Beyond The Capital from SuperTech

Beyond The Capital is the podcast series from SuperTech that explores the professional services tech scene outside of London. We’re also on the AdviserTech Show podcast feed.This is a special four-part mini-series in partnership with the Women in Finance Collective, a new network to promote and support women who work in finance and fintech in the Midlands.In this episode, we spotlight the next generation of women shaping the future of financial services and fintech. Host Hilary Smyth-Allen is joined by Florence Govier, Product Manager at Moneyinfo, and Naya Hemans-Westerway, Business Consultant at Jigsawtree.They share frank reflections on entering the industry, navigating male-dominated spaces, and why fintech continues to attract ambitious young professionals.They discuss:The career journeys that led Florence and Naya into fintechWhy financial services remains a stable but evolving career pathExperiences of being the “only woman in the room” and how confidence, preparation and community helpThe reality of ageism and gender bias, and how younger women are pushing for changeSetting boundaries, finding role models, and using networks like the Women in Finance CollectiveLinks:To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.To find out more about Moneyinfo click here.To find out more about Jigsaw Tree click here.To find out more about the Women In Finance Collective click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond The Capital is the podcast series from SuperTech that explores the professional services tech scene outside of London. We’re also on the AdviserTech Show podcast feed.This is a special four-part mini-series in partnership with the Women in Finance Collective, a new network to promote and support women who work in finance and fintech in the Midlands.In this episode, host Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Amira Norris, Co-Founder of The Mentor Standard, and Julie Goddard, Business Psychologist and Founder of The Success Architect. They explore the role of behavioural psychology in leadership and decision-making, and how high-stakes environments, such as finance, shape it.They discuss:Why clarity matters more than confidence when making decisionsThe impact of constant pressure and uncertainty post-CovidHow trust underpins effective leadership and team performanceAvoiding the 'false sense of urgency' in tech-driven changeRethinking 'imposter syndrome' and why self-doubt can be healthyLinks:To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.To find out more about Moneyinfo click here.To find out more about Jigsaw Tree click here.To find out more about the Women In Finance Collective click here.To find out more about The Mentor Standard click here.To find out more about The Success Architect click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Beyond the Capital, part of our Women in Finance Collective mini-series, host Hilary Smith-Allen is joined by Kim Jenkins, Chief Operating Officer of fintech firm Afternoon, and Liz Basten, founder of Kiss My Brand, a marketing agency.Together, they share their reflections on decades of working in fintech and financial services, tackling barriers and exploring how women can thrive at every stage of their careers. From building a personal brand to navigating career plateaus, from embracing AI to re-setting career purpose, this is a conversation packed with insight, honesty, and practical advice.They discuss:The barriers women still face in fintech and financial services, from male-dominated cultures to hidden biasesWhy visibility is crucial for career progression and how to build it without feeling like you’re “showing off”Practical ways to create a personal brand that feels authentic and builds credibilityThe role of mentorship, both official and unofficial, in overcoming isolation and accelerating growthRethinking career trajectories: pivoting, resetting purpose, and tackling mid-career “stuck” momentsHow AI is reshaping roles in finance and why it could create new opportunities for womenThe importance of community, like the Women in Finance Collective, in building confidence and support networksChapters:00:00 Introduction to Women in Finance02:27 Barriers in the Workplace06:31 Building a Personal Brand09:17 The Importance of Mentorship12:40 Navigating Career Progression15:47 The Impact of AI on Careers19:09 Finding Purpose and Skills for the FutureResources:To find out more about SuperTech click here.To find out more about the Women in Finance Collective click here.To find out more about Afternoon click here.To find out more about Kiss My Brand click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond The Capital is the podcast series from SuperTech that explores the professional services tech scene outside of London. We’re also on the AdviserTech Show podcast feed.This is a special four-part mini-series in partnership with the Women in Finance Collective, a new network to promote and support women who work in finance and fintech in the Midlands.For this first episode of the series, host