Are We Brave Enough in FinTech?

In the latest episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia welcomes Rick Biggs, Sales Director at Moneyhub, for an inspiring and thought-provoking conversation. This episode shines a light on the realities of workplace inclusion, the progress made over the years, and the emotional toll of environments that fail to prioritise diversity, equity, and inclusion. Through Rick’s candid reflections on his personal and professional journey, listeners are offered valuable insights into actionable steps for creating inclusive workplaces—every day, not just on special occasions.

The conversation is a powerful reminder that true inclusion is more than a buzzword. It’s about building environments where everyone feels valued, heard, and celebrated for who they are. Rick’s honesty highlights the difference between surface-level initiatives and genuine cultural transformation—a topic that remains critical for businesses across the FinTech sector.

Building the FinTech of the Future

Rick Biggs opens the conversation with a look into Moneyhub’s mission and its pioneering role in financial technology. Describing Moneyhub as a “mature FinTech,” Rick explains how the business has evolved over its 11-year journey. The platform started as a financial wellness app designed to help individuals gain a holistic, real-time view of their financial lives. Using Open Banking and Open Finance, users can connect their savings, credit cards, pensions, and investments into one space to set goals and manage their financial well-being effectively.

This same groundbreaking technology is now leveraged for businesses. Financial institutions, lenders, and utility providers use Moneyhub to assess affordability, ensuring responsible lending and supporting consumer duty initiatives. By offering real-time insights into applicants’ finances, the platform helps businesses tailor solutions that suit customers’ real needs. Whether it’s suggesting more suitable loan products or helping businesses understand financial behaviours, Moneyhub is driving transformation in the FinTech sector.

As Rick notes, Moneyhub’s work exemplifies how FinTech can drive positive change—whether for individuals or enterprises—by democratising data and putting the consumer firmly at the centre of decision-making. It’s a clear example of how technology, when used effectively, can deliver tangible benefits to people, not just profits.

For recruitment businesses like Harrington Starr, this emphasis on innovation resonates deeply. The FinTech sector thrives when technology serves people first, fostering trust, empowerment, and opportunity—values that are at the heart of Harrington Starr’s approach to FinTech talent acquisition. As more companies adopt solutions like Moneyhub, the focus on financial well-being and customer-centric innovation continues to grow.

A Journey of Careers, Change, and Ownership

Rick’s professional story is one of resilience, change, and taking ownership of his career. He shares how his early life in Canada led him to the oil industry, only for economic volatility to change his trajectory. Following a year of travel in the UK—a move initially meant to be temporary—Rick established a new career path in IT training. This pivot set the stage for his move into data analytics and decision-making, where he held senior roles at industry leaders such as Experian, FICO, and Callcredit.

Reflecting on his journey, Rick highlights the importance of taking control of your destiny. His proactive approach to landing his current role at Moneyhub—bypassing hundreds of LinkedIn applicants to pitch himself directly—serves as a powerful reminder of how confidence, action, and determination can open doors. He describes how understanding your value, stepping outside the norm, and seizing opportunities can transform careers.

Rick’s experience also touches on the challenges professionals face in competitive industries. From shifting economic conditions to evolving technologies, adaptability is key. His story inspires professionals to embrace change, remain resilient, and take ownership of their future.

At Harrington Starr, where connecting top talent with opportunities is our expertise, Rick’s career trajectory underscores a key truth: success comes from recognising when to make a change and having the courage to pursue it. This mindset is central to our work in FinTech recruitment, helping candidates and clients align their goals to achieve success, in jobs such as Network Engineering, Product Management, Software Engineering, Cybersecurity. 

What has changed, and what still needs to improve in FinTech

A central theme of the conversation is Rick’s advocacy for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the workplace. Drawing on decades of experience, he provides a candid reflection on what has changed—and what still needs to improve.

Rick shares his own story of coming out in his mid-30s while working at Experian. At the time, fear and anxiety about being accepted loomed large. Yet his manager’s supportive response was life-changing, removing a weight that had held him back professionally and personally. Despite this positive experience, Rick highlights how subtle exclusion persisted: relationships like his were often treated as less significant than those of heterosexual colleagues. These moments, however small, create an emotional tax that can stifle authenticity, happiness, and performance in the workplace.

