Voting now open for the Financial Services Council nominees!
We would like to invite techUK members to please cast their votes for the new Financial Services Council representatives.
The primary role of the Financial Services Council is to represent our members and function as the bridge between the financial and technology sectors. Objectives for the Council will be to take clear positions on industry issues pertaining to financial services and technology, to act as a bridge between industry and relevant regulators, and to bring together the technology and financial services sectors. The Council will meet quarterly and members are elected for a two year period.
You can views all our nominees below and click on them to read their biography and priorities for the Council.
Please note that voting is open to techUK members only and it is one vote per company. If multiple ballots are received we will select the more senior contact's preference. Voting closes Monday 28th April COP.
Good luck to all nominees!
Angus McFadyen
Angus McFadyen
I am a technology lawyer that has been working within the FS sector since 2005 - though this time i have worked on industry-wide initiatives and major changes affecting the sector (e.g. the increasing adoption of cloud, introduction of open banking and now open finance, and implications of AI). My role in Pinsent Masons is to lead the Tier 1 team of lawyers that delivers technology transactions and advisory capability to all sectors, with FS being my personal focus. This gives me great visibility of market and deal trends and issues, and a breadth of experience that I can tap into to support the work of the FS Council.
What themes should the FS Council focus on?
Helping bring together tech and FS, working to remove blockers and bring best practice from one to the other to mutual benefit. I have supported and see good progress in this respect through digital identity initiatives by TechUK, and through events that we have collaborated on with Tech UK (e.g. webinar on operational resilience which we ran on a joint basis and brought together a panel of tech and FS reps, and the innovation conference that we have supported on multiple occasions). I see some big opportunities in this space, particularly in relation to resilience and, within that, technology change risk management and cloud resilience. Smart data is also a theme that will build through the next 2 years; FS is only a part of that and so the FS programme will need to collaborate with others on this.
Ben Ridgeway
Ben Ridgeway
I began my career Asia working in the inter-bank market for BGC Partners (Cantor Fitzgerald). Over 5 years my focus in Asia and then London was on currency derivatives, trading billions daily between major investment banks. From here, I moved to the banking side with Denmark’s Saxo Bank. My coverage here for 5 years crossed a huge range of asset classes. Across these 10 years in the markets, the interaction with technology was high and its importance was paramount (at one point I had 7 screens!). I moved to Nology in 2019 to begin providing technology workforce solutions to banks, insurers and other financial services firms, as well as consultancies that deal with them. I run the practice here that looks after our finance clients and looks to help them overcome digital skills gap and diversity challenges over the long term.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Due to my background and current position, I’m always interested in financial markets technology and workforce solutions.
I’d be keen to encourage the FS programme to look at how technology can drive increased efficiency in the markets. There’s so many aspects to this, but to name a few it’s about low latency trading, providing more efficient regulation, using AI to upgrade legacy systems/processes, allowing firms to protect themselves and their customers (e.g., better hedging) and to push research forward such as in rare earth minerals.
In the technology workforce solutions space, I speak to companies on a daily basis about their challenges. I’d encourage the FS programme to understand where organisations can diversify their location strategies within the UK. There is also huge pressure on graduate culture and a keen interest in career changers, particularly since the pandemic, and TechUK can play a huge part in understanding this and working to push this to positive solutions in lots of ways. Lastly, with the recent reversal of diversity programmes, we can do a lot to encourage diversity in all it’s forms, leading to a brighter FS +Tech world in the UK, with more varied opinions and better outcomes as a result!
Chris Knox
Chris Knox
I currently lead on Microsoft's regulatory strategy and global engagement with regulators and customers on existing and forthcoming Technology policy such as DORA and the UK CTP. As well as this external facing remit, I also work closely with Engineering, Legal and Marketing teams at Microsoft to help uplift our Technology stack, control environment, contracts and product positioning. I also represent Microsoft as part of various working groups such as those led by US Treasury (Financial Services Sector Coordinating Council (FISSC)), as well as presenting at various international bodies such as the Financial Stability Board (FSB) and the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision (BCBS).
