Innovate Finance appoints Louise Smith as Chair

Innovate Finance, the industry body representing UK FinTech, has named Louise Smith as its new Chair, to start in role on 9 July 2021.

Smith is Lloyd’s first Chief Digital Officer, and is responsible for the programme of work that supports Lloyd’s to further build its digital capabilities and offering across the insurance industry. She is nationally and internationally recognised as a thought leader on digital innovation, disruptive technologies and the emerging workforce. She is currently laying the groundwork to ensure Lloyd’s has a strong, consistent digital approach in its Future at Lloyd’s programme of work.

With an extensive career in creating and running digital business models, Smith is at the forefront of influencing and changing the shape and evolution of the financial services sector in the UK and globally. Smith is also a regional FinTech ambassador, appointed by the UK Government. In this role she supports new incumbents in the financial services sector and collaborates with the ‘start up’ community and challengers.

Smith will take over as Chair of Innovate Finance from Natalie Ceeney CBE, who has been in the role since May 2017. Smith will join the Board as a Director on 1 June 2021, and take over from Ceeney on 9 July 2021. Ceeney’s career has spanned the public and private sectors, across a range of policy, leadership and regulatory roles. In addition to Innovate Finance, Ceeney chairs the independent Access to Cash Review, and is a non-executive director of Anglian Water Services LTD, Ford Credit Europe and Sport England.

Smith says:

“I’m delighted to be stepping into the role of Chair at Innovate Finance and look forward to working closely with Janine and the wider team during a very exciting time for UK FinTech. The sector is maturing at a rapid rate and there is significant momentum following the Kalifa Review, with renewed support from government, industry and the wider community to fuel further financial innovation across the country.

“Having been closely involved with the growth and evolution of financial services through my executive career, I’m excited to continue supporting the innovators and entrepreneurs transforming the sector to better deliver for businesses and consumers alike.”

Ceeney says:

“It has been a wonderful four years serving as Chair of Innovate Finance, and I’m hugely proud of what we have achieved as a team. It’s been encouraging to see both Innovate Finance and the FinTech sector mature and grow from strength to strength, and I’m pleased to be leaving the organisation in Louise and Janine’s capable hands.

“Louise brings vital experience to the Chair role, both in understanding the fast-moving environment of innovation and being directly involved with key Government departments to deliver real change. Her unique expertise will enhance the work of Innovate Finance to advance the financial innovation agenda and support the UK FinTech ecosystem.”

Image source: Louise Smith/RBS

Latest

Jacqueline de Rojas CBE appointed as Chair of the Board of Trustees

Andy Street announced as Birmingham Rep’s new Chair of the Board of Trustees

John Whitgift Foundation appoints new CEO

FCA and PRA appoint new Chair of the FSCS

University of Glasgow announces Professor Andy Schofield as new Principal and Vice-Chancellor

Nurturing future leaders: Jane Gotts, Chair of The Glasgow Academy

Alan Cumming appointed new Artistic Director of Pitlochry Festival Theatre

Building Together for the Future: A series of insights from friends of the firm and long standing leaders across the Built Environment

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Haris Sultan

Jo Ogilvy rejoins Saxton Bampfylde as Consultant in the Schools’ Practice

Transforming Legal Services: Isabel Parker on AI, Innovation, and the Future of Law Firms

Nurturing future leaders: Interview with Emma Taylor, Warden and CEO of Dean Close Foundation

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Neil Davy, Chief Executive Officer at Family Business UK

Sandie Okoro OBE appointed as first female Chancellor of the University of Birmingham

SXSW London reveals key management team appointments

RSA announces Loyd Grossman CBE as Chair of the Board of Trustees

University of Chichester announces appointment of new Vice-Chancellor

DFN Project SEARCH appoints learning disability expert Kirsty Matthews as new Chief Executive

Jonathan Shaw appointed as new Headmaster of Ellesmere College

Elizabeth Newman appointed as Artistic Director of Sheffield Theatres

Queen Mary’s School Announces New Head for 2025

Canterbury Christ Church University appoints Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Provost

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Gouy Hamilton-Fisher, Director Colleagues & Support, Timpson Group

Canford School appoints Chris Wheeler as new Head

Jewish Museum London appoints Sally Angel as new Chief Executive

Foundling Museum announces new Chair

The White Horse Federation appoints CEO

Social Mobility Day 2024

Concern Worldwide (UK) appoints new Executive Director

Richard Greenhalgh succeeded by Christian Brodie as Chair of United Learning’s Group Board

Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew announces Susan Raikes as Director of Wakehurst

Standing Together: Saxton Bampfylde Celebrates Pride Month

We have moved! Our new London location

Managing Risk in Professional Services: It’s not just about protecting the firm, but enabling it – Interview with Alastair Levy

Crystal Palace Park Trust welcomes Victoria Pinnington as new CEO

Nadia Fall appointed as new Artistic Director of The Young Vic Theatre

How lawyers are coming to terms with their own ‘Now and Then’

Nicola Dudley announced as new Head of Queen Margaret’s School for Girls

Gordon Seabright appointed new Chief Executive of the Horniman Museum and Gardens

The General Pharmaceutical Council appoints new Chief Strategy Officer

A healthy perspective on executive search

Foot Anstey LLP appoints Non-Executive Director

South By Southwest comes to London

Saxton Bampfylde in action with charity Smart Works

Sue Ryder announces new Chief Executive

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Gabrielle Mathews

Liz Truss was correct. Well, on one fundamental point

General Dental Council announces new Chief Executive and Registrar

Andrew Comben appointed new CEO of Britten Pears Arts

Dr Nicholas Cullinan OBE appointed as new Director of the British Museum

Saxton Bampfylde partners with Family Business UK

Professor Robert Mokaya appointed Provost and DVC at University of Sheffield

30 years on from the first Code: A personal account of the Corporate Governance Revolution

Celebrating International Women’s Day 2024

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Emma Fox, CEO of Berry Bros & Rudd

Leadership in the age of AI: CEO Breakfast with Doug Gurr, Director of the National History Museum

Sustainability Dinner with speaker James Cameron, Chair of Crown Agents

What will healthcare look like over the coming decade? Interview with Nigel Edwards

Middlesex University announces its new Vice-Chancellor

SafeLives appoints new CEO

Do the right thing: ESG in 2024 – Interview with Lisa Hart Shepherd, CEO of Lamp House Strategy

A Healthy Perspective Podcast – Helen Buckingham, Nuffield Trust

New GPhC Council members appointed for 2024 and 2025

RICS senior governance appointments

An Independent Mind: Sharpening the role of a law firm NED

CLCH appoints new Director of Strategy, Partnerships and Integration

Into Film appoints Fiona Evans as new CEO

An evening for current and aspiring non-executives with Kenny Imafidon

V&A announces Director of Collections and Chief Curator

RNLI appoints new leader to take charity into third century of lifesaving

Erika Lewis appointed CEO at Connected Places Catapult

Alex Frazer Announced as the New Head of Bancroft’s

Sue Baillie appointed as Woldingham’s new Head

Royal Hospital School appoints new Head

The University of Manchester appoints Professor Duncan Ivison as next President & Vice-Chancellor

Championing the Mission – Interview with Jonathan Morgan

Quadrant Chambers appoints Sarah Longden as new COO

New Oasis Community Learning Chief Executive Announced

Rachel Kent made Financial Regulators Complaints Commissioner

Steering the family business forward: Interview with Paul Drechsler CBE

Indhu Rubasingham appointed as Director of the National Theatre

Northumbria University, Newcastle appoints new members to Board of Governors

Professor Tom Crick joins DCMS as Chief Scientific Adviser

Norwich Theatre appoints Tom Sleigh as new Chair

MOSL announces Cliff Kamara as new Board member

Saxton Bampfylde welcomes Partner Hannah Scarisbrick back to the firm

Saxton Bampfylde ranked in Financial Times UK’s Leading Recruiters 2024

The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award Foundation and Association Welcomes Martin Houghton-Brown as Secretary General

Royal British Legion Announces New Director General

English Heritage announces New Blue Plaques Panel Members

Paul Ridd named Director of Edinburgh International Film Festival

City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra announces Lord Tony Hall as new Chair

Team Consulting appoints new CEO

UK Civil Aviation Authority Appoints Rob Bishton as the new Chief Executive

The Box appoints Rebecca Bridgman as Head of Collections and Programme

English Heritage appoints Dr Nick Merriman as its new Chief Executive

Breadth and depth: leading across the regulatory landscape

Who’s Moving in Healthcare – August-September 2023

Wise counsel: bringing an external perspective to Higher Education

Looking through a different lens: a scientific scope from academia to government