Hilary Smyth-Allen is joined by Tessa Lee, Managing Director of Moneyinfo, and Gemma Lowndes, Director of Operations for Jigsaw Tree. Moneyinfo and Jigsaw Tree are the founding companies of the Women In Finance Collective. They discuss:Why the Collective was needed in the MidlandsThe importance of local support and how local networks provide more relevant support than national groupsHow women still face challenges in leadership roles within financial servicesHow community and connections are vital for women in finance.Sharing success stories can inspire and motivate othersWhy education about finance careers should start in schoolsHow AI can enhance roles in finance rather than replace themChapters:00:00 Introduction to the Women in Finance Collective02:43 The Need for Local Support in Finance05:41 Challenges Faced by Women in Finance08:36 The Role of Technology in Finance10:52 Building a Supportive Community12:12 Inspiring Future Generations13:02 Getting Involved with the CollectiveMore information:To find out more about SuperTech WM click here.To find out more about Moneyinfo click here.To find out more about Jigsaw Tree click here.To find out more about the Women In Finance Collective click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the final episode of a four-part mini-series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech WM, in partnership with the TiPS Accelerator, a programme helping regional law and accountancy firms adopt new technology.This episode explores how accountancy and audit firm Armstrong Watson navigated the cultural, technical, and client-related challenges of adopting new audit technology through the TiPS accelerator programme.Host Hilary Smith-Allen is joined by Steve Preston and Lucy Hughes, who share their experience of implementing data analytics tools across Armstrong Watson’s offices, managing team engagement and collaborating with both clients and suppliers.They discuss how a mindset shift, at both board level and across teams, was essential to success, how change management workshops helped guide the process, and why rolling out the pilot at scale made all the difference.They discuss:The importance of planning as success starts before implementationHow mindset matters at every level of the organisationHow to bring your team with you Choosing the right supplier  Client collaboration can be a key differentiatorChapters:00:00 – Introduction to the TIPS programme01:18 – About Armstrong Watson02:18 – Mindset challenges and cultural shifts03:45 – Why data analytics?05:14 – How external support accelerated change06:37 – Running pilots and rolling out across offices08:23 – Defining success: audit quality, efficiency, and client service10:15 – Adapting plans and improving feedback loops13:08 – Involving clients in the pilot process15:22 – Supplier relationships and off-the-shelf vs bespoke tech18:43 – Measuring impact and looking ahead21:18 – Team buy-in and long-term cultural change22:45 – Final takeaways for firms on the tech journeyFind out more about TiPS here and SuperTech here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the third episode of a four-part mini-series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech WM, in partnership with the TiPS Accelerator, a programme helping regional law and accountancy firms adopt new technology.This episode features leaders from Thorntons, a full-service Scottish law firm, who speak to host Hilary Smyth-Allen about their journey on the TiPS Accelerator. Sarah Blair, Jane McCance, and Lewis Quinn unpack how the firm used service design thinking to drive digital transformation, foster AI literacy, and unveil the real human challenges behind legal tech adoption.From co-creating solutions with colleagues to embracing “messy” innovation, they share their people-first approach to change - and how that’s shaping the firm's internal transformation programme.They discuss:Why adoption is a human, not just technical, problemHow service design and the Double Diamond framework guided discoveryBuilding AI literacy and safe experimentation across the firmCreating a firm-wide cultural shift, one post-it at a timeHow the TiPS project laid the groundwork for a firm-wide change programmeChapters:00:00 – Introduction to TiPS and Thorntons01:45 – Thorntons’ structure, services, and innovation roles04:20 – The trap of tech-first thinking and why adoption lags06:30 – Identifying human problems before implementing solutions08:00 – Shifting project scope: literacy, service design and the “AI Sandbox”10:14 – Building transformation roles from scratch12:00 – Starting with discovery and asking the right questions15:00 – What the project uncovered (and what it changed)17:17 – What is the Double Diamond? A primer on service design19:15 – From AI requests to deeper diagnostics and real solutions22:00 – Aligning innovation with strategic priorities24:25 – Wellbeing, time-saving, and what “impact” really means27:00 – Culture change and playful innovation techniques29:00 – AI roadshows, Jedi groups, and safe experimentation31:15 – Upskilling junior colleagues