A Lookback on our First Women in Fintech Event

• Celebrating International Women’s Day, Wirex hosted a panel discussion on bridging the gap between the new economy and traditional finance, spotlighting client onboarding, KYC and AML 
• Read more about the event and Wirex's plans moving forward in promoting diversity in the fintech industry 

In celebration of International Women’s Day, we’re looking back at our recent event that we co-hosted, ‘Women in Fintech: Bridging the gap between the New Economy and Traditional Finance - a spotlight on Client Onboarding, KYC and AML’. 

Why ‘Women in Fintech’? 

A couple of weeks ago, we partnered with VRS Solutions, RAW Compliance and JJC FinTech to host our first Women in Fintech event, live from Level39. For our companies, this initiative is close to their hearts, with a shared goal of promoting women across the various sectors and giving them a platform to share information and inspire others.  

Promoting women in the crypto sector has been an important part of our ethos for several years now. Not only have we got an above average female: male ratio working at the company, and have hosted our annual Women in Crypto campaign, Rising Women in Crypto Power List, and panel event, also from Level39.  

So when we discussed our shared passion for promoting diversity, it seemed like a no-brainer to work together on a new initiative – Women in Fintech. 

What was the panel about? 

On Thursday 23rd February 2023, we hosted a cross-industry debate about how best to work together, help each other grow with regards to compliance, and shed light on a much-needed conversation to push our industries forward. 

The event took place at Level39 in Canary Wharf, London, a central location in the city that serves as a focal point for businesses in the fintech and compliance spaces. It was followed by a networking session with food and drink. 

We invited our networks to join us in-person to listen to a panel of experienced women from traditional finance and the new economy world to debate a timely topic: 

Bridging the gap between the New Economy and Traditional Finance - a spotlight on Client Onboarding, KYC and AML  

Drawing upon their own experiences and backgrounds in KYC, AML and CDD, the panellists shared lessons we can learn from the many pitfalls and wins, the synergies across sectors and the future of tech innovation, operational training, risk control and governance. It was full of fierce debate and an opportunity for two sectors to help each other push the boundaries of compliance.  

Who was on the panel? 

Five incredible women were on the panel, including: 

• Oonagh Van den Berg, Founder at RAW Compliance and Virtual Risk Solutions (VRS)  
• Yasmeen Jaffer, Co-Founder & Partner at JJCFinTech  
• Debbie Grant, Head of Financial Crime Operations & Global Fraud at Wirex  
• Raminder Bath, Head of ICS Core Operations Transformation at Citi 
• Nicola Poole, Global Head of New Client Onboarding  

What are our plans moving forward? 

Of course, Women in Crypto is a year-round initiative for us, so we’re hoping to continue working with these partners to make the Women in Fintech events a quarterly initiative, with new topics to discuss each time. Some of these will be livestreamed webinars, so people from around the globe can also listen in, and some in-person. Make sure you follow our LinkedIn and keep your eyes peeled for the next initiative!