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
As the financial services landscape evolves, I believe that techUK’s Financial Services (FS) Council should look to focus on three strategic themes:
AI and Responsible Innovation:
AI is transforming FS, from fraud detection to hyper-personalized customer experiences. The Council should champion the responsible development and deployment of AI, ensuring transparency, fairness, and security, while fostering innovation.
Cybersecurity and Resilience:
With growing digital interconnectivity, the threat landscape is expanding. The FS Council must prioritize strengthening cyber defences, advocating for collaborative threat intelligence sharing, and supporting firms in meeting evolving regulatory requirements.
Open Finance and Data Empowerment:
Building on the success of Open Banking, the Council should push for an open finance ecosystem — driving data portability, interoperability, and consumer empowerment, while addressing critical data privacy and governance concerns.
Additionally, the Council should explore how cloud adoption, quantum computing, and digital identity solutions can reshape FS infrastructure. By aligning with regulators and industry leaders, techUK can drive forward-thinking policies that balance innovation with security and inclusivity.
Representing Microsoft, I would be committed to partnering with techUK to build a resilient, customer-centric, and future-ready financial ecosystem.
Dr Christina Yan Zhang
Dr Christina Yan Zhang
Christina has 19 years’ experience working with UN leaders, government ministers, universities presidents, and Fortune 500 CEOs on innovation.
She is UN ITU Co-chair of Pre-standardisation for CitiVerse TaskGroup and authored 1st UN approved technical report on “People-Centered CitiVerse,” using AI to develop a people-centered, planet-friendly digital future, leading to international standards. This is supported by 18 UN agencies, including the World Bank, Interpol etc. She is working with financial institutions to develop a framework on financing city infrastructure projects.
Alongside the 73rd President of the UN General Assembly, she sits on Advisory Council for Centre for Science Futures of International Science Council, the world's largest science body of 250 national/international academies of sciences to advise on the impact of AI on Science. She sits on The Economist Impact’s “AI Economy” Advisory Board, examining AI’s global economic implications. She is regularly consulted by UN Office for Digital and Emerging Technologies.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
1. Digital Innovation & Emerging Technologies: Drive adoption of AI, blockchain, and cloud computing to enhance operational efficiency and customer-centric solutions. Prioritize Open Finance ecosystems to foster data-driven services and competition.
2. Regulatory Agility & Compliance: Guide firms through evolving regulations (e.g., crypto-assets, AI governance) while advocating for proportionate, innovation-friendly policies. Focus on cross-border alignment post-Brexit to maintain UK competitiveness.
3. Cybersecurity & Resilience: Strengthen defenses against cyber threats via shared threat intelligence, regulatory collaboration, and frameworks for operational continuity in critical infrastructure.
4. Sustainable Finance & ESG Tech: Support tech solutions for ESG reporting, carbon footprint analytics, and green fintech to align finance with net-zero goals.
5. Inclusion & Ethical Tech: Promote accessible digital services (e.g., affordable banking tools) and ensure ethical AI deployment to mitigate bias and build trust.
6. Collaborative Ecosystems: Facilitate partnerships between fintechs, incumbents, and regulators to co-develop innovations (e.g., CBDCs, fraud prevention).
7. Talent & Skills: Address sector-wide skills gaps by championing upskilling in AI, cybersecurity, and data science through industry-academia partnerships.
8. Data Governance & Privacy: Balance open data opportunities with robust privacy safeguards, emphasizing consent frameworks and secure interoperability.
Graham Drury
Graham Drury
I started my career as a consultant / developer and spent a long time working with key market infrastructure providers such as Cedel / Clearstream and Liffe before moving to technology providers. I am now responsible for Google Cloud's sales and go to market activities across the UK financial services landscape.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
1. Helping to support the FS sector to have a unified understanding of key technology regulation
2. Helping to advocate for policy clarification to aid the adoption of novel technologies.
3. Ensure techUK's FS council has a tight collaboration with Finance UK (or equivalent) to understand and articulate how finance and technology can support UK Plc's growth agenda
Ian Stevens
Ian Stevens
I’m a partner in global law firm CMS’s Tier 1 technology practice. With over 25 years’ experience, I’m a trusted adviser to some of the largest global suppliers of cloud and other technology services, major financial services firms, and a wide range of scale-up and start-up fintech businesses, including members of the firm’s equIP incubator programme.
