Open Finance, Happy Teams, and a Platform for Change

The FinTech industry is built on a foundation of innovation, forward-thinking solutions, and the ability to adapt to a constantly changing environment. In the latest episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions, Nadia sits down with Louise Beaumont, Senior Vice President for Global Open Banking and Open Finance Engagement at Mastercard, to explore how inclusivity, collaboration, and actionable strategies can redefine the FinTech landscape.

At Harrington Starr, we pride ourselves on being a leading FinTech recruitment business. Connecting top talent with forward-thinking organisations is at the heart of what we do. As the industry embraces discussions around diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), this episode stands as an essential resource for anyone striving to make a meaningful impact in their business.

Mastercard’s Expanding Role in Open Banking and Open Finance

Louise opens the conversation by detailing Mastercard’s mission to be present wherever money or data needs to move. While Mastercard is most recognised for its global card networks, its scope has expanded significantly. The organisation now plays a pivotal role in open banking, open finance, and account-to-account payments, reshaping how ecosystems function in the financial industry.

Describing her role, Louise uses the term “market development.” She is tasked with fostering an ecosystem that delivers value to businesses and consumers alike. This entails collaboration with legislators, regulators, industry bodies, academia, and commercial allies. By working with such a diverse group of stakeholders, Mastercard ensures the financial landscape is poised to adapt and thrive.

Shifting the Narrative: Growing the Pie in Financial Services 

A recurring theme in this episode is Louise’s belief in the power of collaboration over competition. She draws on her extensive career, which includes founding FinTech startups, managing venture capital portfolios, and working within large corporations, to challenge the notion that businesses must compete for finite opportunities. Instead, Louise advocates for a more collaborative model.

“We’re not here to fight for a slice of the pie,” she explains. “We’re here to grow the whole pie, creating opportunities for everyone to achieve more and benefit greater.” This idea of shared success is a critical takeaway for the FinTech sector. In an industry driven by innovation, collaboration enables companies to tap into broader markets and create more substantial, lasting impacts.

At Harrington Starr, we embrace this mindset. By fostering collaboration between organisations and the talent they hire, we help build inclusive workplaces that thrive on diverse ideas and perspectives. This commitment to growth and inclusivity is reflected in every connection we facilitate.

Broadening Career Horizons in FinTech

When it comes to career growth, Louise offers a fresh perspective. She critiques the traditional notion of setting rigid five-year plans or focusing excessively on weaknesses. These approaches, she argues, often lead to a narrow focus that blinds individuals to the multitude of opportunities around them.

“There are 360 degrees of opportunity,” she asserts. Rather than limiting oneself to a specific goal, professionals should focus on what brings them happiness, fulfilment, and success. By staying open to unexpected opportunities and focusing on strengths, individuals can navigate their careers in a way that aligns with their passions and long-term goals.

This philosophy aligns perfectly with Harrington Starr’s role as a FinTech recruitment business. We specialise in helping professionals find roles that not only match their skills but also align with their aspirations. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or just starting out, keeping an open mind can lead to exciting and rewarding career paths in FinTech.

Building Teams That Thrive in Financial Services

Creating thriving teams is a key focus of Louise’s discussion. She challenges the outdated corporate practice of forcing individuals to “fix their weaknesses.” This approach, she explains, often leads to anxiety and underperformance. Instead, organisations should focus on identifying and leveraging employees’ strengths.

“Let’s create teams full of people doing what they’re great at—and what makes them happy,” Louise advises. This approach improves not only individual well-being but also overall team performance. When people are empowered to excel in areas they enjoy, they contribute more meaningfully to their organisation’s success.

At Harrington Starr, we see the transformative power of this approach every day. By connecting companies with candidates whose strengths align with organisational needs, we help build teams that drive innovation and deliver exceptional results.

The Evolution of Inclusion in the Workplace in FinTech

Reflecting on her career, which spans over 30 years, Louise discusses the progress made in fostering inclusion in the workplace. She acknowledges that while certain behaviours once deemed acceptable have been eradicated, there is still significant work to be done to ensure true inclusivity.

