London Fintech Podcast

🎙️ In this episode, Tony sits down with Richard Squire, founder of My Finance Future, to explore how his FinTech startup is reshaping the way people plan their financial lives—not just for today, but for the decades ahead.Richard shares his journey from a successful career in management consulting to building a platform designed to help individuals truly understand their long-term financial position. He explains why so many people begin planning too late, and how My Finance Future aims to solve this by giving users a clear, comprehensive view of their financial future before they make life-changing decisions.They discuss the complexities behind building a complete lifetime financial planning tool, the importance of earning user trust in financial services, and the collaborative effort required to bring a robust MVP to market. Richard also dives into the strategies behind reaching the right audience—from social media to influencer partnerships—and what it takes to stand out in a crowded FinTech landscape.Looking ahead, Tony and Richard explore the next phase for My Finance Future, including new capabilities, expanded reach, and the broader mission of empowering individuals to take control of their financial journey.📌 Topics Covered• Richard Squire’s transition from consulting to FinTech• Why lifetime financial planning matters• Understanding your financial situation before major decisions• Why many people start planning too late• Building a comprehensive, all-in-one financial plan• Trust as a cornerstone of financial services• Collaboration & teamwork in early-stage startups• Marketing via social media and influencers• My Finance Future’s MVP and long-term roadmap• Expanding the platform’s capabilities & audience🔗 Learn MoreTony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/Richard Squire: https://www.linkedin.com/in/richardsquire/MyFinanceFuture: https://myfinancefuture.com/Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Dalal Buhejji to explore how Bahrain is fast becoming one of the most dynamic fintech hubs in the Middle East.Dalal unpacks Bahrain’s rich legacy in financial services, now the largest contributor to its economy, surpassing oil and gas. She shares how the Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB) supports global and local fintechs entering the market—providing investment facilitation, guidance, and an environment designed for innovation.They discuss Bahrain’s unique regulatory model featuring a single financial regulator, which simplifies market entry and has been instrumental in developing a thriving fintech ecosystem. Dalal also highlights the success of the country’s regulatory sandbox, which has produced major fintech players and spurred new models in payments, digital banking, and beyond.A core focus of Bahrain’s strategy is talent development, with initiatives to upskill Bahrainis in technology and financial services. Combined with its strategic location, the country offers unrivalled access to the GCC and wider MENA region—positioning Bahrain as a launchpad for global expansion.Looking ahead, Dalal and Tony explore emerging trends shaping Bahrain’s financial future, from AI and digital banking to deeper collaboration across the region.📌 Topics Covered• Bahrain’s evolution into a fintech hub• How the Bahrain EDB supports global fintechs• Single-regulator advantage• Success of Bahrain’s regulatory sandbox• Local talent development & upskilling• Strategic access to GCC & MENA markets• Economic diversification beyond oil• Innovation in payments & digital banking• AI adoption in financial services• What’s next for Bahrain’s fintech ecosystem🔗 Learn MoreTony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.com/Dalal Buhejji: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dbuhejji/Bahrain Economic Development Board (EDB): https://www.bahrainedb.com/Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3D

