DEI PAY360 Special Episode

A Special Pay360 2025 Episode on Diversity, Inclusion, and Talent in Payments

In this special episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, recorded live at Pay360 2025, host Nadia Edwards-Dashti delves deep into the key challenges and opportunities facing the payments industry today. The episode brings together a powerful panel of thought leaders and experts from the FinTech and payments sectors, providing a rich mix of practical insights, forward-thinking ideas, and personal reflections on how businesses and individuals can drive meaningful change within their organisations and across the broader industry.

The panel features contributions from Darren Wood, Senior Solutions Consultant at ACI Worldwide; Emily Baum, Volunteer - Workstream Lead at Project Nemo; Angela Yore, CEO and Founder at SkyParlour; Raf De Kimpe, CEO of FinTech Week London; Daniel Saliba, Founder and CEO at Lighthouse Compliance; and Barry O'Sullivan, Director of Banking & Payments at OpenPayd. Together, these leaders share their thoughts on the current state of the payments ecosystem, the evolving challenges surrounding diversity and inclusion in FinTech, and the steps businesses and leaders must take to foster a more inclusive and innovative future.

The Current Landscape of Diversity and Inclusion in FinTech and Payments

The episode begins with Nadia exploring the state of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the payments and FinTech sectors. Nadia explains that over the course of the two-day Pay360 Payments Association event, she had the opportunity to ask several attendees about the biggest challenges they were facing in 2025, as well as what more needed to be done to ensure that DEI remained a central focus in the industry’s discussions.

Throughout the episode, the panellists reflect on how diversity impacts innovation, organisational culture, and overall business success. The consensus is clear: as the FinTech and payments industries continue to evolve, ensuring that diverse voices are heard and that businesses are creating inclusive environments is not just a social responsibility, but a business imperative. Companies that embrace diversity and create inclusive teams will have a competitive edge, with greater potential for innovation and success.

The panel discusses how FinTech can become more inclusive by addressing gaps in representation and offering equal opportunities to talent from diverse backgrounds. In doing so, they believe the sector can better serve a broader demographic, creating solutions that resonate with a wider range of customers and clients. The conversation reveals a collective commitment to not only talking about diversity but also taking action to make it a reality in every aspect of the industry.

The Key Challenges Facing the Payments Industry in 2025

One of the first issues tackled by the panel is the significant challenges currently facing the payments industry. Raf De Kimpe, CEO of FinTech Week London, recognises that there are a number of global challenges businesses must contend with, including economic uncertainties and political instability. Despite these challenges, Raf is optimistic, highlighting the growing role of artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming the industry. He stresses, however, that while AI offers tremendous opportunities, it also presents challenges when it comes to its responsible and pragmatic use in the payments space.

Emily Baum, who has over 13 years of experience in financial services and FinTech, offers a perspective on how the payments sector must continue to diversify. Emily calls for FinTech companies to pivot, moving beyond their traditional focus on payments and into other emerging sectors, such as EdTech, InsureTech, and RegTech. She believes that this diversification will help the industry expand its reach and impact, bringing innovation to new areas and broadening its opportunities.

Angela Yore, CEO and Founder of SkyParlour, a consulting firm specialising in FinTech, adds to the discussion by raising concerns about regulation. Angela argues that overly complex and restrictive regulations in the UK are hindering innovation within the payments sector. She points out that regulatory bodies need to streamline processes and find ways to encourage innovation while ensuring compliance. Angela believes that the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), which will soon be folded into the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), is taking steps in the right direction, with consultations expected in the summer to create a simpler, more effective regulatory framework.

Daniel Saliba, Founder and CEO of Lighthouse Compliance, expands on the regulatory challenges, noting that businesses in payments must stay ahead of the curve to remain compliant with evolving laws. He stresses the importance of compliance in maintaining trust with regulators and customers, especially as new technologies such as AI and blockchain continue to reshape the industry. For Daniel, ensuring that payments solutions are secure and fully compliant with both national and international regulations is crucial for the industry’s long-term sustainability.

Finally, Barry O'Sullivan, Director of Banking & Payments at OpenPayd, shares his perspective on the speed of change in the payments sector. Barry notes that with new payment methods and evolving consumer demands, businesses must be agile and capable of keeping up with rapid technological advancements. He also highlights the increasing threat of fraud, particularly with the rise of AI-driven fraud tactics. Barry stresses that businesses must adopt innovative fraud prevention measures and remain vigilant to protect customers from emerging threats.

Inclusion in Payments: Balancing Technology and Accessibility

The discussion moves towards inclusion in payments, with the panel agreeing that while technology has the potential to improve accessibility, it can also inadvertently exclude certain segments of the population. Raf De Kimpe addresses the role of digital payments in increasing accessibility, but he warns that without careful consideration, these innovations can exclude people who are not tech-savvy or do not have access to the latest devices. Raf stresses that companies must adopt a holistic approach when designing payment solutions, ensuring they consider all users and not just the most technologically advanced.

