Technology and Finance

Olugbenga Agboola Founder and CEO of Flutterwave Olugbenga “GB” Agboola is the Nigerian-born founder and CEO of Flutterwave, Africa’s homegrown payments unicorn. Since launching in 2016, Flutterwave has processed billions in cross-border and local payments, expanded into over 30 African countries, and achieved a multibillion-dollar valuation.  The company’s Send app is now live in almost every U.S. state, expanding its global footprint. Flutterwave’s prominence earned it inclusion in TIME’s Most Influential Companies list in 2025, showcasing its global impact and leadership in digital commerce infrastructure. Agboola’s recognition includes national awards and influence within the diaspora and global fintech ecosystem. His educational background includes studies at the University of Westminster and MIT Sloan, blending technical prowess with strategic foresight. Beyond Flutterwave, Agboola serves on global advisory boards including the U.S.–Africa Business Center and the Wall Street Journal CEO Council.  Agboola’s vision is rooted in building scalable infrastructure to empower Africa’s SMEs and global remittance flows. His leadership combines market intuition, platform building, and a clear emphasis on inclusion, placing him at the forefront of global fintech innovation and regional impact.

Brett King Fintech Futurist, Author, and Entrepreneur Brett King is a globally recognised fintech futurist, author, and entrepreneur. As co-founder of mobile banking pioneer Moven, he helped seed the mobile and neobanking revolution. King’s influence extends far beyond a single startup; he hosts the top fintech radio show and podcast, Breaking Banks, with tens of millions of listeners in over 180 countries, and regularly advises governments and regulators on fintech strategy.  In 2025, Brett King joined the Global Advisory Board for WebAccountPlus AI Innovation Ltd., teaming up with industry legends to chart next-generation financial infrastructure beyond Open Banking. He frequently shares insights on Banking 5.0 and how AI is reshaping finance—themes he also explores in global conferences and in his writing.  King remains a prolific contributor to industry media and a keynote speaker at major fintech summits. His work bridges future vision, policy influence, and technological innovation. He has authored several best-selling books including Bank 4.0 and The Rise of Technosocialism, offering deep insight into the social and technological transformations reshaping finance.  Brett King’s legacy is rooted not just in predictions, but in actively shaping the direction of fintech. His ability to synthesize macro-trends and communicate their implications for financial institutions makes him one of the most impactful voices in the industry today.

Anne Boden Founder of Starling Bank 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.

Ron Shevlin Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors Ron Shevlin is one of the most respected voices in banking and fintech, known for his sharp insights, strategic commentary, and in-depth research. He is the Chief Research Officer at Cornerstone Advisors and a Senior Contributor to Forbes, where he writes the popular column ‘Fintech Snark Tank.’  With decades of experience advising banks and credit unions on digital strategy and innovation, Shevlin has developed a reputation for challenging hype and promoting practical approaches to fintech. His work spans topics like embedded finance, banking-as-a-service, neobank economics, and customer engagement strategies.  He is a regular keynote speaker at major financial services conferences and is considered a must-follow thought leader on social media. Ron is also the author of ‘Smarter Bank,’ a book that lays out the principles of customer-centric digital transformation in banking. He is known for blending wit with data-driven insights, helping executives and fintech founders navigate an increasingly complex financial landscape.  Shevlin’s impact on the industry lies not in building startups but in shaping the strategic thinking of those who do. His influence spans traditional banks, emerging fintechs, investors, and regulators, all of whom look to his analysis for clarity, critique, and direction. In a noisy space, Shevlin remains one of the clearest and most trusted voices

Efi Pylarinou Fintech & Blockchain Advisor Efi Pylarinou is a globally recognized fintech and blockchain advisor, with a unique background that blends Wall Street finance, academia, and digital innovation. Based in Switzerland, she is one of the most active independent voices in fintech commentary, regularly publishing articles, whitepapers, and multimedia content on digital finance, AI, and decentralized technologies.  Efi began her career in investment banking and quantitative finance before pivoting toward fintech. She has since become a leading analyst on wealthtech, regtech, and blockchain applications in finance. Her blog and YouTube channel feature regular deep dives into market trends, startup analysis, and emerging technologies, earning her a wide audience among practitioners, investors, and regulators.  As a keynote speaker and advisory board member, Efi is involved in shaping digital finance policies and strategies at both corporate and governmental levels. Her contributions extend beyond analysis, she actively mentors fintech startups and promotes ethical and inclusive technology development.  Pylarinou’s influence is particularly felt in Europe and the Middle East, where her work bridges the gap between technology and institutional finance. Her multidisciplinary perspective makes her an essential voice in a rapidly evolving ecosystem, helping stakeholders understand both the