I support clients in policy advocacy, interpreting and operationalising new regulations, standards and guidance impacting their infrastructure and operating models (including cyber security, operational resilience, data protection, open banking, cloud switching and artificial intelligence) and the commercialisation, procurement and supply of technology and data infrastructure and services.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Access to data – open banking, smart data schemes, digital ID and operationalising the Data (Use and Access) Bill in a financial services context.
Cyber security – the implications of the new Cyber Security and Resilience Bill for financial services, its interface with existing cyber security, operational resilience and financial services regulation in the UK and EU (including CP17/24, EU NIS 2, RCE and DORA) and the compliance, audit and incident reporting burden on technology companies.
Quantum computing in the context of financial services (including operational resilience, security and the potential impact on cryptography and blockchain based solutions).
AI and digital risk management policy in financial services – encouraging innovation while maintaining a focus on good governance and customer outcomes.
Ksenia Duxfield-Karyakina
Ksenia Duxfield-Karyakina
Ksenia is a public policy expert with a career spanning financial services and technology, with a particular focus on the intersection of finance and digital regulation. She has worked across the UK, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Emerging Markets, advising business executives and engineering leaders on regulatory engagement strategies, risk governance for technology adoption in the financial sector, AI, data governance, cloud infrastructure, and cybersecurity.
As a Managing Partner at Forefront Advisers, Ksenia leads the firm’s technology policy practice in the UK and EU, working with institutional investors and industry leaders across the financial and technology sectors. Her major focus is on helping organisations navigate and assess the risks of the evolving technology policy landscape - as it impacts their business priorities and investment portfolios - in the shifting geopolitical context.
Prior to joining Forefront, Ksenia headed public policy and regulatory affairs for Google Cloud in Europe, focusing on highly regulated sectors, including financial services. She led Google Cloud’s advocacy and regulatory engagement on the Digital Operational Resilience Act (DORA) and the UK’s Critical Third Party regime, while also supporting internal compliance preparedness efforts.
Earlier in her career, Ksenia served as Head of Public Policy for YouTube across Asia-Pacific and Eurasia, based in Hong Kong and Moscow.
Ksenia began her professional journey in financial services, working on anti-fraud and financial crime policy within the OECD ecosystem and the Russian banking sector.
She holds a PhD in new media economics and is a trained journalist. Outside of work, she is a parent to two daughters, an art lover, and an avid reader of (paper) books.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
techUK is well positioned to bridge the gap between technology policy and financial services regulatory priorities — a largely unoccupied niche in the current ecosystem. It enjoys a unique position to connect financial services and digital regulators, with privileged access to both the Bank of England and DSIT. techUK is also well placed to convene UK and EU perspectives, particularly in light of the post-Brexit regulatory reset.
I would propose focusing on four key areas:
- Transformation of risk governance and industry preparedness in light of the implementation of the UK Critical Third Party (CTP) regime, its intersections with DORA and EU cybersecurity regulations, and anticipated reforms to the UK’s own cyber regulatory framework.
- Adoption of AI in finance, with a focus on systemic risk governance and regulatory frameworks that can support safe deployment.
- The future of tokenisation, stablecoins, and the broader digital assets ecosystem in the UK, including how this evolves in comparison with developments across the EU.
- Policy and regulatory developments around fraud, and the evolving role of technology companies in prevention and detection. While the EU is moving towards regulatory solutions through the Payment Services Regulation (PSR) debate, the UK has yet to redefine its approach.
Matthew Barnard
Matthew Barnard
I am part of the executive team at BBD where we specialise in solution development.
My experience is in project delivery and consulting of custom application development services for financial services clients in Europe and Africa. Specific expertise in global markets and forex trading, international payments, fintech payments.
Specialties: New Business Development, Software Solutions, Integration, IT Strategy & Cloud Technology.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Enabling smaller SME technology companies.
