Corporate to Code

Corporate to Code

The opening episode of the #TurnToTech special podcast series from FinTech’s DEI Discussions sets an inspiring tone for the journey ahead. Hosted by Nadia, this 12-part mini-series, created in collaboration with the City of London Corporation and the Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce, explores how women from a variety of backgrounds have made transformative career changes into the technology sector. Kicking off the series is Sheridan Ash, the Founder and Co-Chief Executive Officer of Tech She Can, whose story is one of resilience, reinvention, and relentless drive.

This episode is not just a compelling personal narrative. It serves as a vital blueprint for how we think about hiring, talent, and opportunity in the FinTech sector. At Harrington Starr, a leading FinTech recruitment business with global offices in London, Belfast and New York, we are committed to championing stories like Sheridan’s to drive inclusive hiring strategies and support the next wave of diverse talent entering technology and financial services.

Sheridan’s journey, from leaving school without qualifications to founding a charity that is on the verge of reaching one million children, is a remarkable testament to the potential that exists beyond conventional career pathways. It’s a story that will resonate with anyone considering a pivot into tech, and with every FinTech employer seeking to widen their talent pool with purpose-led recruitment.

From School Dropout to Global Modelling Career

Sheridan begins her story with a reflection on her early years in Wellingborough, a town she affectionately refers to as “Well-rough.” With undiagnosed dyslexia and a school system unequipped to support her learning needs, she left education at 16 with no qualifications. Her confidence was low, and she was labelled as unintelligent by her peers and teachers. However, a twist of fate changed everything when she was spotted by a modelling agent while out shopping with her mother in London.

This unexpected moment launched her into a global modelling career, taking her to Paris, New York, and Milan. Sheridan describes it as a whirlwind experience, a glamorous escape from the limitations of her upbringing. But despite the excitement, her modelling career was not sustainable in the long term. As a single mother, Sheridan had to rethink her future and seek a more stable and fulfilling path. This marked the first of many career pivots that would define her life.

Pursuing Education with Determination

Confronted with the realities of single parenthood, Sheridan made the bold decision to return to education. With newfound support for her dyslexia, she enrolled in a degree in psychological sciences, driven by a strong interest in women’s health and wellbeing. Although the academic journey was far from easy, filled with tears and self-doubt, she persevered and graduated successfully.

Her resilience during this period speaks to a core message in this podcast: you don’t need to have been the top of your class or come from a traditional academic background to succeed in tech. What matters more is determination, curiosity, and the ability to learn. These qualities would prove vital as she transitioned from academia to industry.

Sheridan began working in the pharmaceutical sector, often engaging with the NHS in a professional capacity. She enjoyed the work and quickly advanced through the ranks, but a sense of restlessness lingered. She craved more challenge, more innovation, and more impact.

The MBA That Changed Everything

Encouraged by a close friend, Sheridan considered applying for an MBA. The idea initially felt impossible. The trauma of struggling through her undergraduate degree was still fresh, and the imposter syndrome of returning to a rigorous academic environment was very real. However, she pushed through the doubt, applied to Imperial College Business School, and was accepted.

This was a pivotal moment. During her MBA, Sheridan was introduced to the worlds of entrepreneurship, strategy, and technology, concepts that had been previously inaccessible to her. She began working with professors on a book project focused on innovation and technology, titled Think, Play, Do. In this role, she interviewed senior tech executives from organisations such as IBM, Rolls-Royce, and Procter & Gamble.

This experience sparked a deep interest in technology and innovation. It was no longer a distant world reserved for coders or engineers; it was a space where big ideas, business acumen, and curiosity could converge. Sheridan realised she had found her calling, and her second major career pivot was set in motion.

Entering the World of Tech Without a Coding Background

After completing her MBA, Sheridan joined Accenture, one of the world’s leading professional services firms, with no formal background in technology or coding. For many, this would have been intimidating. But Sheridan approached it with openness and honesty. She admits she didn’t try to pretend she knew more than she did. Instead, she leaned into her vulnerability, asked for help, and embraced the immense training resources offered by the company.

Her story underscores a critical message for both job seekers and employers: you don’t need to code to enter the tech world. Today, there are countless roles in digital product design, UX, innovation, and operations that require a blend of creativity, analytical thinking, and interpersonal skills, areas where many women excel but often underestimate their strengths.

