The FS Club Podcast

AI remains a hot topic, with many organisations exploring how to integrate its various technologies into their core operations. However, the use of AI presents societal, technical, and legal challenges. In this talk, we will explore how the UK's regulatory approach compares to the EU's AI Act, which will apply from August 2026. Speakers will examine key differences, discuss the practical implications for businesses, and offer insights into ensuring compliance. Join us to gain a deeper understanding of navigating AI regulations and building responsible AI strategies.

Speakers:

Adam Leon Smith is an expert in AI regulation and technical standards and works on research and strategy projects in that area. He is Chair of the AIQI Consortium, a global initiative to promote the use of the quality infrastructure for responsible AI, and Deputy Chair of the UK’s national AI standards committee. He has led four AI standardisation projects in ISO/IEC SC 42 as an Editor and two as a Convenor of SC 42 JWG 2 (Testing of AI systems). He is also very active CEN/CENELEC JTC 21, where he is Project Leader for two projects in response to the AI Act – the Quality Management System for EU AI Act Regulatory Purposes, and AI System Logging. He is also Chair of BCS Fellows Technical Advisory group.

Before involvement in quality infrastructure, Adam spent 20 years in senior technology roles, delivering verification and validation solutions for highly complex or high-risk industry challenges. In 2024, the University of Bath awarded Adam an honorary doctorate in recognition of his work and its impact on the profession.

David Doyle is known across Europe as a leading expert on EU financial services regulation and long-standing speaker at the Financial Services Club. A former diplomat with over 20 years of service on mainland Europe at bilateral and multilateral level, he now acts as an EU Policy Advisor between Brussels and London, specialising in regulatory developments in banking, fund management and insurance.

He is a member of the Executive Board of the joint MEP-EU industry advocacy body, The Kangaroo Group at the European Parliament, holds a seat on the Board of Directors of the Genesis Initiative at Westminster that promotes entrepreneurship and SME policy, as well as being active in the Transatlantic Business Council on Capital Markets and the Conference Board Corporate Governance Council.

The Global Financial Centres Index has been tracking the development of the world’s financial centres since 2007 and is the authoritative guide to financial centre success.

In this webinar, Z/Yen will formally launch the 37th edition of the index.

Programme:

09:00 Introduction & Welcome – Hugh Morris

09:05 GFCI 37 Results - Mike Wardle, CEO, Z/Yen Group

09:20 Commentary - Hugh Morris

09:25 Q&A

09:45 Close

Speakers:

Mike Wardle is CEO and the Head Of Indices for Z/Yen, managing work on the development and delivery of the Global Financial Centres Index, Global Green Finance Index, and Smart Centres Index. Mike worked as a civil servant for almost 20 years mostly within the field of education policy. He was a director and then Chief Executive of the General Social Care Council, establishing the regulation of social workers. Mike's career moved into consultancy, programme management and coaching and he worked with Z/Yen for six years delivering programme management services to the Church of England, Unison, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, and Chelsea and Westminster NHS Foundation Trust before taking up his current role.

Background: Artificial Intelligence is reshaping the way organisations attract, evaluate, and retain talent. From automating tedious recruitment tasks to enhancing workforce analytics, AI-driven solutions promise greater efficiency and smarter decision-making. However, the successful integration of AI into HR practices requires more than just technological investment—it demands a strategic approach with collaboration, transparency, and trust between humans and machines.

This talk explores the top tips of AI talent management, offering insights into how organisations can use AI for predictive hiring, employee engagement, and workforce development. We’ll also look at some of the key challenges—such as algorithmic bias, ethical considerations, and the human-AI collaboration dynamic. Join me to discover how AI can be a game-changer in hiring the best people and building stronger, more agile teams for the future.

Speaker:

Dr Sian Joel-Edgar is an Associate Professor in Human-Centred Computing at Northeastern University London with research expertise in Information Systems and human perception of technology such as Artificial Intelligence. She is the Director of Postgraduate Taught at Northeastern University London. 

Northeastern University London is part of the Northeastern Global Network which specialises in offering high-value experiential learning and partnerships to add impact to employer partners, with themes of digital transformation, AI and human competencies at the core of their research and education.

Background: The Labour government has already published the first draft of an industrial policy entitled ‘Invest 2035’. After seeking consultation, the intention is to implement a battle plan in 2025. Yet evidenced on the direction taken by other countries, such as Japan, South Korea and Taiwan, sustainable success is a long-term plan. Their future mindset is ‘Invest 2045’ or ‘Invest 2055’.

What should the UK be doing? It has abundant resources, a talented workforce, great universities, and a quality of life to attract the best international talent. How should British industrial strategy be made? To paraphrase the Chinese strategist Sun Tzu, how can the UK “grasp and win”?

Speaker:

A qualified barrister and solicitor, Iain Sheridan has over 20 years' experience advising on financial regulation. His consulting experience includes advising ABN AMRO, Bank of America, Barclays, Citadel, Deutsche Bank, Fidelity International, and Société Générale. He was also the former head of legal (EMEA and APAC) for the boutique FIG investment bank Fox-Pitt Kelton. Iain currently acts as a consultant for the international law firm Linklaters.

