Ep. 46 Revolut on the Grid: the making of an F1 partnership

If AI can write product requirements and analyse data, where does that leave Product Owners?Paulo Pereira, Global Head of Product, explains how Product Owners at Revolut are given full scope of the features they’re building. Acting like mini CEOs, it’s a tough job for AI to replace.In this special episode filmed in front of a live studio audience at Revolut’s HQ in London, host Alex Carril and Paulo discuss:The difference between being a Product Owner at Revolut and a product manager at a typical tech companyPaulo’s career-leaping journey from Operations Manager to Global Head of ProductAn element to avoid that slows down product developmentThe opportunity at Revolut for someone who might be joining nowWhat the first 90 days would look like for a new Product OwnerWhy CEO and co-founder Nik reviews every UI before going livePaulo’s prediction of how AI will impact product roles over the next few yearsHow a product professional can shake things up if they feel stagnant in their current roleUsing the ‘fake wall’ metaphor to overcome complex problemsPaulo answers questions from the audience, including how to empower founders to innovate, and balancing quality with speed to marketFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open Product careers at Revolut: revolut.la/4wEu46V

Nacho González, Head of F1 Activation at Revolut, shares the thinking and ambition behind partnering with Audi to create the Audi Revolut F1 Team.He talks about managing a global collaboration at this scale and how Revolut is showing up in sports to meet customers beyond the app.In this episode, host Alex Carril and Nacho discuss:What goes into building a Formula One activation at a global scaleHow Revolut’s partnership strategy became more ambitious to match the company’s growthThe reality of managing world-class sports partnerships day to dayWhy F1 became the right platform to connect with customers beyond the app, and what made Revolut ready for that stageNacho’s growth since joining Revolut in 2022, and the lessons that came with it3 key factors behind choosing Audi as our F1 partnerHow this collaboration creates value for customersWhat it was like seeing these activations come to life during the team’s first race weekend in MelbourneWhere to go from here when it comes to partnerships, and the importance of being present in sportsHow a winning mindset shows up on and off the trackFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/4agDTPH

How do you measure high performance?In a company like Revolut, where high performance is the standard and ambition follows, Alara Erisen shares how performance is broken down into metrics, skills alignment, and culture fit.As an Operating Principal in the CEO’s Office, Alara’s top goal is figuring out how to hire top talent — whether that’s experienced professionals or interns and grads looking to launch their careers.In this episode, Alex and Alara discuss: Her data-backed role within the CEO’s Office on how to hire brilliant peopleHow company goals trickle down to individual metricsRevolut’s quarterly performance review cycle, including how values are assessedWhy self-reviews are important, and tips to complete itWhat applying the “never compromise on talent” approach looks like in practiceGrit and bias to action — two skills necessary to succeed at RevolutAdaptability versus expertise and Revolut’s Talent ProgrammesCreating a launchpad so interns and grads can excel early in their careersTips on how to apply your skills and adapt to Revolut’s way of workingAdvice for interns and grads on how to stand out for the right reasonsFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/4teEmtc

With its global headquarters established in London, and a UK banking licence in place, Revolut is entering a new chapter.UK CEO Francesca Carlesi talks about what this shift means for customers and how these milestones connect to bigger decisions about growth and leadership going forward.In this episode, host Alex Carril and Francesca discuss:Revolut’s global headquarters and the message the company signals about remote workWhy London was chosen as Revolut’s home base and how it strengthens the company’s presence in the UKWhat operating as a fully licensed bank in the UK means for local customers and Revolut globallyHow the “Banking & Beyond” strategy translates into more customer-centric featuresThe case for Revolut as a primary bank and what was holding it back beforeComparing Revolut to legacy financial institutions and the differences that matterThe importance of building and maintaining trust in financial servicesWhat new features customers in the UK can expect to see in the futureFrancesca’s thoughts on leading a fast-growing teamHer path into financial services, from founding her own startup to becoming Revolut’s UK CEOFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/3PsYaKl

Brand decisions affect how people feel, long before they open an app or tap a card.Our Head of Global Brand, Gareth Morgan, explains what it takes to build a brand that feels confident and distinctive.He breaks down the thinking behind Revolut’s shift towards a more premium identity, how creative choices influence a brand’s trust and perception, and how to lead with bold decisions without losing focus.In this episode, Alex and Gareth discuss:What “brand” means in practice, and how it shows up beyond visualsRevolut’s 2023 rebrand and the shift toward a more premium evolutionHow the emotional experience of a brand shapes trust and loyaltyStanding out in a crowded market while maintaining your identity Why Revolut is selective about brand collaborationsLeading a team to think outside the boxWhat goes into delivering bold, unexpected design workGareth’s view on whether AI limits creativityGetting an idea over the finish line and how to not take feedback personallyWhat’s next for Revolut as a global brandFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities on Revolut's Brand team: revolut.la/4qezv9d