The Value of Transferable Skills in FinTech Careers

When asked by Nadia to expand on the skills that carried her through so many pivots, Sheridan lists collaboration, communication, empathy, critical thinking, and a willingness to learn. She refers to these as “critical skills,” and notes that they are often undervalued by both individuals and hiring managers when it comes to technology roles.

Importantly, Sheridan points out that many women already possess these skills through lived experience. Whether it’s managing a household, coordinating family responsibilities, or navigating multiple career transitions, these experiences develop qualities that are directly applicable to roles in tech and FinTech.

At Harrington Starr, we couldn’t agree more. As a FinTech recruitment agency that champions inclusive hiring practices, we consistently advise our clients to assess for potential and capability, not just technical credentials. In a sector increasingly influenced by automation and AI, human-centric skills are more vital than ever.

Driving Gender Equity in Tech Through Leadership

Sheridan’s achievements go far beyond her personal career. While at PwC, she spearheaded a Women in Tech initiative that successfully increased female representation in technology roles from 5–10% to nearly 40%. She attributes this success to a deliberate focus on systemic change and a commitment to making tech feel accessible to all.

However, Sheridan wasn’t content to stop at one company. She wanted to solve the root of the problem: why were so few girls entering the technology pipeline in the first place? To find the answer, she commissioned research titled Time to Close the Tech Gender Gap. The findings laid bare the cultural, educational, and societal barriers facing girls and young women. It wasn’t that they lacked the ability, it was that they lacked visibility, support, and belief that they belonged in tech.

Launching Tech She Can: A Mission-Driven Pivot

This research led to the creation of Tech She Can, a charity dedicated to inspiring and educating children, particularly girls, about careers in technology. What started as a corporate initiative within PwC soon grew into an independent organisation under Sheridan’s leadership. Nearly four years later, Tech She Can is on the verge of reaching one million children across the UK.

The charity provides accessible tech education in schools, offers practical resources for teachers, and ensures that the future of work is inclusive from the very beginning. For FinTech companies looking to build diverse talent pipelines, organisations like Tech She Can represent essential long-term partners. Cultivating future talent begins with early exposure, and Sheridan’s charity is doing exactly that.

Advice for Women Pivoting into FinTech

As the episode draws to a close, Nadia asks Sheridan what advice she would give to women contemplating a move into digital roles. Sheridan is clear: “Don’t be fearful.” She urges listeners to dismiss the outdated stereotypes that suggest tech is only for coders or men in hoodies. In reality, technology is an expansive field filled with opportunities that require empathy, creativity, strategic thinking, and communication, traits that many women bring in abundance.

She advises people to seek out role models, ask for help, and remember that most companies today offer extensive training and support. Whether it’s short online courses, formal certification, or on-the-job learning, there are countless pathways into FinTech and digital careers that don’t require prior tech experience.

Sheridan also highlights the role of AI in reshaping the future of work. As artificial intelligence takes over more repetitive or technical tasks, the need for human judgment, innovation, and ethical decision-making will only grow. This shift opens up even more space for individuals from diverse backgrounds to add value in the tech sector.

A Rallying Cry to the FinTech Industry

This episode is not just an inspiring origin story, it’s a challenge to the FinTech sector to rethink how we recruit, retain, and promote talent. As a recruitment business embedded in the world of financial technology, Harrington Starr believes that the future of FinTech depends on diverse voices, non-linear career paths, and a commitment to inclusive hiring.

Sheridan Ash’s journey, from a school leaver with no qualifications to a tech charity founder, demonstrates what is possible when we embrace potential over pedigree. She embodies the very ethos of the #TurnToTech series: that reinvention is always possible, and that the digital world is richer when it includes everyone.

If your business is looking to attract exceptional FinTech professionals, or if you are someone considering your next career move into the technology space, get in touch with Harrington Starr. Our global network and consultative approach help connect top talent with opportunity, regardless of where that talent started their journey.

Let’s Listen. Let’s Learn. Let’s Turn to Tech.

The first episode of #TurnToTech delivers more than just inspiration. It’s a call to action for employers, job seekers, and policy makers alike. By amplifying stories like Sheridan Ash’s, the series demonstrates that a more diverse and dynamic FinTech sector is not only possible, it’s already in the making.

Listen now to discover how one woman turned self-doubt into impact, and why your next hire, or your next career step, might be closer than you think.