of asset reunification and financial inclusion

Tune in to learn how Gretel is reshaping the financial landscape by addressing a critical problem and empowering consumers to reconnect with their forgotten assets.

Learn More:

Duncan Stevens: https://www.linkedin.com/in/duncan-stevens/

Gretel: https://www.gretel.co.uk/

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/

Watch the video version on YouTube:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vgYg4tPP48A

In this episode of The London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Aman Ghei to look at the state of Fintech in Europe.

Aman shares his journey from M&A banking, working at Accel and Facebook and games development, to building a career in venture capital. Aman reflects on how these experiences have influenced his approach to investing in post-revenue companies across sectors like payments, banking, and insurance technology.

The conversation explores the current state of European Fintech, including the growing prominence of local investors, the impact of economic challenges on valuations, and the opportunities emerging in thriving markets like Germany and the Nordics. Aman delves into the complexities of the investment landscape, emphasising the importance of capital efficiency and highlighting trends in mergers and acquisitions.

Aman also provides insights into lucrative verticals like payments and the strategic advantage of focusing on the mid-market in Europe. He shares practical advice for navigating the Fintech space, predicting the continued rise of "useful AI" and the shifting dynamics of the market.

Topics Covered:

• Aman’s career journey and Finch Capital’s focus on post-revenue Fintech investments
• Finch Capital's 9th Annual European Fintech Report
• Key investment trends across Europe, including country-specific opportunities
• The evolving role of local investors in driving growth
• Challenges and opportunities in the current economic cycle
• Mid-market investment focus
• Insights into thriving sectors like banking, payments, and insurance technology (BNPL, Stablecoins and InsurTech)
• Complexities of valuation in Fintech and the importance of capital efficiency
• The strength of the European PE sector (Eur 50-500m)
• The UK as the major European Fintech hub
• The "Rule of 40"
• German private capital focus
• The Nordic & Polish fintech scene
• Being commercial from the start
• Predictions for the future of European Fintech, including M&A activity and market consolidation

Tune in to gain a deep understanding of the European Fintech ecosystem and learn how investors like Aman Ghei are shaping its future.

Learn More:

Aman Ghei: https://www.linkedin.com/in/amanghei/

Finch Capital: https://www.finchcapital.com/

State of European Fintech report: https://finchcapital.com/post/state-of-european-fin-tech-2024

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C1M4ODqxthw&t=973s

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Qin En Looi, a leading figure in the Asia fintech space, to explore the future of digital assets and the convergence of fintech and blockchain technology. Qin shares his journey from a traditional Singaporean upbringing to becoming a successful entrepreneur and investor, co-founding Glints and leading Saison Capital. He reflects on how these experiences shaped his understanding of fintech’s potential in Southeast Asia. 

The conversation covers blockchain's evolution, the growing institutional interest in digital assets, and the importance of trust within the crypto space. Qin emphasises the role of tokenisation in the future of finance, particularly in streamlining transactions and overcoming the limitations of traditional systems like SWIFT. They also discuss how fintech innovation is accelerating in Southeast Asia, the challenges of tokenised assets, and the critical importance of choosing the right technology and jurisdiction for protection. 

Qin also offers practical advice for entrepreneurs in fintech, stressing the importance of learning to sell, building strong distribution networks, and how financial discipline is crucial as the fintech sector undergoes a phase of consolidation. 

Topics Covered: 

• Qin's background, dropping out and then completing a Stanford degree in half the time (and achieving top marks!)

• The potential of digital assets and blockchain technology in fintech 

• The rise of tokenisation and its impact on the financial industry 

• Importance of trust and regulatory clarity for blockchain adoption 

• Challenges and opportunities for startups in the digital asset space 

• Insights into fintech’s growth in Southeast Asia and global liquidity trends 

• The convergence of fintech and blockchain technology 

• Practical advice for entrepreneurs: mastering sales and distribution 

• The role of institutional finance in the digital asset ecosystem 

Learn More:  

Chinen Lui: https://www.linkedin.com/in/looiqinen/

Saison Capital: https://www.saisoncapital.com/ 

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/  

NextWave: www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/Tk_Qg5Lkiw0

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Jordan Sinclair, President of Robinhood UK, to explore Robinhood’s ambitious global expansion, with a particular focus on its UK market entry.

Jordan brings a wealth of experience from his diverse career, and is now leading Robinhood’s mission to democratise finance by offering commission-free trading, fractional shares, and innovative 24/5 trading access to a broader audience.

Jordan shares insights into his unique journey and Robinhood’s customer-centric approach, emphasising the importance of financial education, localising products to meet specific needs, and addressing underrepresented groups within the UK market.