Launching a global financial platform in Japan comes with its own set of rules.Yoko Makiguchi, Revolut’s CEO in Japan, shares the challenges of adapting Revolut to a local customer base and the big opportunities that lie ahead.After 30 years in finance, she talks openly about joining as the country’s CEO and what it takes to scale a fast-growing team in a demanding labour market.In this episode, host Alex Carril and Yoko discuss:Why joining Revolut was Yoko’s best career decision after 30 years in the industryGrowing a team by 10x in Japan that represents 20+ nationalitiesHow the team’s diversity shapes how they workThe difficulties that go into hiring in a challenging labour market like JapanBalancing career aspirations and family life, and how it’s changed over the yearsLaunching Revolut in Japan in 2020 with only 5 RevolutersThe two main opportunities for Revolut’s next phase in JapanHow to adapt a global platform to break into a local, unique marketStandout experiences that have shaped Yoko’s leadership strategy as a CEO3 pieces of advice Yoko would give to other teammates as she reflects on her careerFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/48UUhUA

As a Business Development Manager, Patricia knows what it takes to apply a never-settle mindset and turn complex challenges into results.From BLIK in Poland to Multibanco in Portugal, she's been an advocate for customers by negotiating with partners and pushing for features that make a difference in local markets.Hear how she moves past a “no” in high-stakes deals and why Multibanco is such a personal milestone for her.In this season 3 premiere, host Alex Carril and Patricia discuss:What it means to be on the Alternative Payment Methods team, why it matters for customers, and the team’s mission of finding new ways to use RevolutHow Patricia’s consulting background laid the foundation for success in fintechWhat it's like to face complex problems new to Revolut and the industry, and still deliver resultsBreaking down BLIK and what it took to bring the feature to customers in PolandWhy partner institutions are willing to challenge the status quo and collaborate with RevolutThe case for local payment methods, like BLIK and Multibanco, even when Revolut already offers person-to-person transfersHow Patricia gave customers in Poland easier access to public transport by enabling in-app ticket purchasesThe personal motivation behind bringing Multibanco to customers in PortugalCreating high-stakes partnerships, getting past a “no,” and applying those lessons outside of workAvoiding burnout without losing the drive that comes with a never-settle mindsetFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/49sbpTz

How do you build something that lasts a decade and still feel like it’s just getting started?Tom Hambrett, Partner and General Counsel, reflects on 10 years of Revolut. From bold decisions in the early days to raising billions in capital, he looks back at the strategy and momentum that’s helped us endure — and what it takes to keep going.In our season 2 finale, host Alex Carril sits down with Tom to discuss:- The early days of Revolut and what we were doing right- Co-founders Nik and Vlad’s focus on long-term vision- How Tom first discovered Revolut while hiking in the Guatemalan jungle- What we might’ve done differently, in hindsight- The legal and strategic decisions Tom took that helped shape our trajectory- How the company’s culture has evolved over the years- Raising billions in capital [in the beginning] and the fintech arms race- What sets Revolut apart from other players in the market- The biggest responsibility we carry as we continue moving forward- What Tom hopes we’ll be talking about 10 years from nowFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/3IQWCXo

What goes into creating moments that leave a lasting impression?From engineering to consultancy, and now leading partnerships for the Growth team at Revolut, Deborah Wajsbrot shares her experience and how she’s been driving impact.She also provides an exclusive look into Revolut’s approach to partnerships and how to measure a successful collaboration. In this episode, Alex and Deborah discuss:- Her role on the Growth team that overlaps with Business Development- Revolut’s approach to creating partnerships- What Deborah loves about striving to create impact while testing and learning- From the NBA to multiple airports in Europe, what goes into selecting the right partners- How to measure success after forming partnerships- The importance of adapting a global perspective to a local level- Challenges when negotiating deals for high-stakes collaborations- Why Revolut has leaned into sports and entertainment activations- How partnerships will uplift the Revolut brand to reach the next goal of 100 million global customers- Deborah’s biggest learnings and career advice for those looking to join a similar fieldFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: revolut.la/44Y72vN

What does it take to design financial features that make sense to people, especially when millions rely on them every day?Lead Product Designers Margarida Botelho and Lorenzo Mengolini talk about the process, collaboration, and creative decisions behind building for scale in a fast-moving, design-led fintech environment.In this episode, Lorenzo and Margarida discuss with host Alex Carril:- What being a Product Designer at Revolut looks like in practice- How Margarida and Lorenzo found their way into this field- The design philosophy at Revolut that shapes product development- Big wins and standout projects they've led- A walk-through of a typical design process- What makes collaboration at Revolut different from other companies- The number one question to ask before starting any new design project- Designing with the impact on millions of customers in mind- Common misconceptions about product designers in fintech- What new trends they’re excited about and advice to future designersFollow Revolut Insider on Instagram: ⁠https://⁠⁠⁠revolut.la/RevolutInsider⁠⁠View open career opportunities at Revolut: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://revolut.la/44z8EMd