In the season two finale of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura Lear speaks with Stuart Harrison, Founder and Director of FinTech West and Invest West, and one of the leading figures behind the South West's thriving fintech ecosystem. With a background in high-growth technology businesses and startup leadership, Stuart has spent the past decade helping to build one of the UK's most vibrant fintech communities. Through FinTech West, he brings together founders, investors, financial institutions, academics and industry leaders to tackle challenges, support innovation and drive positive change across the region. From Bristol's emergence as a fintech powerhouse to the opportunities and risks presented by AI, Stuart shares his perspective on the future of financial services, the importance of purpose-driven leadership and why collaboration remains one of the South West's greatest strengths. In this episode, Laura & Stuart explore: What fintech really means and why it's become an essential part of everyday life How Bristol and the South West have developed into one of the UK's leading fintech hubs The role of FinTech West in connecting people, solving problems and supporting innovation The challenges facing fintech founders, from accessing funding to scaling beyond start-up stage Why experienced advisers and non-executive directors can be critical to business growth How fintech is helping tackle issues such as financial inclusion and social mobility The opportunities and challenges AI presents for financial services and wider society What purpose-led leadership looks like in fintech and technology businesses To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website. Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & TikTok. Produced by AMBITIOUS
In the season two finale of the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast from AMBITIOUS, Laura Lear speaks with Stuart Harrison, Founder and Director of FinTech West and Invest West, and one of the leading figures behind the South West's thriving fintech ecosystem.
With a background in high-growth technology businesses and startup leadership, Stuart has spent the past decade helping to build one of the UK's most vibrant fintech communities. Through FinTech West, he brings together founders, investors, financial institutions, academics and industry leaders to tackle challenges, support innovation and drive positive change across the region.
From Bristol's emergence as a fintech powerhouse to the opportunities and risks presented by AI, Stuart shares his perspective on the future of financial services, the importance of purpose-driven leadership and why collaboration remains one of the South West's greatest strengths.
In this episode, Laura & Stuart explore:
What fintech really means and why it's become an essential part of everyday life
How Bristol and the South West have developed into one of the UK's leading fintech hubs
The role of FinTech West in connecting people, solving problems and supporting innovation
The challenges facing fintech founders, from accessing funding to scaling beyond start-up stage
Why experienced advisers and non-executive directors can be critical to business growth
How fintech is helping tackle issues such as financial inclusion and social mobility
The opportunities and challenges AI presents for financial services and wider society
What purpose-led leadership looks like in fintech and technology businesses
To find out more about AMBITIOUS and the Thoughtful Leadership Podcast, visit our website.
Follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram & TikTok.
Produced by AMBITIOUS