This conversation delves into Robinhood’s strategy for market disruption, its revenue model, and the role technology—especially AI—plays in enabling scalable growth. They also discuss the UK investing environment and Robinhood’s financial literacy initiatives, along with the company’s approach to diversity and inclusion in shaping its customer base.

The episode provides an in-depth look at Robinhood’s approach to sustainable growth and how the company uses its technological edge to stand out in a competitive fintech landscape. Jordan also opens up about maintaining a work-life balance, staying informed, and Robinhood’s plans for future advancements to continue scaling its operations.

Topics Covered:

• Jordan’s career journey and insights into Robinhood’s UK market strategy
• Robinhood’s mission to democratise finance and innovative features like 24/5 trading
• The role of financial education and localisation in product development
• Strategic approaches to market disruption, marketing, and growth • Robinhood’s revenue model, including diverse income streams
• The importance of technology in Robinhood’s expansion and customer engagement • Insights into the UK investing environment and the future of fintech
• Diversity, inclusion, and broadening financial access
• Staying ahead with AI-driven solutions and scaling technology
• Balancing professional growth with personal well-being
• Robinhood’s vision for the future of finance and upcoming advancements

Tune in to gain a comprehensive understanding of Robinhood’s strategy for global growth and how the company is paving the way for the next generation of fintech innovation.

Learn More:

Jordan Sinclair: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jordan-sinclair-36827142/

Robinhood UK: https://robinhood.com/gb/en/

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/ny7vDFIVhko

In this episode Tony Clark sits down with Paul Caulfield for a deep dive into the troubling world of Financial Crime.

Paul is a practising attorney. He’s been a chief legal officer and a chief risk officer at major Financial Institutions, and he’s worked with pretty much all the market regulators in the sector, including the Department of Justice, the OCC, OFAC, and the Fed. Paul is also an adjunct professor at Fordham Law in New York.

This is a ‘must-listen’ for anyone in the Risk, Compliance or Legal space.

This conversation centres on Money Laundering and Cyber Crime as two key dimensions of the criminal activity challenge that the FS sector faces. In today’s market, illegal activity manifests in so many different ways and some surprising places. Paul shares some of his practical stories of the threats, regulations and remedies that firms must pay attention to.

Topics covered include:

• The Growing Threat of Financial Crime
• Introducing Paul Caulfield: Expert in Financial Crime
• Regulatory Challenges and Innovations
• The Role of Technology in Combating Financial Crime
• Money Laundering innovations in surprising places – diamonds, gaming & crypto
• The Importance of Collaboration in Financial Security
• Leveraging AI and Technology for Better Compliance
• The Future of Financial Crime Prevention
• Voice & Avatar Synthesis and Cyber Attacks
• Real-Life Scenarios of Cybercrime
• The Rise of Romance Scams and Social Engineering
• Election Security and Media Influence
• The Dark Web and Cybercrime as a Service
• Regulations and the Role of Citizen Activism
• The Future of Cybersecurity and Financial Crime
• Personal Reflections and the Impact of 9/11
• The Importance of Cyber Hygiene and Human Factors
• Unexpected Inspirations: Japanese Haiku

Learn more:

Paul Caulfield: https://www.linkedin.com/in/paulcaulfieldny/

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube: https://youtu.be/7NHLjXfhNqQ

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark is joined by Louis Glass, the head of CMS’ TMT-sector M&A group in the UK, Managing Partner of the firm’s Tel Aviv office, and a member of the management board.

Louis brings a wealth of experience as a corporate lawyer with specialist expertise in tech, internet, and e-commerce transactions. His career spans over two decades, including extensive cross-border work for multinationals, startups, and venture capital funds. Louis’ journey into the world of law and fintech is as unique as it is impressive.

Tech-obsessed from a young age, he was writing database software by the age of 15. Today, his work revolves around complex international transactions, particularly in the tech sector, where he represents clients across 45 countries.

This conversation explores the intersection of law, technology, and fintech, focusing on how legal frameworks can support innovation while ensuring compliance in the ever-changing regulatory environment.

Louis also opens up on his personal journey, mental wellness and the vital importance of team and company culture.

Louis offers key insights into navigating the legal challenges fintech companies face, from securing licenses to managing cross-border transactions, and balancing rapid growth with stringent regulatory standards.

Throughout the episode, Louis provides practical advice for fintech leaders, sharing how companies can leverage legal expertise to innovate while staying compliant. He also touches on the future of regulation in fintech and how businesses can anticipate and adapt to evolving legal landscapes.