His book Financial Regulation and Technology (Edward Elgar) is relied on by practitioners throughout Asia, Europe, and North America. He coined the term asynchronous compliance to describe the gap between technologically driven business strategies and regulation.

Iain studied data science at Oxford University and machine learning at Cambridge University. His scientific research on GNSS and drones was also published by the Royal Society. Most recently, he is the author of Semiconductors – Law, Strategy and Tax (Edward Elgar).

Background: Z/Yen's "Focus On" series highlights key business and financial centres from around the world. Here, we look at Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s most populous city and largest financial centre. This city is also known as the “Pearl of the Far East” with the charming heritage, dynamic, vibrant and innovative atmosphere, and friendly people. Vietnamese government sets out the goal to be a high-income country by 2045 and reach net-zero emissions by 2050. They also strive to turn Ho Chi Minh City into the international financial center (IFC) by 2045 and create distinct institutional areas for attracting foreign investors. Vietnam’s Prime Minister is now leading the steering committee of the IFC project and this shows the government’s determination. The IFC in Vietnam will provide opportunities to UK businesses in terms of expertise sharing, trade and investment.

Speakers:

Dominic Scriven's investing career spans nearly 40 years across London, Hong Kong and Vietnam. He studied at Hanoi University for two years before founding Dragon Capital in 1994. He has received an OBE from the British Queen, and a Labour Medal from the President of Vietnam. Dominic Scriven holds a Combined Honours degree in Law and Sociology from Exeter University.

Nguyen Thuy Hanh has over 30 years of banking experience in Vietnam. Hanh leads the client coverage and product teams focused on driving the growth strategy for the bank’s clients, people, shareholders, and communities. Under her leadership, the bank provides the banking products and services to 3 client groups through various product lines including, but not limited to transaction banking, financial market, capital market, securities services, M&A advisory, rating advisory, and ESG etc.

She is also working closely with Vietnam government bodies, and market participants to implement the JETP and contribute to deliver the commitment of Vietnam in achieving net zero emissions by 2050.

Hanh has held various important positions in SCB, including Head of Financial Institutions - Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia (2010 - 2015); Deputy General Director - Head of International Corporate and Financial Institutions (2016 – 2017); Managing Director - Head of Commercial Banking (2018 – 2020); Managing Director - Head of CIB Client Coverage (2020 – 30/9/2024) and CEO & Head of Corporate and Investment Banking, Vietnam (1/10/2024 – Now).

Hanh holds a Master of Business Administration of Solvay Brussels School of Economics and Management - Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Andrew Oldland is a senior lawyer specialising in international financial regulation. He is a partner in the UK law firm Michelmores and was the firm's Senior Partner between 2017 and 2021. Andrew is ranked by the Legal 500 directory as a "Leading Individual".

Andrew is a barrister, a King's Counsel and a part-time judge sitting in civil/commercial and criminal cases. He previously held a number of senior UK government roles as independent counsel including the Attorney-General's A list of counsel, standing counsel to His Majesty's Revenue & Customs and the Serious Fraud Office's list of counsel. Andrew has advised a number of governments on financial regulation, particularly in respect of common law based international financial centres.

Z/Yen's "Focus On" series highlights key business and financial centres from around the world. Here we look at Seoul, which is the largest city and capital of South Korea, as well as being home to many Fortune 500 companies, such as Samsung, LG, and Hyundai. In this webinar, Bonhi Gu will primarily deal with general information on Seoul city as a global financial hub and Invest Seoul as a foreign investment promotion agency established by Seoul Metropolitan Government.

Speaker:

Bonhi Gu is the Commissioner of Invest Seoul since 2022, with over 20 years of his previous career in banking industry.

He is truly enthusiastic about making Seoul a leading hub of global business, innovation, and talent in Asia. Most recently Mr. Gu has been leading work for Woori Bank Korea.

There, he served as an investment banking manager & derivative trader in London & Seoul. Before that, from 2011-2015,

he led the Global Business Department where he handled both HR issues and budget management of overseas networks and employees.

Also, he contributed to the company by launching banking products for global Wealth Management clients. His work has taken him to Woori Bank Europe GmbH in 2016,

where he mainly focused on corporate banking business, money intermediary, and bond trading business.

A regular speaker at the FS Club, EU Regulatory Expert David Doyle is back to give a new year update on the EU financial services regulatory agenda.

He will be covering some of the most contentious and game-changing pieces of EU legislation in the financial services space, notably:

In our Esop Sofa 2024 end of year round-up, the Esop Centre’s panel of employee share scheme experts will look at the impact of October’s Budget and PISCES (Private Intermittent Securities and Capital Exchange System).

Suzannah Crookes, Legal Director at Tapestry Compliance, will discuss the Budget’s impact on employee share ownership in general. Esop Barrister David Pett of Temple Tax Chambers, will examine the announced reforms to Employee Ownership Trusts. And Corpgro Founder Damian Carnell will guide us through the progress of PISCES following announcements in the Chancellor’s Mansion House speech.

Chairing the panel, Darren Smith of Global Shares (JP Morgan), will be asking for their predictions for the year ahead, too.