What does inclusive leadership actually look like in practice?

In this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, host Nadia speaks with Neetu Kumar, Head of Graduate Programmes at Centrica, about her 23-year journey through talent, technology, and inclusion, and why her core leadership philosophy is simple: help people win.

They explore inclusive hiring beyond policy, the danger of “culture fit”, the power of diversity of thought, and why reasonable adjustments shouldn’t feel awkward or exceptional. Neetu shares practical insight into embedding belonging into emerging talent programmes and talent acquisition strategies, not as an add-on, but as a foundation.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

Leadership isn’t about titles — it’s about access, opportunity, and the doors we choose to open for others.

In this International Women’s Day 2026 Special, we’re joined by our event sponsors as we explore this year’s theme, Leadership That Opens Doors. Together, we unpack what inclusive leadership really looks like in practice, why International Women’s Day matters to all genders, and how everyday decisions shape careers, cultures, and futures across our industry.

From creating fair opportunity and challenging quiet bias, to sharing access, visibility, and belief — this conversation is about leadership grounded in reality, not slogans.

🎧 Listen now and join us on 3 March in London for lunch, networking, and powerful conversations that move the industry forward.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

Careers in FinTech aren't linear.

So why do we still hire like they are?

In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Alexandra Sheller, Advisor and Principal Consultant at The Bridgeview Group Ltd, recorded live at FinTech Connect 2025.

They explore what inclusion really looks like when markets shift, careers zig-zag, and talent doesn’t fit a traditional CV. From skills-first hiring and empathy in leadership to the small changes that unlock overlooked potential, this conversation is practical, honest, and grounded in real industry experience.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

In this latest episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Gary O'Brien, Global Head of Banks and Broker Segment Strategy at BNP Paribas, joins Nadia live from FinTech Connect 2025 for a candid conversation on inclusive leadership in financial services.

Together, they explore why inclusion isn’t a “nice to have,” but a real competitive advantage for banks and FinTechs, how diverse teams drive stronger decision-making and innovation, and what leaders can do to move from intent to impact. Gary also shares practical insight on collaboration between banks and FinTechs, trust, regulation, and why inclusion is ongoing work, not a tick-box exercise.

If you care about building high-performing, inclusive teams in FinTech, this one’s for you.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

In this episode, Nadia is joined by Hana Rolles, Chief Commercial Officer at Bank of London, for an honest and insightful conversation on what real inclusion looks like inside modern financial services.

From Hana’s journey as an engineer to senior commercial leadership, to building cultures where people feel safe, confident, and able to perform at their best, this episode goes beyond DEI theory and into lived experience. Together, they explore why inclusion isn’t a tick-box exercise, but a genuine performance driver for FinTechs building the next generation of banking and embedded finance.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

In this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, Nadia is joined by Adam Betteridge, FinTech, Partnerships & Open Banking Lead at TSB Bank, recorded live at FinTech Connect 2025.

Together, they explore how open banking can reduce bias in financial services, why inclusion is never one-size-fits-all, and what genuine allyship looks like inside banks and FinTechs today. 

Adam shares his personal journey, reflections on representation, and why challenging who’s in the room is critical to building fairer financial products.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

On this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions, recorded live at FinTech Connect 2025, Nadia is joined by Wasim Mushtaq, Founder of 1CG, for a powerful and deeply honest conversation about what real allyship looks like in practice.

From sponsorship vs mentorship, to why inclusion happens behind closed doors, not just on panels, Wasim shares lived experiences, hard truths, and practical actions leaders (and non-leaders alike) can take to create fairer, more inclusive workplaces across FinTech.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

Recorded live at FinTech Connect 2025, this episode of FinTech's DEI Discussions sees Nadia in conversation with Saeed Rafay, Innovation & Digital Transformation Leader at ABN AMRO Bank.

Saeed shares his personal journey into technology, why access and opportunity matter more than ever in FinTech, and how real innovation depends on who is invited into the conversation. From underprivileged beginnings to leading change, this is an honest discussion about inclusion, leadership, and opening doors across financial technology.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com

On this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia sits down with Amanda Jenkins, Chief Impact Officer at 10x Banking, the leading UK FinTech – providing core banking technology ready for 2040, today Amanda joins us for a powerful conversation on creating workplaces where people feel safe, supported, and inspired.

From psychological safety to grassroots inclusion, Amanda shares how 10x Banking embeds impact into every decision, and why meaningful change often starts small.

FinTech's DEI Discussions is powered by Harrington Starr, global leaders in Financial Technology Recruitment. For more episodes or recruitment advice, please visit our website www.harringtonstarr.com