and early-career catalysts33:42 – Final takeaways: messiness, experimentation, and mindset Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This is the second episode of a four-part mini-series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech WM, in partnership with the TiPS Accelerator—a programme helping regional law and accountancy firms adopt new technology.In this episode, host Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Dr Catriona Wolfenden, Director of Product and Innovation at Weightmans, a top-40 UK law firm. She shares insights from Weightmans’ participation in the TiPS accelerator programme, focusing on how trust plays a pivotal role in the successful adoption of legal technology, especially emerging tools like generative AI.The conversation explores how the legal innovation team at Weightmans balances enthusiasm for technology with risk awareness, pilot fatigue, and stakeholder engagement. Listeners will hear how trust varies across teams, projects, and client relationships. Plus, thinking critically before launching a pilot is more important than ever.They discuss:How to think long-term: today’s pilot affects tomorrow’s cultureThe importance of transparent communicationWhy trust isn’t binary—it varies by project, person, and contextStarting with the problem, not the technologyChapters:00:00 – Introduction to TiPS and Weightmans01:20 – Role of the innovation team and post-COVID tech shift03:26 – The GenAI explosion and the risks of hype05:46 – Trust as the cornerstone of successful pilots07:03 – Legal responsibility and the “black box” problem10:36 – The academic and cross-sector value of TiPS12:11 – Mapping stakeholder trust and pilot impact14:31 – Avoiding the “snake oil” trap15:49 – Is GenAI hype, or here to stay?17:35 – ROI challenges and market saturation19:32 – Innovation lessons for smaller firms21:36 – Managing disruption and unintended consequences23:11 – One key takeaway: plan more than you think you need toLinks:Find out more about the TiPS accelerator hereFind out more about SuperTech WM hereFind out more about Weightmans here Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech WM, we find out about the TiPS Accelerator—a programme helping regional law and accountancy firms adopt new technology.Host Hilary Smith-Allen is joined by the research team at Oxford Brookes Business School—Professor Tim Vorley, Dr. Francisco Trincado Munoz, and Dr. Hannah Tornow—to explore how the accelerator helped firms navigate the challenges of digital transformation. From AI readiness to rethinking business models, this project focused on people as much as it did on technology.They discuss:Why tech adoption isn’t just about the techWhat holds mid-sized proftech firms back—and how to move forwardThe power of collaboration between academia and industryHow building trust, accountability, and peer learning drives changeLessons learned and what’s next for the TiPS accelerator teamFind out more about the TiPS accelerator here.Find out more about SuperTech WM here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Beyond The Capital from SuperTech. This is a four-part mini-series about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab. SuperTech has partnered with Fintech Scotland for the Lab, which is an industry-led collaborative research and innovation programme, helping to shape future financial regulation in the UK. The programme - and this mini-series - focuses on how new technologies can deliver better outcomes for customers following the introduction of Consumer Duty regulation.In this episode, host Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Rachel McGowan, Chief Technology Officer of Moneyline, about the impact of Consumer Duty on Community Development Finance Institutions (CDFIs). They discuss:The role of CDFIs, such as Moneyline, in providing financial services to low-income householdsUnderstanding different customer personas including the ‘forgotten customer’The role of the Innovation Lab in developing solutions for helping address the needs of financially excluded customers To find out more about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Beyond The Capital from SuperTech. This is a four-part mini-series about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab. SuperTech has partnered with Fintech Scotland for the Lab, which is an industry-led collaborative research and innovation programme, helping to shape future financial regulation in the UK. The programme - and this mini-series - focuses on how new technologies can deliver better outcomes for customers following the introduction of Consumer Duty regulation.This episode delves into the impact of Consumer Duty on financial advice. The regulation was introduced to improve customers’ experience of financial products and advice, but how is it impacting the advice gap?  