The Power of Allyship
14 October, 2025
A Story of Reinvention, Resilience, and Leadership in FinTech
Recorded live at EWPN 2025 in Amsterdam, this special episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions saw Nadia, Chief Customer Officer at Harrington Starr, sit down with Barbara Logoteta, Head of Compliance UK at Banking Circle. In front of an engaged audience, Barbara shared her remarkable story, one that moves from the world of science to compliance, from uncertainty to purpose, and from being the only woman in the room to leading with empathy and strength.
This fireside chat captured the heart of FinTech’s DEI Discussions: authentic voices sharing real experiences that shape more inclusive and empowered workplaces. For those building careers in FinTech, or supporting others to do so, Barbara’s story is a powerful reminder that courage, curiosity, and belief in oneself can completely transform a career trajectory.
From Plant Biochemistry to Compliance in FinTech
Barbara’s career began in an entirely different environment. Before stepping into FinTech, she studied science and earned a PhD in plant biochemistry and electrophysiology. It was a world of research, academia, and laboratory work, far removed from the pace and regulation of financial services.
However, when her husband received a job offer abroad, Barbara made the decision to leave her academic position and move with her young family. She had a six-month-old baby at the time and relocated from Italy to Spain, expecting to focus on supporting her husband and settling into their new life.
But that plan didn’t last long. The stillness of staying at home didn’t suit her, and she soon began looking for work. Opportunities in her field were non-existent, and the local economy was dominated by the gambling industry. With no experience in that sector and facing scepticism from family and friends, Barbara accepted a customer service role in gambling, a decision that, although modest at the time, would change the direction of her entire career.
Her mother refused to speak to her for a month, unable to understand how a PhD graduate could take a night-shift job. Her husband was equally hesitant, worried about the long hours and demands of the role. Yet Barbara trusted her instinct that this step, however unconventional, would lead somewhere meaningful.
That early decision taught her a lesson that would come to define her leadership philosophy: the importance of trusting yourself and saying yes even when the path is uncertain.
Finding Purpose Through Compliance
While working in customer service, Barbara volunteered to assist one of her managers with licensing applications, as gambling regulation was beginning to develop under the UK Gambling Commission. It was here that she discovered her passion for compliance.
She became fascinated by the processes, governance, and accountability behind regulatory frameworks. What began as volunteering soon became a professional interest, and she realised that compliance combined the analytical rigour of her scientific background with the human and ethical elements that mattered deeply to her.
After several years in Spain, another opportunity arose, this time for her husband to relocate to London. Initially, he resisted, feeling settled in his career, but Barbara saw the move as an essential step for their family and her own career development. She convinced him to take the leap, once again guided by the same confidence and forward-thinking mindset that had driven her before.
Arriving in London, the family had no permanent home, no nursery for their daughter, and no job lined up. Yet within a month of landing, Barbara secured her first compliance role, despite having no formal background in the field.
This was another pivotal moment, made possible by a manager who saw her potential. Rather than rejecting her for a lack of direct experience, the manager chose to trust Barbara’s capability and adaptability. She even told Barbara to take the time she needed to get her family settled before starting. That gesture of belief and empathy became a cornerstone in Barbara’s understanding of what good leadership looks like.
The Power of a Boss Who Believes in You
During the live recording, Nadia reflected on the theme of the talk, “Get Yourself That Chance”, and highlighted how Barbara’s story encapsulates the impact of a leader who truly understands and supports you.
For Barbara, that early manager didn’t just offer her a job; she offered her trust. It was a defining act that gave Barbara both the confidence and opportunity to build her career.
A few months later, another turning point arrived. Her director approached her with a new challenge: to volunteer as Deputy Money Laundering Reporting Officer (DMLRO). Without hesitation, Barbara said yes, even though she didn’t yet know what AML (Anti-Money Laundering) meant. She quickly researched it, recognised the responsibilities involved, and returned to request the training and qualification she would need to succeed.
That moment was more than a career milestone. It was proof of the power of saying yes, coupled with the courage to follow through and learn fast. With the company’s support, Barbara completed her AML diploma, advanced into a senior compliance role, and eventually became MLRO for Europe.
Her journey illustrated that opportunities in FinTech often come to those who are willing to take initiative and back themselves. Saying yes, even when you’re unsure, can open the door to entirely new career paths, especially in an evolving, fast-paced industry like financial technology.
Believing in the Mission: Joining Banking Circle
After more than a decade in the gambling industry, Barbara recognised that while the work was intellectually stimulating, it wasn’t fully aligned with her personal values. She had never gambled herself, and she wanted to apply her compliance expertise to a mission that felt more meaningful.
This prompted her move into financial services, a transition that many professionals might find daunting. She applied to ING Bank for a compliance position, competing against hundreds of candidates, many with more direct experience. But she stood out by focusing on her transferable skills: her experience managing high-risk environments, her integrity, and her passion for continuous learning.
