Innovate Finance launches the second Pride in FinTech Powerlist to celebrate the LGBTQIA+ community in the FinTech sector

London, 5th June 2024 - Innovate Finance, the industry body for UK FinTech, has today launched its second Pride in FinTech Powerlist 2024.

 

The initiative, supported by Google and Zopa Bank, is part of Innovate Finance’s ongoing commitment to champion diversity in the UK FinTech and Financial Services industry. It celebrates the positive impact members of the LGBTQIA+ community are having in driving a more inclusive, more democratic, and more transparent financial services sector for all.

 

Through the Pride in FinTech initiative, Innovate Finance is working to create a safe space for the LGBTQIA+ community and inspire future generations of the industry.

 

Innovate Finance is urging all members of the LGBTQ+ community that are working in FinTech and Financial Services to share their stories, defining moments and experiences that have not only shaped their professional journeys, but their personal lives.

 

Applications are open until 30 September 2024 and the full list and stories will be announced later in the autumn. This is not a judged list - it’s a celebration of all of those individuals who want to share their positive contributions towards creating a more inclusive and democratic financial services sector, and who self-select themselves onto the list.

 

The 2024 version of the list follows the success of last year’s inaugural version, which attracted contributions from team members at companies such as Monzo, Starling, Thought Machine, Zopa, Wise, Alloy, ClearBank and many others. 

 

Later in the year, Innovate Finance - in collaboration with Zopa Bank - will release key findings from the first Pride in FinTech Barometer 2024, aiming to provide a view on how LGBTQIA+ inclusive FinTech companies are and key recommendations to further improve diversity in the sector.

 

Janine Hirt, CEO of Innovate Finance, said: “As part of Innovate Finance’s ongoing commitment to fostering greater diversity and inclusion in our FinTech ecosystem, we are excited to announce our second annual Pride in FinTech Powerlist, which celebrates the incredible work, achievements, and impact of members of the LGBTQIA+ community who are driving positive change across financial services. Our hope is that this Powerlist helps share the stories of these individuals who are inspiring current and future generations.”

 

Lou Smith, Chair of Innovate Finance, said: “We are excited to launch our second Pride in FinTech 2024 in celebration and recognition of the LGBTQIA+ community within the FinTech sector. More action is needed to boost diversity and inclusion in the industry, and Pride in FinTech will help us spotlight the diverse voices in UK FinTech. At Innovate Finance, we recognise the importance of our members and the people we serve and the findings of our very first Pride in FinTech Barometer will help us identify what we need to do more as industry leaders to ensure further inclusivity in our sector”.

 

Iain Anderson, Non Executive Director at Innovate Finance, said: “We know the FinTech sector is at the leading edge of transforming society – so I am really excited Innovate Finance is set to celebrate LGBTQ fintech leaders who do just that”

 

Jeremy Goro, Head of FS Strategy & Partnerships, UK at Google, said: “Alongside Google’s long-standing commitment to support, celebrate, and uplift LGBTQ+ voices and communities, I am excited to sponsor Innovate Finance’s Pride in FinTech Powerlist and look forward to seeing the continued impact it will have in further diversifying the FinTech ecosystem and contributing to our collective journey to learn, grow, and find Pride together, every day of the year.”

 

Lucas Germanos, VP Communications and External Affairs at Zopa Bank, said: “We are excited to see the 2024 Powerlist come to life and look forward to the findings of the inaugural "Pride in FinTech” Barometer, the first industry survey designed to track the real progress our industry is making towards its diversity objectives. With close to 50% female representation in our leadership team and 44 countries represented in our workforce, at Zopa we want to foster an inclusive ecosystem where everyone can thrive. Embracing diversity not only enriches workplace culture but also drives innovation and growth by bringing varied perspectives to the table to better serve our diverse customer base.”

 

Kim Nguyen, VP People at Alloy: "Innovate Finance’s Pride in FinTech powerlist is a powerful celebration of the supportive community of LGBTQ+ professionals and allies within the fintech industry, helping to promote a broad transformative shift towards inclusivity across the industry at a time when change is sorely needed."

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More information at www.innovatefinance.com