To find out, Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Ben Hampton, CEO of Wealth Wizards, and Professor John Finch of Glasgow University. John is the Principal Investigator in the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab project.They discuss:How Gen Z's engagement with financial advice is different to older generations How regulatory changes, such as Consumer Duty, can stimulate innovation in the industryThe role technology can play in helping bridge the advice gap.AI's role in financial services and how it’s evolvingTo find out more about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Beyond The Capital from SuperTech. This is a four-part mini-series about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab. SuperTech has partnered with Fintech Scotland for the Lab, which is an industry led collaborative research and innovation programme, helping to shape the future financial regulation in the UK. The programme - and this mini-series - focuses on how new technologies can deliver better outcomes for customers following the introduction of Consumer Duty regulation.In this episode, the focus is on the challenges facing credit unions following the introduction of Consumer Duty.Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Helen Toft, a Non-Executive Director at Advance Credit Union in Birmingham, and Elizabeth Campbell, the General Manager at Castlemilk Credit Union in Glasgow.They discuss:How Consumer Duty is aligned with the values of credit unions The financial constraints that limit credit unions' ability to innovateHow collaboration with fintechs is essential for growthHow the innovation lab provides a platform for creative solutionsTo find out more about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to Beyond The Capital from SuperTech and a special four-part series about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab. SuperTech has partnered with Fintech Scotland for the Lab, which is an industry led collaborative research and innovation programme, helping to shape the future financial regulation in the UK. The programme - and this mini-series - focuses on how new technologies can deliver better outcomes for customers following the introduction of Consumer Duty regulation.In this episode, presenter Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Lorraine Breese-Price, the Chief Customer Officer of Dudley Building Society. They discuss the challenges and opportunities that Consumer Duty poses for building societies, including:The alignment of Consumer Duty with the mutual ownership modelThe challenges of legacy systems within building societiesHow building societies’ focus on ethical values can attract younger customersTo find out more about the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our special mini-series of Beyond The Capital recorded at Birmingham Tech Week 2024.In this episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen explores the challenges and opportunities of AI adoption in the legal sector. She spoke to Emma Jackson, Head of Legal Technology & Data at Mills & Reeve; Vipul Ladwa, founder of legal tech company Casey; and Aisling O’Connell, Head of Innovation Policy at the Solicitors Regulations Authority.They discuss:How the adoption of AI is both a significant challenge and opportunity for the legal sectorHow the need for clarity from regulators like the SRA is crucial for tech adoptionHow small solicitors’ firms face unique challenges in adopting technologyCollaboration between law firms and tech vendors is essential for adoptionParallels between the growth trajectory of legal tech and fintechBeyond The Capital is the podcast series that explores the professional services technology scene outside of London, brought to you by SuperTech. To find out more about SuperTech, click here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our special mini-series of Beyond The Capital recorded at Birmingham Tech Week 2024.In this episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen finds out more about the role of the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT). She speaks to its CEO Ezechi Britton. They discuss:CFIT’s role in driving financial innovation in the UKThe importance of open finance How the Digital Innovation and Smart Data Bill is a key step for financial innovationThe growing momentum towards smart data and open financeBeyond The Capital is the podcast series that explores the professional services technology scene outside of London, brought to you by SuperTech. To find out more about SuperTech, click here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our special mini-series of Beyond The Capital recorded at Birmingham Tech Week 2024.In this episode, we’re finding out about AI and real estate. Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Shakirah Akinwale, centre director of University College London’s Centre for Sustainability and RealTech Innovation, who is also a smart buildings technology consultant. She also speaks to Tom Shrive, the CPO Adiuvo and Chair of the RED Foundation AI committee.They discuss:The benefits, challenges and risks of AI in real estateWhat can be achieved with using AI in urban planningThe ideal scenario for smart buildingsHow these visions can be achieved safelyBeyond The Capital is the podcast series that explores the professional services technology scene outside of London, brought to you by SuperTech. To find out more about SuperTech, click here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Welcome to our special mini-series of Beyond The Capital recorded at Birmingham Tech Week 2024.In this episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen finds out about the evolving landscape of the UK's fintech sector following the recent election of a Labour government. She spoke to Adam Jackson, Chief Strategy Officer at Innovate Finance. They discuss:How the new government’s current approach to fintech is characterised by continuity rather than seismic shiftsThe role of fintech in regional developmentThe opportunities and challenges aheadHow fintech is a priority sector under the government’s industrial strategyHow smart data and open finance are key areas for future developmentBeyond The Capital is the podcast series that explores the professional services technology scene outside of London, brought to you by SuperTech. To find out more about SuperTech, click here.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series of Beyond The Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships. Birmingham-based Fastcheck was set up by Amar Rana who was frustrated by the complicated nature of obtaining car finance. In this episode, Hilary speaks to Amar about:How a pain point for customers helped spark the idea for FastcheckHow a cold approach through LinkedIn was pivotal for the companyHow partnerships have helped Fastcheck scale and connect with key partnersPlans for the next year, including scaling in the auto sector and expansion in other sectorsTo find out more about Fastcheck click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.Shame is a huge barrier to tackling problem debt. But the first thing anyone in debt is required to do is complete an income and expenditure form. To help those complete this form who can’t face speaking to a real person, a Midlands-based business has come up with a solution: an AI assistant to help with affordability assessments. In this episode, Hilary speaks with Rachel Curtis, CEO and co-founder of Inicio AI. They discuss:How the business started when the founder realised the need for a non-judgmental space for consumers to seek help with their debts.Inicio AI’s partnerships with benefits checkers, open banking partners, debt advice companies, and cybersecurity providers.The benefits of accelerator programs.How Inicio AI aims to scale its operations and expand into new use cases beyond debt management.Please note, that this episode briefly mentions suicide. To find out more about Incio AI click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.A fintech that’s focused on credit unions and community banks says its whole business model is formed on partnerships. Incuto's ethos is tech for good. It helps enable people to access financial services that don’t always have traditional routes available to them. In this episode, Hilary speaks to Lauren Langton, Head of Advocacy at Incuto. They discuss:Incuto allows credit union members to join and apply for loans online.Partnerships with companies like TransUnion and ClearBank help Incuto expand its offering and reach more customersThe significant need for their services, with millions in the UK being turned down for loans by traditional banks.To learn more about SuperTech WM click here.To learn more about Incuto click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships. The number of Brits owning properties in Spain continues to rise according to recent data. But the process of holiday home ownership is complicated. One Birmingham-based business is working to address this. Bueno is a one-stop platform for property owners.In this episode, Hilary speaks to Felix Hughes of Bueno. They discuss:Bueno's strategic partnerships with 'banking as a service' providers, payment enablers, insurance companies, and home security enablers to offer a comprehensive financial ecosystemThe company has faced challenges in its first three years, including swapping out technology partners and navigating regulatory requirementsWhat the future holdsTo find out more about Bueno click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring the power of partnerships.For this episode, we hear from a Birmingham-based start-up that’s leveraged different types of partnerships to help it grow. Lexverify is an AI-powered risk management assistant that helps identify legal and compliance risks in emails and other electronic communications.Hilary is joined by Cristian Gherhes, the Founder and CEO of Lexverify. They spoke about:Early customers as partnersThe ethical issues of compliance tools and employeesInvestors and how their expertise it crucial to startups’ growthRaising seed funding of £900k To find out more about Lexverify click here.To find out more about SuperTech WM click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A West Midlands-based business aims to make owning a car much easier. In this episode of Beyond The Capital from