“The perfect answer would be you and I not having to have this conversation,” Rick tells Nadia. For him, the true goal of inclusion is a workplace where diversity is not a box to tick but a reality embedded in the organisation’s DNA—every day, not just during awareness months. Whether celebrating Pride, Black History Month, or disability inclusion, companies must commit to meaningful action that creates consistent, supportive environments where all employees can thrive.

This message resonates with Harrington Starr’s work in FinTech recruitment. As trusted advisors to the industry, we champion businesses that walk the talk—those who understand that diverse teams drive innovation, engagement, and long-term success. Harrington Starr have taken part in campaigns celebrating Pride, Black History Month and Disability Inclusion. 

The Emotional Toll in Financial Tech Workplaces

Throughout the episode, Rick emphasises the impact of environments where inclusion is lacking. For LGBTQ+ employees, for example, something as simple as referring to their partner can become a source of stress. “I don’t talk about ‘we,’ I talk about ‘me,’” Rick recalls, describing how the fear of judgment or exclusion can push people into hiding parts of their identity. This emotional tax is real, and it affects confidence, productivity, and well-being.

At Moneyhub, Rick has found an environment where inclusion is a priority. He praises the leadership team’s commitment to diversity, noting that it’s woven into the company’s culture rather than being treated as a standalone initiative. Proactive recruitment practices that prioritise diversity have proven successful, enabling Moneyhub to build a team that reflects the richness of the world around us.

As FinTech recruitment specialists, Harrington Starr sees first-hand how inclusive workplaces attract top talent and drive business performance. Creating such environments requires more than sentiment—it demands action. Leaders must ensure that inclusion is not just a policy but a lived reality, where every employee feels they can bring their whole selves to work.

As an employee in FinTech, where do I belong? 

For Rick, the key to meaningful inclusion is consistency. He shares practical advice for individuals and organisations alike: be authentic, speak up, and create spaces where people feel they belong. Rick’s approach to interviews exemplifies this mindset. Now, when presenting to prospective employers, he includes a photo of himself and his husband, making it clear who he is and what he values.

This authenticity, Rick explains, is not just for his benefit—it’s for those coming up behind him. By being visible, he hopes to show others that they too can be themselves at work without fear or compromise. For leaders, creating inclusive workplaces means 

The Next Generation in Financial Technology

Looking to the future, Rick expresses optimism about the next generation. He believes that younger professionals are driving cultural change, with attitudes that challenge outdated norms and prioritise inclusivity. As these individuals move into leadership roles, Rick is hopeful that diversity, equity, and inclusion will become inherent to company culture rather than something leaders have to consciously enforce.

This vision aligns with Harrington Starr’s mission as a FinTech recruitment business. We believe that the future of FinTech is diverse, inclusive, and driven by leaders who understand the value of representation. By connecting businesses with the talent they need to thrive, we play a role in shaping that future—one where everyone has the opportunity to succeed, regardless of their background.

Final Thoughts: Let’s Walk the Talk

This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions is a call to action for individuals and businesses alike. Rick’s story is a reminder that inclusion is not a box to tick or a banner to wave once a year—it’s an everyday commitment that requires consistency, authenticity, and courage. By fostering environments where everyone feels seen, heard, and valued, we create workplaces that drive innovation, happiness, and success.

At Harrington Starr, we champion businesses that prioritise inclusion because we know that diverse teams are the key to unlocking potential in the FinTech industry. Whether you’re a jobseeker looking for your next opportunity or a business striving to build a more inclusive team, we’re here to help you walk the talk.

This podcast episode directly relates to Harrington Starr's mission as a FinTech recruitment business by emphasising the critical role of inclusion, diversity, and authentic leadership in driving innovation and success within the FinTech industry. As Rick Biggs highlights throughout his conversation, inclusive workplaces attract top talent, foster creativity, and improve overall performance that align perfectly with Harrington Starr commitment to helping businesses build teams that reflect the richness and diversity of the world around us. By championing organisations that walk the talk on DEI, Harrington Starr not only connects talent with opportunity but also helps shape the future of FinTech as a sector that prioritises equity, representation, and sustainable growth.