Our Advisory Panel
The experts who are supporting and mentoring our Innovators' journey.
John Macpherson
Acting Chair of Advisory Panel
Independent Advisor
Advice to Innovators:
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 Thompson
Delivery Lead – Investments, Abrdn
Advice to Innovators:
“Clearly identify your USP along the value chain, engage early with both prospective customers and regulators and embrace agile practises.”
Daniel Lehmann
Head of Business Management Technology, Operations & Products, Allianz Global Investors
Advice to Innovators:
“Have a critical view about the value your idea adds to the business and customers. Once you find it, be passionate about it and don’t give up!”
Olivier Bouteille
Deputy CEO and COO,
Amundi UK
Advice to Innovators:
“Grow your network within your industry and your ecosystems. Your solutions will have to dock onto your clients and partners environments and value chains, so you need allies who will help you position them successfully.”
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”
Jack White
Digital Innovation, Securities Services, Citi
Advice to Innovators:
“Don’t be afraid to pivot your proposition (within reason). If your core innovation is sound and you commit to it, you’ll find your niche”
Charles Kerrigan
Partner & Global Head of FinTech, CMS
Advice to Innovators:
“Know your (target) customer”
Prasad Chandrasheker
Global Head of Emerging Technology Strategy, Fidelity International
Advice to Innovators:
“Focus on the unmet needs of the customer and deliver them using strong technology and service foundations.”
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”
Paul Dimambro
Investment & Retirement Director, Hargreaves Lansdown
Advice to Innovators:
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Rezso Szabo
Partner, Illuminate Financial
Advice to Innovators:
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David Reed
Director – Distribution Strategy & Innovation, Invesco
Advice to Innovators:
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Brenda Sklar
Global Chief Operating Officer, Legal & General Investment Management
Advice to Innovators:
“Keep the client at the center of everything you do. Have conviction and be resilient.”
Mahesh Nair
Chief Technology Officer, Lumyna Investments
Advice to Innovators:
“The value of an idea lies in how it’s used”
Rodney Hutchinson
Head of Business Solutions, M&G Investments
Advice to Innovators:
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Ferdinand van Heerden
Chief Executive Officer, Momentum Investments
Advice to Innovators:
“To change established thinking, simplicity and clarity of thought are key, but often complex to explain, deliver and monetise.”
Naqash Tahir
Director, Head of Systems – Europe & Chair of the European Innovation Council, PGIM Real Estate
Advice to Innovators:
“Don’t focus on the number of functions your applications has, focus on the impact and quality of each one”
Siobhan Clarke
COO, Royal London Asset Management
Advice to Innovators:
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Cecile Rousseau
Chief Technology Officer,
Ruffer LLP
Advice to Innovators:
“There are multiple paths to innovation. It is less about offering products than understanding clients’ problems and possible solutions.”
Charlotte Wood
Head of Innovation, Schroders
Advice to Innovators:
“Go after specific, validated use cases – don’t leave it up to potential customers to figure out how or why your product is relevant to their business.”
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.”