Payments modernisation
Michael Jefferson
Michael Jefferson
I am head of Financial Services Public Policy UK, Africa, Middle East and Switzerland at AWS and also lead on engagement with international bodies such as the Financial Stability Board (FSB). This means I work with customers and am responsible for policy and engagement for issues relating to adoption and use of cloud across the finance sector - including those innovative and growing companies that make up techUK's membership. Prior to AWS I have experience working in policy and engagement roles across technology, trade associations, investment banking and the UK Government - so I am well placed to give a perspective on policy development and impact of regulatory changes relating to technology in financial services.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
I think there are 3 areas which should be a priority for the FS programme. First we should look at what regulatory changes mean for techUK and its members, including the introduction of the critical third party (CTP) regime. Second, we should look at the fundamental environment for technology companies in the UK and how scaling and funding for start-ups work in the FS tech space in which the UK is such a leader. Lastly we should look at AI and what that means for the wider policy and business environment.
Mike Lynch
Mike Lynch
At Condatis, I work as the IAM Lead in the Financial Services vertical. Condatis is a specialist Microsoft identity partner, and we are uniquely placed as a leading solutions provider covering the entire Microsoft Entra Identity and Access Management product suite. We offer unparalleled expertise in helping CIOs, Heads of Transformation, and IAM professionals secure their digital environments by building security strategies with a Zero-Trust model that is fit for the future.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Focusing on Relevance: Offer insights to senior security leaders that directly address their identity security concerns and priorities.
Addressing Zero Trust Alignment: Highlighting how technologies align with Zero Trust and can be further enhanced with intelligence and analytics to detect and respond to threats in real-time.
Facilitating Compliance and Governance: Providing tools for managing identities and access controls in line with regulatory requirements and helping organisations maintain compliance.
Enhancing Security: Using advanced authentication methods to protect against unauthorised access and cyber threats.
Encouraging Cross-Platform Support: Providing flexibility in how organisations manage identities and access.
Working to simplify access: Improving convenience and productivity.
Niall Archibald
Niall Archibald
My background has been focused on transformation in Financial Services. This was originally as a management consultant at Deloitte working with global banks in roles in Hong Kong and London. Through this I worked on regulation and risk, front to back technology change, operating model transformation and major industry themes like Brexit. I then brought this industry experience to Microsoft, first leading Microsoft's UK Financial Services industry strategy, and then leading Sales Strategy for the LSEG Microsoft Partnership. I focus on delivering growth through product innovation and GTM strategies based on Cloud and AI technologies and industry partnerships across Financial Services. I have previously led Microsoft's membership programmes with UK Finance, the ABI, and the Investment Association.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Growth of representation, breadth of market coverage - Primarily, the focus should be on supporting technology firms that serve UK Financial Services, either exclusively, or as a focus industry segment. There is a growth opportunity for increased mid-tier tech firm representation within the Council and the broader programme, i.e. established technology and data firms, perhaps with global operations, but a sizeable investment in UK Financial Services. I believe this increased representation is a key focus area.
Innovation in user experience for retail customers - Open Banking and Open Finance: enabling the data economy for increased interoperability and ease of experience. Digital Identity: technology solutions for increased ease of access and usage of financial services
AI productivity solutions for Financial Services employees - promoting innovation in enhanced user productivity and democratisation of data using new technologies such as Gen AI and agentic workflows
Financial Services regulation with impact on technology firms - Understanding, responding to, and influencing policy such as Operational Resilience, Critical Third Parties, and also AI regulation from FCA & BofE/PRA
Racheal Muldoon
Racheal Muldoon
Remit of my current position: I am a partner at Charles Russell Speechlys' London headquarters within the Financial Services Regulation and Funds Team. My remit is to assist traditional and decentralised financial institutions and other industry clients to comply with financial services legal frameworks.
Bio on my working history: My financial services related practice spans over eight years beginning with my time at the FCA where I assisted the Enforcement and Markets Oversight Team and Criminal Prosecution Team both with supervision and enforcement action. This formed the foundation of my practice acting for financial regulators the World over, including representing the Securities Commission of the Bahamas (SCB) as court-appointed trustees of $5bn cryptoassets in the FTX insolvency. Alongside this contentious practice, I have advised many industry clients with regards to compliance with the FCA's supervision of cryptoasset related activities and promotions.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
The traditional financial (TradFi's) embrace of (i) decentralised finance through stablecoin issuance and embrace of distributed ledger technology (DLT) including the utilisation of digital escrow through smart contracting and (ii) artificial intelligence, including continuous behavioural biometrics and advanced financial modelling.
