#9 Kay Swinburne: Leadership, Legacy and the Long Game

In this episode, I sit down with the remarkable Dr. Kay Swinburne, Baroness Swinburne.

Kay is currently the non-executive Chair of the Association of British Insurers and an advisor to numerous FS Boards, having held senior executive roles in the financial & professional services industry. She played a pivotal role in shaping regulatory reform, spearheading major legislative reforms in financial services covering key areas like MiFID II, EMIR. She was a member of the European Parliament (MEP) for Wales between 2009 and 2019 in the shadow of the great financial crash, which involved putting in place once in a lifetime legislation for financial services. Kay then had the great honour of becoming a member of the House of Lords in 2023.

However, it all began in West Wales. Kay’s roots were humble. She grew up in a family-run bakery, where her first job was helping behind the scenes - stacking shelves, weighing potatoes, and tackling the tasks no one else wanted. It was in those formative years that her relentless work ethic was forged and hard work became the foundation for everything that followed. Her school motto of Sic itur ad astra - reach for the stars becoming one of her north stars.

As a child, she dreamed of being a doctor or leading a major healthcare company. She began her career in pharmaceuticals, then went on to be a leading pharmaceutical analyst at an investment bank before founding and running a biotechnology hedge fund - all while raising her two young children just a year apart. This is a person who is used to dealing with personal pressure.

She speaks openly about how hard she has pushed herself - where good enough was never good enough. Relentlessly driven to test her limits, her early career was all about earning a seat at the table, delivering results, and making an impact. Today, while those ambitions remain, her focus has expanded to include not just success, but legacy.

Kay, by her own admission, is a meticulous planner and self-confessed control freak. Yet, ironically, the defining roles and pivotal moments in her career - from pharmaceuticals to banking, fund management to politics weren’t part of any master plan. Opportunities found her. It’s no surprise she’s been dubbed The Accidental Politician. She often reflects on the role of serendipity in her journey - success born not just of strategy, but of showing up and being open to the unexpected.

I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Kay. Her career has been defined by bold moves, guided by intellectual curiosity, courage, and humility. For Kay, it always comes back to the people. As she puts it, “It may have been your idea, it may be your company, but when things start to work, it’s because a team helped you deliver.” A powerful reminder that true leadership is never a solo act.

This is conversation is rich with insights, wisdom and lessons. It’s one you won’t want to miss.