Anne Boden is a pioneer in the digital banking revolution and the founder of Starling Bank, one of the UK’s leading challenger banks. Her journey from traditional banking to fintech innovation embodies the transformative spirit of the sector. Before launching Starling in 2014, she held senior roles at some of the world’s largest financial institutions including Lloyds Bank, Standard Chartered, UBS, and ABN AMRO. 

Anne was motivated to launch Starling Bank after observing the inefficiencies and outdated systems that plagued traditional banking. Starling emerged as a mobile-first bank focused on transparency, real-time data, and customer empowerment. Under her leadership, the bank became profitable, reached millions of customers, and launched innovative services for SMEs, personal banking, and embedded finance. 

In 2023, Boden stepped down as CEO, marking the end of a groundbreaking tenure but continuing her involvement as a board member. Her book ‘Banking On It’ details the challenges of launching a digital bank in a heavily regulated, male-dominated industry and has become an essential read for fintech entrepreneurs. 

Anne’s influence lies in demonstrating that it’s possible to build a bank from scratch with a vision for inclusion, speed, and tech-first service. As the first woman to found a UK bank, she’s an inspirational figure in fintech and beyond, often speaking at global forums and championing diversity and innovation in financial services.