Our Advisory Panel
The experts who are supporting and mentoring our Innovators' journey.
Siobhan Clarke
Chair of Advisory Panel
Head of International Investment Operations, M&G Investments
Advice to Innovators:
“Make sure you are clear on the business problem the technology is trying to solve”
Olivia Vinden
Deputy Chair of Advisory Panel
Head of FinTech and Innovation, UK, Alpha FMC
Advice to Innovators:
In the words of Simon Sinek “Start with why…”
John Macpherson
Deputy Chair of Advisory Panel
Independent Advisor
Advice to Innovators:
John Thompson
Delivery Lead – Investments, Standard Life Aberdeen
Advice to Innovators:
“Clearly identify your USP along the value chain, engage early with both prospective customers and regulators and embrace agile practises.”
Markus Lohman
Global Head of IT, Allianz Global Investors
Advice to Innovators:
“Listen activley to your target audience and test ideas fast.”
Sally Evans
Head of Operating Model Transformation, Aviva Investors
Advice to Innovators:
“Don’t be distracted by the naysayers!”
Giuseppe Tedone
Head of Global Portfolio Solutions, Barings Asset Management
Advice to Innovators:
“Think big, start small, act fast”
Joe Parkin
Head of Banks and Digital Channels in the UK, BlackRock
Advice to Innovators:
“Get live quickly with a Minimal Loveable Product (MLP) and learn from your customers”
Frank Roden
Head of Asset Management EMEA, BNP Paribas Securities Services
Advice to Innovators:
“Don’t be afraid to get things wrong from time to time but learn to fail quickly! Be brave, push boundaries and collaborate in the process.”
Gareth Johnson
Head of Digital Channels and Investment Services, Brewin Dolphin
Advice to Innovators:
“Do or do not, there is no try!”
Caroline Abbondanza
Group CTO, Brooks Macdonald
Advice to Innovators:
“This sector is open to innovation, seize the opportunity”
Adam Bradbury
Product Development and Strategy, Citi
Advice to Innovators:
‘To quote Steve Blank, “…no facts exist inside the building, only opinions.” continually validate both your riskiest assumptions and the subsequent solutions.’
James Perrin
COO of Distribution at Columbia Threadneedle
Richard Partridge
Head of Global Digital Wealth at Fidelity International
Advice to Innovators:
“Focus on customers – build it and show us customers using it.”
Stella Dang
Head of Investment Business Management, First State Investments
Advice to Innovators:
“You can’t solve a problem on the same level that it was created. You have to rise above it to the next level.”
Colin Bennett
Head of Digital Distribution, Global, GAM (UK) Limited
Advice to Innovators:
“Know your customer. Relentlessly validate your idea in partnership with your market. Make your product a must have, not a nice to have”
Chris Worle
CTO, Hargreaves Lansdown
Advice to Innovators:
“Discover and then never lose sight of the customer need. Always question the value and benefit you are bringing to them”
Mark Whitcroft
Partner, Illuminate Financial
Advice to Innovators:
“Partnering with the right people and organisations early on can make all the difference to success”
Dan Costa
Head of Technology Development, Insight Investment
Matthieu Grosclaude
COO, EMEA, Invesco
Anne Grim
Independent Advisor
Advice to Innovators:
“Keep the customer at the centre of your thinking – focus on their problem; get feedback; continually test and refine.”
Stuart Davis
Senior Associate and FinTech lead, Latham & Watkins
Advice to Innovators:
“Always consider how regulation will impact your business and embed compliance within your systems and culture right from the start.”
Graham Kellen
CTO, Schroders Personal Wealth
Advice to Innovators:
“Aim for the highest peak you see and keep climbing, one step at a time and never stop.”
Dr Paul Aldrich
Managing Director, Talent Impacts
Advice to Innovators:
“Coach and be coached”
Jeremy Leung, CFA
Portfolio Manager, Executive Director, UBS Asset Management
Advice to Innovators:
“Continuously test and refine your initial idea. Be humble and learn from your mistakes.”
James Hubbard
Fund Manager, Wesleyan
Advice to Innovators:
“Every industry has locked doors blocking the way to progress. Innovation is the key to opening them.”
