The Top 1% Workplace Awards: How Leading FinTech Companies are Investing in Talent in 2024

Live from FinTech Connect, Harrington Starr's Toby Babb hosts an engaging and thought-provoking panel discussion on workplace culture and leadership, joined by Clare Jones, Chief People Officer at GSS, Joachim Lauterbach, CEO at valantic FSA and Lili Singh, People Business Partner at Calastone. The conversation dives deep into what makes a workplace thrive, focusing on leadership, trust, and the value of diversity, equity, and inclusion in modern FinTech environments.

This episode provides valuable insights for FinTech recruitment professionals, fintech recruiters, and industry leaders striving to create inclusive, people-driven organisations. The panelists share how they are responding to evolving employee expectations, driving meaningful workplace cultures, and fostering innovation in an increasingly competitive talent market.

Leading with Purpose: Shaping Workplace Culture in FinTech

The episode kicks off with a focus on how leadership plays a fundamental role in shaping workplace culture. Clare Jones from GSS highlights the importance of having a clear purpose, a strong vision, and leadership that communicates effectively. For many FinTech companies, particularly those scaling at speed, aligning leadership priorities with employee engagement is a critical challenge. Clare emphasises that when leaders prioritise trust, transparency, and consistent communication, they create environments where employees feel empowered and valued.

Joachim Lauterbach of valantic FSA echoes these sentiments, sharing his experience in balancing leadership responsibilities while fostering a strong, people-centric workplace. He discusses the need for leadership to focus on employee development and autonomy, noting that a collaborative culture drives both innovation and retention.

For fintech recruiters and FinTech businesses, this reinforces a key message: attracting and retaining top talent requires leaders to set a vision that resonates across teams and actively invest in people. Leaders must not just manage but inspire, creating environments where employees thrive and contribute meaningfully to organisational success.

Adapting to Hybrid Work: Balancing Flexibility and Connectivity

The discussion naturally moves to one of the biggest shifts in recent years: hybrid working. Lili Singh from Calastone shares her experiences managing teams in a flexible work environment. She highlights the delicate balance between autonomy and connectivity, recognising the importance of fostering meaningful interactions despite physical distance. Hybrid working is here to stay, but as Lili explains, it requires a deliberate approach to communication and team cohesion.

For Calastone, this has meant focusing on regular team touchpoints, personalised development plans, and providing employees with opportunities to collaborate both virtually and in person. These efforts ensure that teams stay aligned and connected while still enjoying the flexibility that hybrid work offers.

Toby Babb adds that this approach is critical for fintech recruiters and organisations looking to remain competitive in attracting top talent. By offering hybrid solutions that prioritise both flexibility and a strong culture of communication, businesses can stand out in an increasingly demanding FinTech talent market.

The Value of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in FinTech

A key theme throughout the episode is the importance of DE&I in workplace culture. Clare Jones highlights how DE&I initiatives go beyond box-ticking exercises and must be embedded in an organisation’s core values. She shares how GSS has created a workplace environment that promotes inclusivity and celebrates diverse thought, ensuring that all voices are heard and represented.

Lili Singh expands on this, drawing from Calastone’s DE&I efforts, including initiatives that support women in technology and underrepresented talent. She emphasises that companies with diverse teams not only perform better but are also more innovative, creating solutions that meet the diverse needs of their customers.

Joachim Lauterbach brings a leadership perspective to the conversation, explaining how valantic FSA has approached DE&I as a cornerstone of its talent strategy. He notes that businesses that prioritise inclusivity benefit from improved collaboration, stronger team dynamics, and higher profitability—an observation backed by data showing that diverse teams are 35% more likely to outperform their peers.

For fintech recruiters and HR professionals, this discussion underscores the competitive advantage of diverse workplaces. DE&I is not just about fairness; it’s a proven driver of performance, innovation, and employee satisfaction.

Workplace Culture as a Competitive Advantage

A recurring theme in the panel discussion is that workplace culture is no longer a “nice-to-have”—it’s a competitive advantage. As Toby points out, many of the companies celebrated in The Financial Technologist magazine’s Top 1% Workplace Awards share common traits: strong leadership, a commitment to DE&I, and an emphasis on people-driven growth.

Clare Jones shares how GSS has developed its culture through initiatives like streamlined onboarding processes, leadership training, and open communication channels. She explains that investing in culture isn’t just about retaining employees; it’s about creating an environment where individuals feel valued, challenged, and able to grow.

Joachim adds that workplace culture must be tailored to the unique needs of the business. While incentives and perks play a role, creating a sustainable culture requires leadership to listen to employee feedback and adapt to evolving expectations.

Lili brings the conversation full circle, noting that companies that invest in their people—through training, mentorship, and personal development—are better equipped to navigate challenges and drive long-term success.

FinTech Recruitment: Attracting and Retaining Top Talent

The panel concludes by addressing the role of workplace culture in FinTech recruitment. For fintech recruiters, the takeaways are clear: organisations that prioritise people, culture, and inclusivity are best positioned to attract top talent. Toby Babb points out that this is particularly relevant in today’s competitive talent market, where candidates are increasingly looking for companies that align with their values and offer clear opportunities for growth.

Clare, Joachim, and Lili agree that recruitment strategies must evolve alongside workplace cultures. Businesses must demonstrate their commitment to employee wellbeing, DE&I, and leadership development if they hope to attract and retain the next generation of FinTech talent.

The insights shared in this episode are a masterclass in building thriving workplaces. For fintech recruiters and HR leaders, it’s a reminder that successful recruitment goes hand in hand with a strong, inclusive culture. As highlighted in The Financial Technologist magazine, the companies leading the charge in workplace culture are those that invest in their people, embrace diversity, and foster innovation.

A Blueprint for Success

This episode of FinTech Focus TV is an essential listen for anyone interested in FinTech recruitment, workplace culture, and leadership. Clare Jones, Joachim Lauterbach, and Lili Singh provide a blueprint for creating environments where employees can thrive, innovation can flourish, and businesses can succeed.

From embracing hybrid working to prioritising DE&I and cultivating strong leadership, the panel shares actionable insights that resonate across the FinTech industry. For fintech recruiters, HR leaders, and businesses alike, the message is clear: people are at the heart of every successful workplace.

Discover more insights like these in The Financial Technologist magazine, where we celebrate the companies leading the way in creating exceptional workplaces. For those looking to build inclusive, innovative, and people-centric organisations, this episode offers inspiration and practical strategies for success.

Download your free copy of the latest Financial Technologist magazine: The Top 1% Workplace Awards 2024 here.