Topics covered include:

• Louis’s journey from writing software to leading M&A transactions in the tech and fintech sectors.
• The twin ‘fairytales’ of company law and money.
• Resilience, mental health & corporate culture.
• The critical relationship between legal frameworks and fintech innovation.
• Balancing regulatory compliance with business growth in a global context.
• Managing cross-border transactions and securing licenses in different jurisdictions.
• The future of fintech regulation and how businesses can stay ahead.
• Aligning legal teams with business objectives to drive long-term success.
• Louis’s experience working across the UK, US, and global markets.
• Practical strategies for legal professionals in the fintech space.
• Building trust with regulatory bodies through proactive compliance.
• Insights from Louis’s work across over 45 countries.
• Interesting reads (and podcasts…)

Learn more:

Louis Glass: https://cms.law/en/gbr/people/louis-glass

CMS: https://cms.law/en/gbr/

Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/go9S3Ta0xtY

In this episode of the London Fintech podcast, Tony Clark talks to Sarah Levy.

Sarah has over 25 years of experience launching and growing new brands, however Sarah’s journey to FS is an unconventional one, having crossed over only 4 years ago from a super successful career with Disney, Nickelodeon and Viacom, to leading one of the fastest growing and most progressive digital wealth management firms in the US. 

There are approximately 60,000 wealth firms globally of all sizes offering propositions that span pure advisory, self-directed, robo-advisory and hybrid models in a market characterised by shifting demographics, consolidation and new asset classes.  So how do firms differentiate and get ahead?

This conversation explores Betterment’s use of technology for competitive advantage and delivering a purpose-led wealth solution to the “zillennial” generation of investors.

Sarah shares her unique insights on building targeted consumer brands for specific demographics and customer segments, the power of hyper-personalisation, and the misalignment between traditional firms and the digitally accelerating ecosystem. “If Schwab and Fidelity and Vanguard are my parents brands, Betterment will be the Zillennial wealth brand”.

Additionally, she provides some really practical insight for C Suite leaders and fintech entrepreneurs on building a growth company, transitioning to fintech, building customer loyalty, and creating a balanced corporate culture.

• Moving from big-media to Wealth Management
• Transforming businesses for the Digital Age
• The importance of brand in all sectors
• Solving problems for customers and laser focus
• The  ‘Zillennial’ generation need for technology driven solutions
• The direction of the Wealth Management sector
• “Selling eat your vegetables while some of the others were offering candy” during the pandemic
• How Important is Enterprise scale for Wealth Firms?
• Betterment’s Mission – making people’s lives better
• How Betterment Works
• Digital vs Real Life advisors
• Betterment’s Portfolio Strategy
• Betterment’s Market Positioning as a FinTech
• How Betterment Differentiates from Competitors
• Simplicity and the elegance of the user experience
• Sarah’s Team Building Journey and Betterment’s Culture
• Food as a team-builder..
• The Rise of AI in Wealth Management
• Sarah’s Challenges and learning every day
• Switching from corporate to fintech
• Future Plans for Betterment
• Where to Learn More

Learn more:

Sarah: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sarah-kirshbaum-levy-889881a1/

Betterment: https://www.betterment.com

Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/-thOpJvMmF8

Which bank was the first UK clearing bank in 250 years, grew income 91%, last year despite the fintech downturn, doubled its deposits and provides banking services to 250 companies, including 16 other banks?

In this episode of the London FinTech podcast, Tony Clark is joined by Charles McManus, Founding CEO of ClearBank.

Charles is an international banking professional with over 30 years in global investment banking, wealth management and retail. Before ClearBank, he was the group CFO of RBS Ulster Bank and spent 13 years at the Royal Bank of Canada, where he became CFO for Europe and Asia and Global Head of Product Control.

This conversation explores ClearBank’s pioneering role in embedded banking and its remarkable growth and success. Charles offers deep insights into the firm’s journey, its innovative solutions, and its leadership in the fintech sector.

Topics include the future of embedded banking, ClearBank’s successful navigation of regulatory challenges, and the expansion into Europe post-Brexit. Additionally, Charles shares his personal experiences, stress management strategies, and advice for fintech entrepreneurs.

Topics covered include:

• ClearBank’s remarkable journey to-date
• Charles’ background & career Journey
• Setting up ClearBank in Europe post-Brexit
• Learning to ride a horse at 50..
• The Fintech revolution and the Embedded Banking sector
• ClearBank’s business model
• Banking for banks
• Stablecoin and tokenised deposits
• ClearBank’s competitive landscape and differentiators
• Tech company vs bank
• Hiring an amazing team & psychometric testing
• Agile working
• AI in the Embedded Banking sector
• Future plans for ClearBank
• Advice to aspiring entrepreneurs, including those thinking of swapping the corporate world for the fintech world

Learn more:

Charles: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charles-mcmanus-/

ClearBank: https://clear.bank

Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/j5HZhwSuVy4

In this episode of the London Fintech podcast, Tony Clark talks to Niall Cameron. They explore Niall’s journey from heading trading teams to leading digital transformation at HSBC and now building a unique Fintech community through FinTech Connex.

