FinTech Scotland

How do we design a tech driven, fairer financial future for everyone? In this podcast, we speak with Gillian Docherty, Chief Commercial Officer at the University of Strathclyde and one of the UK’s leading minds in technology and computer science, and a collaborator on the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab’s AGBR Innovation Call; and Clare Reid, Strategic Innovation Director at FinTech Scotland.We explore how to create a financial services sector that is future ready, responsible and built on collaboration and that ultimately serves everyday people, including those who are most vulnerable. With technology, AI and quantum technologies advancing at a rapid pace, we ask: what will it take to deliver real transformation for people, not just industries?Throughout the episode, we paint a picture of the future world we will all be living and working in, bringing valuable insights for industry, policymakers and academia.

In this episode we explore the transformative potential of Agentic AI in the financial services industry. We explore how this emerging technology is enhancing personalisation, optimising operational processes, and redefining financial inclusion. We look into areas such as customer support with conversational AI as well as the transformation of risk modelling and compliance.We discuss whether Agentic AI is paving the way for a smarter, more connected financial ecosystem.Guests: Alexandra Birch - Reader at the Universityof EdinburgDerek Shanks – Technology Platform Lead atLloyds Banking GroupJoseph Twigg – Founder and CEO at AveniRich Wilson – Founder and CEO at Goiiged.ai

A conversation live from Money20/20 2025 in Amsterdam with 4 fintech businesses, part of a Scottish delegation that saw 10 fintechs exhibiting at Europe's largest fintech conference led by Scottish Development International and FinTech Scotland.Dan from CreditNature, David from BigSpark, Jamie from Aveni and Michael from Transwap offer their views on the conversations they've had, the speakers they've listened to and reflect on the impact that Money20/20 can have for their business.

Set to reshape how financial entities across Europe and beyond approach digital resilience, DORA is more than just another compliance requirement, it’s a game-changer for fintechs, financial institutions, and third-party service providers. What does this mean for UK fintechs, particularly in a post Brexit landscape? How can firms prepare, adapt, and turn compliance into a competitive advantage?In this podcast we break down everything UK fintechs need to know about DORA, from key requirements to practical implementation strategies. Participant-Rob Mossop – Chief Digital Officer (CDO) at Sword Group-Luke Scanlon - Head of Fintech Propositions, Legal Director, Pinsent Masons-Mick O’Connor – Founder and CEO at Haelo

The global shift towards digital payments is accelerating, with cash usage declining year after year. From contactless transactions to mobile wallets and cryptocurrency, digital payments are reshaping the financial landscape. Are businesses and consumers fully prepared for a digital-only economy? What are the risks of excluding those who rely on cash? With 1.2 million people in the UK still reliant on cash, concerns around financial inclusion, cybersecurity, anddigital resilience remain.In this episode, we examine the implications of a cashless future, hear expert insights on the opportunities and challenges, and discuss whether the world is truly ready toleave physical money behind.Guests: Craig Forsythe – CEO and Founder at GiftroundChris Elsden - Chancellor's Fellow in Service Design at Institute for Design Informatics & Edinburgh Futures InstituteNeil Collman - Design Director at Nile

The payments landscape is going through major transformation. PSD2 has been disruptive and with the anticipated arrival of PSD3 a lot of questions are still to be answered. What does PSD3 mean for fintech businesses, banks, merchants, and consumers?In this episode, we explore the upcoming regulatory shifts, the opportunities and challenges they present, and what the future of payments might look like beyond PSD3. Will this be an evolution or a revolution?How will Open Banking, embedded finance, and digital walletsbe impacted? And is regulation moving too fast, or not fast enough?With Ann Zheng, Associate at Pinsent Masons

In this episode, we explore the complex challenges and opportunities that organisations face in delivering greater transparency, fairness, and accountability. As the industry evolves, both fintechs and established financial institutions must navigate these demands to not only meet regulatory requirements but also to exceed them through innovation, ethical practices, and customer-centric strategies. With Sajedah Karim - Partner at PwC. Sajedah Joseph Twigg - CEO at Scottish fintech Aveni John Finch – Professor of Marketing (B2B) at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School, and Associate Dean (East Asia) at the University of Glasgow's College of Social Sciences.

Join us for the second episode of the FinTech Scotland Podcast’s special series on financial crime, produced in collaboration with our strategic partner BT. This episode looks into the growing and sophisticated threat of messaging fraud, a pressing issue in the financial sector. Charlotte Moir from BT is joined by Kevin Britt, Product Manager for Messaging at BT, and Paul Maskall, Strategic Fraud Prevention and Behavioural Lead Principal at UK Finance. Together, they unpack why messaging fraud is surging, explore why individuals and businesses continue to fall victim despite increased awareness, and reveal innovative measures being developed to stay ahead of the fraudsters. We also speak about the exciting work happening in FinTech Scotland’s Financial Regulation Innovation Lab in Glasgow. With major financial institutions like Morgan Stanley, HSBC, and Virgin Money setting challenges, fintechs and tech innovators from around the globe are stepping up to collaborate and tackle financial crime.

In this episode we’re diving into the Consumer Duty Regulation and the opportunities that outcomes-based regulation opens for innovative solutions that can enable financial services to maximise positive outcomes for all customers and in turn create economic and social growth. The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab has launched its third innovation challenge focusing on that topic with 14 financial services partners ranging from banks, building societies and credit unions. NatWest have been a keen supporter of this challenge seeing to harness the brightest ideas in fintech and to bring industry together on this key topic. Today, we'll explore what this means for financial services organisations, for the millions of people across the country who are customers of Financial Services firms and how innovation and ambitious fintechs are already making a difference. With: Will Kerr, Head of Customer Outcomes Samantha Brand Customer Lead Innovation & Partnerships

This is the inaugural episode of a special FinTech Scotland Podcast Series, co-hosted with with Charlotte Moir fromBT. This episode highlights the launch of the new FinCrime Innovation Programme, tackling the pressing issue of fraud and financial crime. We’ll unpack the impact of fraud in 2023, with £460 million lost to APP fraud in the UK, and discuss the implications of the new PSR mandatory reimbursement scheme introduced in October 2023. This landmark change enforces stricter rules within Faster Payments, ensures a shared responsibility between payment firms, and provides enhanced protections for customers, especially the vulnerable. Our guests bring diverse insights into the fight against fraud: • Lauren Cassells, Research & Programme Innovation Manager at FinTech Scotland, discusses the collaborative efforts of the FRIL initiative and its industry-wide engagement. • Brian Webb, Chief Security Officer for Consumer at BT, shares BT’s strategies in combating fraud and fostering innovative partnerships. • Paddy O’Keefe, Economic Crime Public & Private Partners Manager at Virgin Money, explores Virgin Money’s initiatives to ensure comprehensive fraud reporting and prevention.