Emily Baum concurs with Raf’s concerns about accessibility, but she also sees an opportunity in AI-driven personalisation. Emily believes that AI can help improve accessibility, particularly for individuals with learning disabilities, by creating tailored payment experiences. She notes that AI will not only help these individuals navigate the payments process but also open the door to greater consumer adoption of digital payment solutions.

Darren Wood, Senior Solutions Consultant at ACI Worldwide, speaks about the rise of real-time payments and how this trend is reshaping the way transactions are processed. He discusses how real-time payment acceptance is critical for both merchants and consumers, and how it will be essential to integrate a wider range of payment methods to meet the needs of a diverse customer base. Darren also emphasises the role of AI in improving payment efficiency and reducing costs for merchants, helping to create a more seamless and inclusive experience for everyone involved in the transaction process.

Daniel Saliba adds to the conversation, pointing out that inclusion in payments is not just about representation within organisations, but also about developing payment solutions that are adaptable and accessible to all users. Daniel urges businesses to prioritise inclusivity when designing payment systems, ensuring that they meet the needs of a diverse user base. By doing so, companies can help ensure that no one is left behind in the digital payments revolution.

Angela Yore introduces the concept of intersectionality in inclusion, emphasising that gender, race, and class intersect to shape the experiences of individuals in the FinTech and payments sectors. Angela argues that businesses must consider these intersections when creating inclusive environments. She believes that understanding the unique challenges faced by individuals at these intersections will help companies build more inclusive teams and create products that reflect the diversity of the communities they serve. By embracing intersectionality, businesses can better understand the lived experiences of their employees and customers, leading to stronger, more effective solutions.

Attracting and Retaining Top Talent in FinTech, Payments, and Financial Services

The conversation turns to the crucial issue of attracting and retaining top talent in the FinTech, payments, and financial services industries. The panelists agree that businesses must go beyond offering attractive salaries and benefits. To succeed in today’s competitive market, companies must also create environments that foster career development, professional growth, and work-life balance.

Raf De Kimpe argues that the younger generation of talent has different priorities compared to previous generations. He notes that today’s job seekers are looking for more than just high pay; they want companies that align with their personal values and offer clear career progression. Raf encourages businesses to recognise this shift and to focus on creating workplaces that cater to the needs and desires of this new generation of talent.

Darren Wood agrees, emphasising the importance of company branding in attracting top talent. Darren suggests that a strong, authentic brand can be a major factor in convincing potential employees to join a company. He stresses that employees should feel passionate about the solutions they are working on, and that the company’s values should resonate with their own. He also highlights the need for businesses to invest in their existing talent, offering ongoing training, development, and opportunities to grow within the organisation.

Barry O'Sullivan shares his perspective on recruitment, noting that today’s candidates are researching companies long before they step into an interview. Barry highlights the importance of building a strong employer brand and creating a company culture that attracts the right talent. He believes that the interview process is a two-way street, with candidates evaluating the company just as much as the company is evaluating the candidates.

Daniel Saliba adds to the conversation by emphasising the importance of creating inclusive cultures to attract and retain top talent. He explains that employees are increasingly looking for workplaces that prioritise diversity and inclusion. Daniel argues that companies that foster inclusive cultures are more likely to attract motivated, talented individuals who are committed to making a difference.

Angela Yore concludes the discussion by stressing the importance of a thorough and intentional recruitment process. She advises businesses to work with trusted recruitment partners, such as Harrington Starr, to ensure that they are bringing in the right talent. Angela highlights the need for companies to focus on cultural fit, as well as technical skills, when hiring new employees. She believes that a strong recruitment process is key to building diverse and successful teams.

Conclusion: Collaboration and Diversity are Essential for the Future of Payments

As the discussion draws to a close, Nadia reflects on the key takeaways from the conversation. The panelists agree that collaboration and diversity of thought will be essential for the continued growth and success of the payments industry. They acknowledge that while challenges remain, the future is bright for companies that are committed to fostering inclusive cultures, developing innovative solutions, and creating diverse teams.

In conclusion, this episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions underscores the importance of diversity and inclusion in shaping the future of payments. By embracing these principles, businesses can not only attract and retain top talent but also develop products and services that are more inclusive, innovative, and impactful. The insights shared by the panelists offer valuable guidance for FinTech companies looking to improve their DEI strategies and create lasting change in the payments industry.

Harrington Starr is a leading FinTech recruitment company, specialising in connecting top talent with cutting-edge financial technology businesses. With a deep understanding of the FinTech ecosystem, Harrington Starr focuses on providing tailored recruitment solutions for clients ranging from start-ups to global enterprises. Their expertise spans a wide range of FinTech sectors, including payments, blockchain, AI, and banking technology. With a commitment to excellence and a strong network of professionals, Harrington Starr helps businesses navigate the evolving talent landscape, ensuring they secure the skills necessary to drive innovation and growth. As trusted advisors, they are dedicated to supporting both clients and candidates in achieving long-term success in the dynamic FinTech industry.