Tag: AI

Celebrating International Women’s Day: Spotlight on Kate Sharland and Alison Power of Finiti Search

| 5 minutes

Every year on March 8, International Women’s Day is a global celebration of women’s achievements and a call to action for accelerating gender equality. In the world of fintech, a traditionally male-dominated industry, women are steadily making their mark. According to a 2021 report from Findexable, women now represent approximately 30 percent of the total fintech workforce and hold key leadership roles as executives, board members, and founders. 

At the forefront of this progress is Finiti, a female-founded fintech sales recruitment firm that has been championing excellence and inclusivity since 2007. Founded by Kate Sharland and Alison Power, two trailblazing women with a shared vision, Finiti has redefined what it means to recruit for fintech sales roles. With a global reach and a commitment to transparency, diversity, and client partnership, Finiti continues to take charge of placing exceptional talent and advocating for gender equity in fintech.

Building Finiti: A Story of Vision and Purpose

Kate Sharland and Alison Power’s journey began at Loughborough University, where their shared passion for leadership and innovation laid the foundation for Finiti. Recognizing a significant gap in the recruitment landscape for fintech sales, they set out to create a firm that not only addressed this need but also championed values of transparency and excellence.

From the beginning, Finiti was built on principles that set it apart:

  • Transparency and Communication: Open and honest dialogue with clients and candidates alike.
  • True Partnership: Building long-term relationships rooted in trust and mutual respect.
  • Commitment to Excellence: Striving to exceed expectations with every placement.

Though Finiti operates with a small but mighty team of fintech specialists, its reach is truly global, helping connect top-tier sales talent with innovative fintech companies.

At the heart of Finiti’s success are its founders whose leadership and vision inspire their team and clients.

Kate Sharland

Kate’s background in competitive field hockey shaped her as a leader and team player. These skills seamlessly transitioned into her professional life, where she quickly rose through the ranks of sales recruitment before specializing in fintech. Kate’s real passion is working with high growth businesses and matching talent to fit their needs. And on the flip side, Kate takes a lot of pride and responsibility in really changing a person’s career and life direction. 

Alison Power

Alison’s early passion for competitive football and leadership roles at Loughborough University fueled her drive for success. She transitioned from strategic marketing into fintech recruitment, where she found her true calling. An advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion, Power balances her professional pursuits with philanthropic efforts to empower underrepresented groups in fintech and the community.

Breaking Barriers as Female Leaders in Fintech Recruitment

As women in a male-dominated industry, Kate Sharland and Alison Power have faced their share of challenges. Yet, they’ve consistently turned obstacles into opportunities. By building a global network of top-tier fintech sales talent, Finiti has not only become the go-to recruiter for fintech sales but also a vocal advocate for diversity and inclusion. Their work has played a vital role in reshaping the landscape of fintech, ensuring that more women have a seat at the table in leadership roles.

When Kate and Alison reflect on the industry that stats really do tell a story. In 2017 10% of the salespeople in fintech were women. Now that number looks more like 30% of salespeople are women. 

The journey toward gender equity in fintech is not without obstacles, but progress is undeniable. By breaking down systemic barriers, prioritizing diversity, and fostering a culture of inclusion, the industry can unleash its full potential. 

Clarity AI and GDS Link are great examples of inspiring businesses that have female figure-heads leading the charge. 

Trailblazing leaders like Cristina Junqueira, Co-Founder of Nubank, and Emilie Choi, President and COO of Coinbase, serve as powerful examples of what’s possible. Their stories remind us to stay inspired and committed to shaping a fintech landscape where opportunity is accessible to everyone.

For those eager to support and elevate female talent in fintech, several organizations are driving meaningful change. Initiatives like the Female Innovators Lab and 100 Women in Finance are excellent starting points to turn advocacy into action and help create a more inclusive and dynamic future for the industry.

As we look to the future, Finiti Search remains committed to championing excellence in fintech recruitment and advocating for a more diverse and equitable industry. Here’s to the women leading the charge and inspiring the next generation of fintech leaders!

If you’re ready to partner with a team that values diversity, inclusion, and excellence, connect with us today. 

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Debunking AI Myths in Fintech: How Machine Learning Predicts Market Movements

| 4 minutes

Artificial intelligence (AI) is reshaping industries, and fintech is no exception. With the AI market in fintech surpassing $44 billion in 2024 and expected to exceed $50 billion by 2029, the sector is witnessing steady growth driven by innovation and adoption. From predicting stock prices to transforming customer engagement, the role of machine learning (ML) in finance is growing at an unprecedented pace. From forecasting market trends to enhancing customer experiences, machine learning (ML) is becoming a cornerstone of modern financial operations.

Let’s break down the myths and misconceptions about AI and uncover why it’s not just the future of fintech—but the present.

Machine Learning: The Superpower Behind Fintech

Machine learning is redefining how financial professionals understand markets, analyze data, and make decisions. ML systems can process vast amounts of information, uncovering patterns and trends that would take humans years to identify. They are transforming everything from stock price prediction and portfolio optimization to sentiment analysis and fraud detection.

While ML isn’t a crystal ball, it’s an unparalleled tool for predicting probabilities and driving smarter decisions. Human expertise remains vital, not as a limitation of AI but as its ultimate complement—creating a partnership where technology and people excel together.

Moving Beyond Myths: AI in Action

AI is already delivering transformative results in fintech, but lingering myths can prevent organizations from fully embracing its potential. Here’s the truth behind some common misconceptions:

  1. Myth: AI functions entirely on its own.
    Reality: AI thrives on collaboration. Advanced AI systems rely on human oversight to interpret results, fine-tune algorithms, and adapt to changing environments. For instance, Mastercard’s onboarding AI assistant uses human feedback to evolve continuously, demonstrating how AI and people work better together.
  2. Myth: AI needs perfect data to work.
    Reality: AI systems are built to adapt. Even when data is incomplete or noisy, machine learning models dynamically adjust, refining predictions over time. Imperfect data is not a barrier; it’s an opportunity for AI to prove its robustness.
  3. Myth: AI guarantees perfect stock market predictions.
    Reality: AI is about probabilities, not certainties. While it can highlight trends and patterns, factors like geopolitical events or market sentiment add unpredictability. This is where human intuition plays a crucial role in interpreting AI-driven insights.
  4. Myth: AI will replace human investment managers.
    Reality: Far from replacing humans, AI empowers them. Tools like Explainable AI (XAI) provide managers with deeper insights into complex datasets, enabling better, faster decisions while retaining the essential human touch.

The Future of AI in Market Prediction

Advancements in AI are opening new possibilities for financial institutions. Quantum computing, for example, promises to revolutionize data processing, enabling nanosegmentation for real-time global marketing strategies. Similarly, emotion AI and advanced customer analytics are enhancing client experiences, driving engagement, and fostering brand loyalty.

To fully harness these innovations, organizations must invest in talented professionals who understand both the technology and the intricacies of financial markets.

Why Finiti Search Is Your AI Recruitment Partner

As AI redefines fintech, the demand for talent who can navigate this evolving landscape is soaring. At Finiti Search, we specialize in connecting financial organizations with professionals at the cutting edge of AI and machine learning. Whether building AI-driven trading platforms or enhancing customer engagement with innovative analytics, we help you find the right talent to lead the charge.

For candidates, Finiti offers opportunities to work with companies that are pioneering advancements in fintech, ensuring your skills stay relevant in this dynamic industry.

By demystifying AI and highlighting its practical applications, we empower our clients and candidates to thrive in an era of rapid technological change. Contact us today to learn how we can help you navigate the future of fintech recruitment.

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