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UCL Connect: Working in Fintech - What Does the Future Hold?
23 February 2023, 12:30 pm–1:30 pm
Want to start a fintech career? At this online panel event, hear from a panel of UCL alumni about how to break into the sector and stand out when applying for roles.
Event Information
Open to
- All
Availability
- Yes
Organiser
-
Alumni Relations Team
The Fintech Industry has grown exponentially in the last decade, most notably in London. From challenger banks to investment apps, there are now many companies which are seeking to improve and automate financial services using technology such as AI, machine learning and Blockchain. However, whilst Fintech has been an attractive industry for graduates during the 2010s, in recent months the sector has stalled, with many Fintech companies now suspending new hires or reducing their workforce.
At this online panel event, hear from a range of UCL alumni who will explain what exactly Fintech is, give you their top tips on how to break into the sector and how you can stand out when applying for Fintech roles during this period of uncertainty and change.
This event will take place on Thursday 23 February, 12:30-1:30pm (GMT).
About the Speakers
Dr Brian Healy (chair)
Industrial Professor at UCL Institute of Finance & Technology
Dr Brian Healy is an Industrial Professor at IFT. He has more than 25 years experience in financial markets as a trader and quantitative analyst and has acted as a consultant for clients in the hedge fund industry, structured finance, private equity, venture capital and asset backed finance. He is a founder and or C-level executive of a number of startups focusing on financial technology, artificial intelligence, anomaly detection and predictive modelling and acts as an advisor to a variety of tech incubators.
Sonal Lakhani
Global Head of Programmes & Strategic Initiatives at Barclays
Sonal (BSc(Econ) Economics & Geography 2007) has been responsible for designing, developing, and leading Global Fintech Innovation Programmes and Strategic Initiatives for Barclays Group Innovation. Based out of the Rise Lab in London and New York, her team support the development of the Barclays FinTech Ecosystem and identify strategic opportunities for co-investment, co-branding and co-creation. Some examples of the programmes in the portfolio she runs includes Female Innovators Lab Fund, Rise Start-up Academy and Barclays Fintech Venture Studio in partnership with Rainmaking.
Prior to working in Barclays Innovation, Sonal worked for Barclays Investment Bank in eFX Sales working with some of the largest Asset Managers, Hedge Funds and Banks across Europe and the UK. Before joining Barclays, Sonal worked in sales roles at a number of finance technology companies including; TradingScreen and Bloomberg, which triggered her desire for working in FinTech and Innovation. Sonal holds a BSc in Economics and Geography from UCL.
Christian Nentwich
Co-founder and CEO at Duco
Christian Nentwich (PhD Computer Science 2005) is co-founder and CEO of Duco. A lifelong technologist with a relentless passion for simplifying complex data using augmented machine learning and AI automation, he launched Duco to help people dealing with mission critical data on a daily basis. Christian is recognised for building companies with a strong focus on culture and transparency that deliver transformational experiences to customers. Prior to Duco, he founded Systemwire, which exited to Message Automation and further to Broadridge. He holds a BSc and PhD in Computer Science from UCL and is a winner of its Faculty Medal in Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
Christine Tsai
Product Manager at Monzo
Christine Tsai (BASc Societies 2015) is a London-based digital native who is passionate about solving problems and creating impact by building great products with meaningful design. She has 7 years of experience in FinTech, working on projects ranging from large-scale digital transformations to solving user needs through end-to-end product delivery.
Pierre Jeannel
Head of Product Marketing at Libeo
Pierre Jeannel (BA European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree 2018) , based in Paris, is the co-founder and CEO of TrackPay, a SaaS fintech helping SMBs with their accounts receivable collections. TrackPay was acquired by the European B2B payment specialist Libeo in June 2021. He is now working for Libeo as Head of Product Marketing. Pierre graduated in the BA dual degree of European Social and Political Studies from UCL and Sciences Po Paris.