There are by some estimates over 26, 000 FinTechs globally. However, as this audience will know, the sector has been on a rollercoaster ride since 2020. Post COVID FinTech funding dropped dramatically in 23 and in investment terms, the first half of last year was down 57 percent year on year versus 2022. Q1 24 this year was the worst performing fintech quarter since the start of 2020.

However, it’s not all gloom and doom. There is optimism across the sector from both the investment community and the fintechs themselves, particularly for those firms who have a clear niche product, a rapid growth rate and effective partnerships. A lot of this is down to product focus and leveraging the fintech ecosystem, something that Niall is an expert in.

Niall shares his insights on achieving product-market fit, staying ahead of trends, and the importance of narrowing focus for deep expertise. Additionally, he provides practical advice for fintech entrepreneurs on making their products more buyable and actionable in a swiftly evolving industry landscape.

Niall, not just had a stellar career in trading, rising to the top of his business with several thousand traders reporting to him at one point, but he also made a successful move to digital leadership at one of the world’s largest banks and more recently. built a unique fintech community and network business across the sector.

• Meet Niall Cameron: A Fintech Connector
• The State of the Fintech Industry
• Urban art & meeting Banksy (maybe..)
• Niall’s Career Journey and Influences
• Transition to Digital Leadership
• The Birth of FinTech Connex
• Challenges and Opportunities in Fintech
• Mice dancing with elephants
• Segmenting and Labeling Products for Different Clients
• The Role of AI in Transformational Solutions
• AI’s Impact on Various Financial Sectors
• Challenges and Strategies for FinTech Companies
• Future Trends and Predictions in FinTech
• Navigating AI Adoption and Corporate Challenges
• Final Thoughts and Advice for FinTech Entrepreneurs
• Where to learn more & Connector invitation…

Learn more:

Niall: https://www.linkedin.com/in/niall-cameron-8a1aab6/

FintechConnex: https://fintechconnex.com

Tony: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/

NextWave: https://www.nxwave.com

Watch the video version on YouTube:  https://youtu.be/j5HZhwSuVy4

In his inaugural episode of the London Fintech Podcast, host Tony Clark takes over from Mike Baliman and takes a deep dive into the world of AI powered forensic accounting.

Research shows that 1 in 10 US firms are cooking the books and that accounting manipulation is a $4.7Tn industry problem, in the US alone.  Transparently has built an AI platform that can detect and score accounting manipulation, often years ahead of corporate collapse!

Tony talks with Dr. Hamish Macalister, the founder and CEO of Transparently AI. They discuss the prevalence of accounting manipulation in global markets, the statistical mechanics behind Transparently’s AI system, the varied use cases spanning banking, asset management, auditing, and regulation, and touch upon the ethical commitment Transparently has towards transparency and accuracy.

Hamish shares his journey, the company’s rapid evolution, and exciting future prospects involving generative AI integration. The episode provides deep insights into the significance and mechanics of forensic AI in tackling financial fraud.

• Meet the New Host: Tony Clark
• Tony’s Background and Vision for the Show
• Introducing Dr. Hamish McAllister – quant strategist, professor & AI inventor
• The potential of AI in Finance
• Transparently AI: Forensic Accounting
• Time away from the startup – Scuba diving
• Hamish’s Career Journey & asking the Singapore government to reduce their research grant!
• Founding Transparently AI
• Building the Transparently AI Team
• Cooking the books – the $4.7Tn problem (and opportunity..).  Forensic reports in seconds..
• 85,000 companies – scoring every listed company since the 80’s
• Predicting corporate collapse – years ahead..
• Exploring Corporate Governance and Asset Quality
• Minimizing False Positives in Financial Systems
• Client Base and Use Cases
• Ethical Considerations and Transparency
• How Transparently AI Works
• Real-World Applications and Case Studies
• Investment from Franklin Templeton
• Transparently 2.0 – Generative AI Integration & Google AI acceleration
• The world’s first AI Forensic accountant that you can actually talk to
• Advice for FinTech Entrepreneurs
• Where to Learn More (and free trial offer)

More info:

Transparently.ai:  https://www.transparently.ai

Hamish:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/hamish-macalister-phd-0b558bb/

Nextwave: https://www.nxwave.com

Tony:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/tony-clark-07160b/