Sam Adekunle
Sam Adekunle
I started my career helping fintech startups navigate the complexities of payments, ensuring they could scale effectively. Later, as a presales engineering lead at Bancore (Denmark), I worked with fintechs to integrate card payment APIs and expand their reach. Over the years, I’ve been deeply involved in cross-border payments, blockchain, and Web3, shaping new financial standards.
Today, I focus on empowering SMEs and startups by helping them leverage cloud infrastructure to scale their financial services and deliver faster, more efficient solutions to their customers.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
Stable coins and global payment
Financial Services on Cloud
Using AI to grow revenue
Sean Devaney
Sean Devaney
I am Vice President, Strategy for Banking and Financial Markets at CGI, specialising in the Payments domain with significant exposure to regulatory change, payments strategy and the outsourcing industry, formally a steering committee member at the Digital Pound Foundation think tank. I have 25+ years of experience in the Financial Services industry, ranging from the design of outsourced payment processing operations to a lead role in the development of the UK’s Faster Payments Service, Current Account Switching Service and Open Banking overlay services. I led the development of the Technical Architecture and Infrastructure design for Nexus, a Bank for International Settlements Innovation Hub initiative to enable cross border payments. I am responsible for the development of CGI’s Banking and Financial Markets strategy across digitisation, payments, bank operations, risk and regulation, looking at the impact of novel banking trends such as digital currencies, account to account payments and supplier fragmentation.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
- Digital Infrastructure resiliency – looking at the next step after DORA in the EU and its impact on FS in the UK, looking at changing geopolitical tensions particularly.
- AI and its use in Financial Services – focused on the responsible use of AI and how work being done by government and the regulators can be integrated with FS initiatives.
- Open Data – looking at the government’s Smart Data initiatives, expanding from the current state of Open Banking to Open Finance, use of API’s, smart contracts, etc.
- Payment System modernisation – inputting into the work on the National Payments Vision to ensure a world class payments infrastructure for the UK.
- Cybersecurity – taking account of the rise in cyber-attacks, look at standards and approaches to AI security, quantum readiness in cybersecurity and open data initiatives.
Simon Cox
Simon Cox
28 years working in Technology in UK FS, former CIO in the insurance and banking sectors. 3 years ago joined ServiceNow to help their customers navigate through their transformations. My role is Global and cross-industry, but has a significant focus on working with FS customers in UK&I.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
- Operational Resilience
- AI/GenAI in Financial Services
- Digital Assets
- How best to leverage the Government's Growth mission for the betterment of both the technology and FS sectors
Steve Rackham
Steve Rackham
I began my career in technology working for Sequent Computers, spending time at Intel and StorageTek. Joining NetApp in 2016, I have spent over 18 years focusing on the Financial Services Industry working with accounts across the vertical including heading up a Global pre-sales team for a large, multi-national bank before moving to my current CTO role.
I have been enhancing relationships with customers and strategic partners alike, helping them solve the different challenges that they face across FSI. I have also been exploring how the rapid advances in the use of AI is impacting Financial Services, changes to regulations and compliance such as DORA will impact organisations as they move forward and how ESG is steering conversations across the industry.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
I am in agreement that Operational Resilience- OpRes - (especially DORA) is a topic that is increasingly becoming more important. After recent events and the UK Treasury Committee asking a number of large UK banks about outages, OpRes will continue to be a focus for the industry for a long time to come.
Another topic from the call this week was AI in FS. With regulation still being decided in the UK and EU regulation starting to go live, FS want to utilise AI but will need help and guidance on how to approach this. I believe the council can play a part here.
As new technologies and developments such as quantum computing continue to develop, this has the potential for large repercussions around areas such as security in FS. Understanding the reality of this would be an area that should be considered.
Finally, digital currency/CDBC will continue to move forward globally. The UK needs to ensure we don't lose focus of this.
