Fintech Insider Podcast by 11:FS

988: Insights: How can the UK regain its fintech mojo?

Aug 14, 2025
Guest
Oliver Smith
Guest
Valentina Kristensen
Valentina Kristensen, Corporate Affairs Director at OakNorth, discusses the UK's evolving fintech landscape, emphasizing its strengths and challenges in retaining its leading role. Freelance journalist Oliver Smith sheds light on the competitive pressures from global players and the industry's shift towards AI. Together, they explore how cultural attitudes and regulatory frameworks impact innovation. They also share insights on the changing narrative around fintech startups and the urgent need for new strategies to sustain growth and attract talent in the sector.
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INSIGHT

Why London Rose — And Why Staying Top Is Hard

  • London became a fintech leader by design: smart regulation, deep talent, and concentrated capital.
  • Being top dog made it harder to maintain dominance as competitors caught up.
INSIGHT

Unrepeatable Geographic Advantage

  • The UK still has forward-thinking regulators, top universities, and geographic advantages for global business.
  • London's proximity of tech, finance and policymakers is a unique, hard-to-replicate asset.
INSIGHT

Culture Shapes Startup Outcomes

  • Cultural attitudes in the UK discourage celebrating entrepreneurship and tolerate less failure than the US.
  • That mindset reduces serial entrepreneurship and reinvestment into the ecosystem.
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