In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Ben Brophy, Head of Institutional Growth, Europe at the Solana Foundation, to explore how the world’s fastest and most actively used blockchain is shaping the next generation of financial infrastructure.Ben shares his journey from traditional finance—spanning roles at NatWest and Fidelity International—to leading Solana’s institutional adoption across Europe. They dive into how Solana’s high-performance, single-layer network is driving on-chain innovation at scale, and what it means for banks, asset managers, and payment providers now entering the blockchain era.The conversation covers the institutional shift from private to public blockchains, the rise of tokenisation, the integration of on-chain solutions with treasury operations, and Solana’s vision to become “Nasdaq on the Internet.” Ben also unpacks Solana’s collaboration with R3, the regulatory evolution enabling public deployments, and the $2.5 billion DeFi capital request that’s opening new pathways between traditional finance and crypto-native ecosystems.📌 Topics covered:• How Solana became the world’s fastest and most adopted blockchain• The evolution of institutional blockchain adoption• Public vs. private networks—and why the shift matters now• Tokenisation, stablecoins, and yield-generating assets on-chain• The future of programmable compliance and transparent governance• R3 x Solana: bridging TradFi and DeFi• Why we’ve passed the tipping point for on-chain financeTune in to hear how Solana is redefining performance, trust, and innovation in blockchain—and why the next wave of institutional finance will be built on-chain.🔗 Learn More:Tony Clark: linkedin.com/in/tclark100The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.comSolana Foundation: https://solana.com/ &. https://x.com/solana?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5EauthorBen Brophy: linkedin.com/in/benbrophyNextWave Consulting: https://www.nxwave.com/Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?c=cG9zdDo5OTI5NzY%3D&nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6MTA%3D&s=nullThe Fourth Turning Is Here by Neil Howe: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Fourth-Turning-Here-Seasons-History/dp/1982173734/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2JGUG3UZKXC5Y&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.UnHitIUegc8AC05jF0ZWTZMwWgbhD9RWG1GpDfRjCDvGjHj071QN20LucGBJIEps.F2PF1-CK0Cy5SS6yy83q5mKyUWCdfZ4L4QY58AN2GWo&dib_tag=se&keywords=the+Fourth+Turning+Is+Here+by+Neil+Howe&qid=1760691367&sprefix=the+fourth+turning+is+here+by+neil+howe%2Caps%2C150&sr=8-1

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark sits down with Andy MacMillan, CEO of Alteryx, to explore how data, automation, and AI are reshaping the future of financial services.With a background in enterprise software and data management, Andy shares how Alteryx has evolved into a leading platform helping organisations operationalise AI—turning raw data into actionable insight. The conversation dives into what it takes to build trust in AI-driven systems, how financial institutions are integrating automation into both customer-facing and internal workflows, and why predictability and governance are critical to success.They also discuss Alteryx’s role as a data clearinghouse for AI applications, the importance of customer feedback in shaping innovation, and how the real promise of AI lies not in hype—but in solving practical business challenges.📌 Topics covered:• Data as the fuel powering the AI revolution• How Alteryx enables end-to-end AI adoption• Building trust and predictability in AI processes• The evolution of data management in financial services• Using AI to enhance customer experience and operations• The intersection of automation and human expertise• The customer-led approach driving Alteryx’s innovation• The future of AI: from experimentation to operational excellenceTune in to hear how Andy MacMillan and Alteryx are helping financial institutions turn data into their most strategic asset—and what it takes to bring AI to life responsibly.🔗 Learn more:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.comAndy MacMillan: https://www.linkedin.com/in/apmacmillan/Alteryx: https://www.alteryx.comGo Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3DOn the Calculation of Volume 1" by Solvej Balle: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Calculation-I-Solvej-Balle/dp/0571383378

🎙️ In this episode of the London Fintech Podcast, Tony Clark speaks with Symmie Swil, UK General Manager of Upvest, about the company’s role in financial technology and investment infrastructure.Symmie shares her career journey, the development of Upvest, and how embedded finance is being integrated into modern financial services. The conversation covers financial literacy, the use of AI in financial operations, and the supportive environment for fintech innovation in the UK.📌 Topics covered:• The growth of embedded finance in financial services• Symmie’s career path and leadership insights• The role of AI in financial operations• Financial literacy and education initiatives• UK fintech ecosystem and regulatory environment• Building culture and collaboration at Upvest🔗 Learn More:Tony Clark: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tclark100/The London Fintech Podcast: https://londonfintechpodcast.comSymmie Swil: https://www.linkedin.com/in/symmie/Upvest: https://upvest.co/Go Beyond The Podcast: https://resources.nxwave.com/hub/london-fintech-podcast?nav=aHViX3BhZ2U6NTY%3D&c=cG9zdDo5OTMzNTQ%3DCautionary Tales podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/2yPlb6ynbhTJbziSIcykQdHidden Brain podcast: https://www.hiddenbrain.org/Crossing the Chasm (book): https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crossing-Chasm-3rd-Disruptive-Mainstream/dp/0062292986