Her honesty, humility, and self-awareness made an impression. Barbara explained that she never overpromised on what she could deliver but confidently articulated the value she could bring. This mindset opened the door to financial services and ultimately led her to her current position at Banking Circle, a FinTech firm enabling efficient global cross-border payments.
At Banking Circle, Barbara found her professional purpose. She described her role as “living the dream”, not because it’s easy, but because it’s aligned with her beliefs. She deeply resonates with the company’s mission to simplify international payments, reduce costs, and empower financial institutions to serve their clients more effectively.
For Barbara, FinTech innovation and compliance excellence go hand in hand. Banking Circle’s technology stack, combined with its focus on compliance, screening, and transaction monitoring, allows the firm to support over 600 clients, from banks to FinTechs, through a single API connection to local clearing systems.
Her pride in the organisation is rooted not only in its product but in its culture, one that values trust, technical strength, and collaboration.
Transferable Skills and the Art of Career Storytelling
One of the key lessons Barbara shared during the session was the importance of recognising and communicating transferable skills when pursuing new opportunities.
She emphasised that many people underestimate how much their experience from one industry can bring value to another. When moving from gambling to financial services, she focused on the fact that she came from a higher-risk environment. This perspective gave her a unique understanding of risk management, regulation, and governance, all of which were directly relevant to FinTech compliance roles.
By presenting her background not as a limitation but as an asset, she reframed her story for hiring managers. Her success demonstrated that effective communication and self-awareness are as vital as technical expertise when transitioning careers.
This insight aligns strongly with what Harrington Starr champions through its FinTech recruitment work: helping professionals articulate their value and potential, even when their background isn’t a traditional fit. The FinTech industry thrives on fresh perspectives, and Barbara’s journey is a testament to how diverse experiences strengthen innovation and governance in financial technology.
The Power of Perspective and Empathy in FinTech Leadership
As the conversation turned to leadership, Barbara spoke about the experience of often being the only woman in the room, particularly in compliance and risk environments traditionally dominated by men. Early in her career, she found this challenging. Over time, she reframed it as an opportunity to bring a different perspective.
She has learned that diversity of thought leads to better decision-making and stronger outcomes, especially in regulated FinTech sectors. Barbara explained that being in male-dominated spaces taught her to speak clearly, listen actively, and maintain empathy, traits she now sees as core strengths.
For her, leadership in FinTech isn’t about mimicking others; it’s about staying authentic. She refuses to compromise on empathy or change her communication style to fit expectations. Instead, she focuses on being direct, fair, and respectful, proving that influence and authority don’t require raising your voice.
This philosophy mirrors the growing recognition across FinTech that emotional intelligence and inclusive leadership are vital to building sustainable, high-performing teams. In an industry where innovation and regulation intersect, leaders like Barbara show how empathy and clarity can coexist with rigour and accountability.
Paying It Forward: Encouraging the Next Generation of FinTech Talent
As the fireside chat came to a close, Nadia invited Barbara to share her advice for others building their careers in FinTech or compliance. Her message was simple yet profound: believe in yourself, stay curious, and be brave.
She encouraged professionals to trust their instincts and recognise that they are often stronger and more capable than they realise. Curiosity, she said, fuels growth, and bravery turns opportunity into progress.
Barbara also highlighted the importance of paying it forward. Just as early managers had believed in her, she now strives to do the same for others in her team and the wider industry. Her approach to mentorship and leadership is grounded in the same principles that have defined her journey: belief, empathy, and action.
Her words left the EWPN audience energised, closing with a collective moment that summed up the spirit of the discussion, a shared affirmation to “Be more Barbara.”
Empowering FinTech Careers Through Stories That Matter
Barbara Logoteta’s journey from science to compliance, from self-doubt to leadership, embodies the resilience and adaptability that define the modern FinTech workforce. Her story reflects many of the qualities that Harrington Starr champions through our work in FinTech recruitment: courage, curiosity, and the power of believing in your potential.
As the FinTech sector continues to evolve, with new challenges in compliance, risk management, and global payments, professionals like Barbara show that success is not confined to those with traditional experience. Instead, it belongs to those willing to learn, lead, and lift others along the way.
At FinTech’s DEI Discussions, stories like this remind us why inclusion matters. Different perspectives don’t just enrich culture; they strengthen innovation, sharpen governance, and make the entire financial technology ecosystem more resilient.
Recorded live at EWPN 2025 in Amsterdam, this conversation between Nadia and Barbara Logoteta is more than an inspiring career story. It’s a roadmap for anyone ready to redefine what’s possible in FinTech, and a powerful reminder that every great career begins with one small, brave decision to say yes.