Tom Graham
Tom Graham
I'm a partner in Accenture's UK business, and lead our work with Banking clients. I also run Accenture's Fintech Innovation Labs/growth programme. I help clients use technology to innovate and modernise.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
As a member of the past 2 years, I think the programme should speak out on topics it can have a unique POV; themes of operational resilience, moving forward with genAI without the current roadblocks, solving for identity and fraud.
Vince Mullin
Vince Mullin
Vince leads the Financial Services business in UK&I for NVIDIA. Collaborating daily with C-level Executives and Data Science Teams at Banks, Fintechs, Payments, Regulators & Central Banks to accelerate transformation by building AI Factories. This includes navigating the complexities of AI adoption in FS such as regulation, data privacy & security, explainability and overcoming legacy infrastructure limitations. Part of the role also includes enabling the ecosystem of Financial Software firms, Cloud Service Providers, OEM's, Management Consultancies and VC’s to adopt AI and make connections across the industry for the benefit of UK PLC. An example is a quarterly AI meet-up that Vince organises. Previously, he led Microsoft’s Data & AI business for UK Banking, with prior leadership in Investments & Insurance. Vince has deep, practical experience in what works (and doesn’t) across cloud, data science, and GenAI.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
1. Building AI Factories
Encourage banks to industrialise access to AI by investing in internal AI platforms—“AI Factories”—that democratise compute, data, and tooling across teams. This is essential to shift AI from isolated pilots to scalable, production-grade deployments that deliver business value.
2. Public-Private Partnerships
Connect the UK’s AI Action Plan and growth agenda with the strategic role of Financial Services—contributing over £170bn to GDP. Aligning government support, funding, and incentives with FS innovation will maximise national impact.
3. Fostering the Next Fintech Wave
Leverage London's global Fintech leadership to support the next wave of startups. Focus on ecosystem enablers—open banking, regulatory sandboxes, access to capital and AI infrastructure—to maintain the UK’s competitive edge.
4. Informed De-/Regulation
Promote agile, informed regulation through collaboration between Big Tech, FS firms, and regulators. Identify and modernise legacy rules that hinder AI adoption, while exploring new frameworks (e.g. DORA-style oversight) to ensure resilience and avoid systemic reliance on single LLM providers.
5. Financial Literacy at Scale
Champion the use of technologies like conversational AI to improve public financial literacy. Enable proactive, personalised guidance to help consumers make informed decisions, reduce debt, and build long-term financial health.
(These views are my own).
Waheed Mahmood
Waheed Mahmood
Waheed Mahmood is a seasoned executive with over 25 years of experience in consulting and IT services, specializing in managed services, consulting, business transformation, and technology-driven innovation. Currently, he is part of financial services team at Rackspace, driving market growth across the UK and Europe. Previously, he held senior leadership roles at IBM and EDS/HP Enterprise Services, spearheading large-scale digital transformations for major global banks. Waheed has a proven track record in cloud services, automation, and business optimization, managing multimillion-dollar portfolios and global teams. His expertise spans hybrid cloud, DevOps, AI, and IT automation. A graduate of the University of Nottingham with an MSc from Middlesex University, he also holds a Diploma in Strategy & Innovation from Oxford’s Saïd Business School. His passion lies in leveraging technology for sustainable business growth.
What themes should the Financial Services Council focus on?
TechUK’s Financial Services Council and broader FS Programme should focus on key themes to drive innovation, resilience, and regulatory compliance in the financial sector.
AI and automation are transforming financial services, from risk management to customer interactions, necessitating discussions on responsible AI adoption and regulatory frameworks. Cloud adoption and digital transformation remain priorities, particularly in modernizing legacy systems, enhancing security, with AI infused services in a hybrid cloud environment.
BACS and CHAPS have been around since 1968 and 1984 so need modernisation and transformation in an environment where customers expect immediacy. This needs to be done alongside the digital currencies and CBDCs and how they are integrated into payments ecosystem.
Meanwhile, cybersecurity and resilience are critical as financial institutions combat evolving threats and comply with regulations like DORA and UK PRA guidelines. Address how RegTech can bootstrap compliance, ESG and the fraudsters targeting the vulnerable in society.