DAVID BREAR THE CO-FOUNDER AND CEO OF 11:FS David Brear is the co-founder and CEO of 11:FS, a digital consultancy that has helped define the modern fintech playbook. With a background that includes digital leadership roles at Lloyds Bank, Aviva, and Gartner, Brear has positioned himself at the center of financial innovation in the UK and globally.  At 11:FS, Brear leads a team that builds challenger bank platforms, consults for financial institutions, and produces widely followed fintech content. Their podcast ‘Fintech Insider’ is one of the most popular in the industry, featuring interviews with top leaders and analysis of breaking trends. Brear is known for his straight-talking style, often challenging the status quo in banking and advocating for customer-centric, agile technology solutions.  His belief that ‘digital banking is only 1% finished’ has become a mantra among fintech professionals. He frequently speaks at international events, appears in media commentary, and mentors emerging fintech founders. Under his leadership, 11:FS has worked with major players including NatWest, Standard Chartered, and numerous startups. David’s influence stems from his ability to combine strategic vision with practical implementation, helping clients transform bold ideas into operational succes

THEODORA LAU   FOUNDER OF UNCONVENTIONAL VENTURES Theodora Lau is the founder of Unconventional Ventures, a firm dedicated to supporting innovation that benefits traditionally underserved populations in finance. A passionate advocate for diversity, ethics, and inclusion in fintech, Lau has become a respected voice at the intersection of technology, policy, and social impact.  Her writing regularly appears in top industry publications, and she co-authors ‘The Financial Revolutionist’ as well as her own newsletter ‘Fintech Prose.’ Lau is also the co-host of the podcast ‘One Vision,’ where she interviews innovators across fintech, healthtech, and digital transformation.  With a background in technology and strategic development, Lau speaks frequently at global conferences and advises startups and corporates alike on building more inclusive and human-centered products. She is deeply involved in initiatives promoting financial health, ethical AI, and equitable access to services.  Lau’s influence in fintech is unique: while she does not build or fund companies directly, she shapes the culture and conversation of the industry. Her commitment to purpose-driven innovation has helped shift the focus of fintech from growth-at-all-costs to sustainable, inclusive progress. As the industry matures, voices like hers are more critical than ever.

Leda Glyptis Chief Client Officer at 10x Banking Leda Glyptis is a fintech executive, author, and advocate for transformation within the banking industry. As Chief Client Officer at 10x Banking and former CEO of Foundry, a fintech subsidiary of 11:FS, Glyptis has been at the vanguard of digital innovation inside financial institutions. She is best known for her thought leadership on the cultural and systemic challenges of fintech adoption, particularly through her book ‘Bankers Like Us.’ Her writing, frequently published in outlets such as Fintech Futures, combines humor, critical insight, and personal experience, offering a rare inside look at the push and pull between old and new in finance.  Glyptis is a popular keynote speaker and is widely respected for her ability to communicate complex challenges in a relatable, narrative style. She frequently calls out tokenism and superficial innovation, instead promoting structural change and authentic engagement with new technology.  Her influence is particularly strong among banking professionals who are seeking to lead or manage change within legacy institutions. Leda Glyptis continues to be a critical voice in fintech, not just pointing toward innovation, but showing the path to get there.

CHRIS SKINNER AUTHOR, SPEAKER & COMMENTATOR Chris Skinner is a renowned author, speaker, and commentator on the future of financial services. He is best known for his influential blog, ‘The Finanser,’ and for books such as ‘Digital Bank’ and ‘Doing Digital,’ which have become essential reading for executives navigating digital transformation. Skinner’s influence spans decades, and he has advised banks like BBVA, ING, and JPMorgan Chase on how to evolve their strategies for the digital age.  He is widely considered one of the most respected independent voices in fintech, often cited for his deep insights into the structural and societal impacts of technological innovation. In 2025, Skinner joined the advisory board of WebAccountPlus AI Innovation Ltd., collaborating with other fintech thought leaders to reimagine post-Open Banking infrastructure. His continued focus on the convergence of finance, society, and technology places him at the forefront of long-term fintech thinking.  Skinner’s role is not to build products or invest in startups, but to articulate the direction of change. Through writing, keynotes, and advisory engagements, he has helped shape how banks and regulators understand and respond to innovation. His work remains essential to anyone seeking to understand the past, present, and future of financial technology.

Jason Mikula Independent Fintech Analyst & Publisher J ason Mikula is an independent fintech analyst, consultant, and publisher of the highly regarded newsletter ‘Fintech Business Weekly.’ With experience spanning traditional financial institutions and fintech startups, Mikula offers a rare insider-outsider view of the sector. He began his career at Goldman Sachs before transitioning into growth and product roles at firms like Enova and LendUp.  Today, he serves as an advisor to early-stage fintechs and provides consulting services on go-to-market, compliance, and product development. His newsletter and podcast have become must-reads for fintech professionals seeking analysis beyond the headlines.  Mikula is especially respected for his detailed coverage of consumer lending, regulation, neobanks, and crypto-fintech intersections. His research has been cited by major media outlets and is frequently shared by policymakers, founders, and investors. Mikula’s impact lies in his ability to synthesize complex industry developments into accessible, critical commentary.  As a trusted analyst with hands-on experience, he bridges the gap between the boardroom and the policy table, helping the fintech ecosystem understand itself more clearly and navigate regulatory risk with insight.