“We’ve come a long way in some areas,” she observes, “but there are still things happening today that people find just as upsetting as the issues from 30 years ago.” This recognition highlights the ongoing need for vigilance, action, and progress in creating inclusive work environments.

In the FinTech industry, where innovation often outpaces regulation, leading by example is crucial. Companies must proactively address bias, foster diversity, and create cultures where everyone feels valued and empowered. Harrington Starr is proud to support this mission by connecting organisations with talent that reflects the diversity of the communities they serve.

Tracking FinTech Career Inclusion with Facts 

A central theme in the episode is Louise’s emphasis on data-driven approaches to DEI. She advocates for using facts, rather than feelings, to track progress and hold organisations accountable. By measuring metrics such as representation in talent pools, job offers, and retention rates, companies can have productive, fact-based discussions about their efforts.

“Facts allow for rational discussion,” Louise explains. “They take the emotion and defensiveness out of the equation and empower us to address issues effectively.” This approach is particularly valuable in FinTech, where data and analytics play a significant role in shaping strategies and solutions.

At Harrington Starr, we understand the importance of transparency and accountability in recruitment. By leveraging data to inform our processes, we help organisations build inclusive teams that reflect their values and drive their success.

Taking Responsibility: Walking the Talk

Louise closes the discussion with a call to action for leaders in FinTech and beyond. She stresses the importance of taking ownership of inclusion efforts, rather than delegating them to HR or sidelining them as “too hard.” Leaders, she argues, must be proactive in addressing these challenges.

“If you’re the FinTech hiring manager or the person in charge, it’s your responsibility to act,” she says. This sentiment resonates deeply with Harrington Starr’s mission to walk the talk for inclusion. By helping organisations identify gaps in their recruitment processes and implement actionable solutions, we empower them to create workplaces where everyone can thrive.

Key Takeaways from the Episode

This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions is a compelling exploration of how inclusivity, collaboration, and actionable strategies can reshape the FinTech industry. Louise Beaumont’s insights provide a roadmap for businesses looking to foster thriving workplaces and drive meaningful change.

From growing the pie for everyone to focusing on strengths and leveraging data, the conversation highlights practical steps that organisations can take to enhance their DEI efforts.

At Harrington Starr, we are committed to driving these conversations and helping businesses build high-performing, inclusive teams. Whether you’re a company looking for top talent or a FinTech professional seeking your next opportunity, we’re here to support you.

Harrington Starr

This episode of FinTech’s DEI Discussions featuring Louise Beaumont, SVP Global Open Banking & Open Finance Engagement at Mastercard, deeply resonates with Harrington Starr’s mission and values. As a global FinTech recruitment business, Harrington Starr is committed to fostering diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) in the financial technology industry. This podcast embodies those principles by highlighting the actionable steps organisations can take to create more inclusive, thriving workplaces.

Louise’s insights into the importance of collaboration and inclusivity mirror the philosophy Harrington Starr applies in its recruitment processes. Louise speaks about the value of “growing the pie” for everyone, rather than competing for limited opportunities. This aligns with our approach to connecting exceptional talent with innovative FinTech companies, ensuring both businesses and candidates can achieve their full potential.

Her discussion on building FinTech teams that focus on strengths rather than weaknesses also reflects Harrington Starr’s methodology. By understanding individual strengths and aligning them with the needs of our clients, we help create high-performing, motivated teams that are ready to drive innovation in FinTech.

Furthermore, Louise’s emphasis on tracking progress with data aligns with Harrington Starr’s commitment to transparency and accountability in Financial Tech recruitment. By leveraging data, we ensure our clients make informed hiring decisions that contribute to a diverse and equitable workforce.

At Harrington Starr, we strive to lead by example, actively engaging in conversations like these to champion inclusion and innovation. This podcast reinforces our belief that by walking the talk on DEI, businesses can achieve not just greater fairness but also stronger growth and resilience. It’s a message that underpins everything we do as a recruitment business and one we are proud to amplify.