SuperTech, Hilary speaks to Paul Jewell, the founder and CEO of CarCloud Community - an app that manages insurance, car finance, and key dates in one place. In this series of the podcast, we're talking about the power of partnerships. CarCloud's partnership with Reach Plc has helped it connect with a large audience through Reach's local news apps. Through this partnership, CarCloud reached more than 100,000 users and now has nearly £2 billion worth of cars on the platform. Hilary and Paul spoke about: How the partnership with Reach Plc helped CarCloud reach a larger audience to offer personalised news and car insurance optionsCarCloud's partnership with MoneySupermarketThe company's plans to expand in Europe To find out more about CarCloud click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships.How can an international bank tap into local tech talent and innovation in the West Midlands? To answer that question and learn more about its regional partnerships, Hilary is joined in this episode by Richard Newland, Chief Customer Officer, BNP Paribas Personal Finance. They discuss:BNP Paribas Personal Finance's involvement with The Innovation Lab - a fintech incubator programme in partnership with SuperTech and STEAMhouseHow collaboration helps BNP Paribas Personal Finance innovate, stay relevant and provide fresh ideasHow that innovation is crucial for delivering a great customer experience in a competitive banking industryBNP Paribas Personal Finance's partnership with charities and local organisations, including Teach First, The Canal & River Trust and the Solihull Business Improvement DistrictYou can find out more about The Innovation Lab here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a brand new series of Beyond the Capital from SuperTech, we're exploring the power of partnerships. In the first episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Indy Johal, COO and interim CEO of Advance Credit Union, to discuss how credit unions work and their role in building a more inclusive financial services sector. They also talk about the level of need for financial inclusion in Birmingham and the West Midlands, and the importance of partnerships in delivering on that need. Indy shares his vision for the future of Advance Credit Union and the credit union industry as a whole.They discuss:Credit unions are member-led organisations that provide lower interest rates and cater to vulnerable members of society.There is a high demand for financial inclusion in the region.Partnerships with community leaders, MPs, and event organisers are crucial for raising awareness and reaching out to members of the community.Technology plays a key role in improving the services and reach of credit unions.The credit union industry as a whole needs more recognition and support to be seen as a viable alternative to traditional banks.To find out more about Advance Credit Union click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond The Capital is back with a new series!This time, Hilary Smyth-Allen explores the power of partnerships and their crucial role in helping businesses flourish. She speaks to both big and small organisations about some of their most important partnerships.Beyond The Capital is the podcast series from SuperTech about the professional services tech scene outside London. It's presented by proftech champion Hilary Smyth-Allen. SuperTech is based in Birmingham, West Midlands, and it is the UK’s only professional services tech supercluster. You can find out more about SuperTech and its work in the region here.Follow Beyond The Capital on your favourite podcast app so you don't miss an episode. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hilary speaks to Ash Ali, entrepreneur and author of the book, The Unfair Advantage. Ash was the first marketing director of Just Eat and has helped launch numerous businesses, including his most recent venture, Uhubs.The Unfair Advantage explores how to capitalise on your differences and use them to your advantage. Ash talks about growing up in Birmingham, imposter syndrome, presentism, dealing with failure (and the mindset that helped overcome this) and how results speak for themselves. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hilary speaks to William Taaffe, Chief Operating Officer and Co-Founder of Lockdown Cyber Security. They discuss:Starting the company during the pandemic, targeting finance directors, how an early interest in computers and technology led to a career in cybersecurity and how many businesses still don’t fully appreciate the risks of cybercrime.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Hilary speaks to Mike Brooman, CEO of Vanti, a Birmingham-based smart buildings and technology company.They discuss the importance of ESB and becoming B Corp certified, the challenge of integrating multiple systems in smart buildings, how Covid-19 and homeworking changed the agenda for office space, how an office should be a cross between a bar and a library and Vanti’s future growth plans. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the episode, we hear from someone who’s looking to revolutionise the way digital skills are taught in schools. Tessy Mosindi, founder and CEO of Code Funhouse, talks to Hilary about how her work as a teacher has helped her set up her business. Code Funhouse is a platform that teaches kids coding. In this conversation, Tessy describes some of the challenges she has encountered as a tech entrepreneur including; the lack of a network, the funding gap for women and building confidence. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from Surayyah Ahmad Sani, the co-founder of Ethco. Surayyah’s career has spanned two countries on two different continents. She founded Ethco to help consumers access their ethnic groceries and to help small shop owners sell online.Surayyah talks about relocating to the UK from Nigeria, the challenges of being a female entrepreneur with children, how the risks can be greater for a woman if their business fails, the pressure not to talk about family/children as a female entrepreneur, and the funding gap for women, particularly black women. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, Mac Alonge, founder and CEO of The Equal Group tells Hilary what inspired him to start the business. The Equal Group is an equality, diversity and inclusion consultancy.They talk about: Mac’s 10-year career in the energy and utilities industry working in data and regulation, the transition from being an employee to a founder, work-life balance and flexible working.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

FutureMatch - a talent-hiring platform - was registered in February 2020, a few weeks before the country went into lockdown.In this episode of Beyond The Capital, Hilary speaks to FutureMatch's CEO and founder, Kufa Matiya about launching the company during the pandemic. He also talks about:Training as a chefLessons learnt from his previous start-upThe disconnect between schools and careersHow machine learning is used by the platformHis squiggly careerWhat 2023 holds for FutureMatch Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this new series of Beyond The Capital, we’re exploring how to deal with adversity. You’ll hear from entrepreneurs and business leaders about how they’ve overcome major challenges to build thriving businesses. In this episode, Matthew Adam, Chief Executive and Founder of We Are Digital, talks about the ups and downs of running the company he started in his bedroom 10 years ago. The Coventry-based social impact business has now grown to nearly 100 employees with an aim of £10 million in revenue this year. He tells Hilary:How his initial idea was to teach older people how to get How We Are Digital grew during Covid-19Why business is all about the people employedWhy it helps to be an optimistThis episode was recorded on 16th February. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Beyond The Capital from SuperTech is back with a new series for 2023. This time, we're exploring how to deal with adversity.  Entrepreneurs and business leaders speak to Hilary Smyth-Allen about how they’ve overcome major challenges including financial, personal or launching during a pandemic. You'll hear how they've made it through ups and downs to build thriving businesses.Beyond The Capital is a podcast series about the professional services tech scene outside of London.The first episode is out on 14th March. Follow us on Apple, Spotify, or your favourite podcast app.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year, the Commonwealth Games are coming to Birmingham.So to celebrate, we’re doing our own baton relay. We’re making virtual visits to as many of the Commonwealth countries as we can, and exploring their start-up and scale-up scenes.This is our last episode of the series. We’re hearing from two final Commonwealth countries: Singapore and South Africa. We’re going to find out about how they’ve become regional leaders in lawtech and fintech.Hilary spoke to: Lavina Ramkissoon, co-founder and vice-chair of the Fintech Association of South Africa to find out more about the country’s growing fintech ecosystem, how it fits into the wider African region and the big trends Lavina is seeing. Jennifer Lim co-founder and editor of Lawtech Asia, about Singapore’s role as a legal innovation hub, how government support helps the sector and how Covid accelerated digital dispute resolution. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this series, Beyond The Capital is celebrating the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham. We’re doing our own baton relay, exploring the start-up and scale-up scenes of as many Commonwealth countries as we can.The Global Talent Visa enables leaders and potential leaders to work in the UK. In this episode, Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to Josh Winfield, Global Talent Visa Lead at Tech Nation. They discuss:- How the Global Talent Visa enables leading tech talent to move to the UK.- Why the UK punches above its weight when it comes to attracting talent.- Why India, Nigeria and other Commonwealth countries are hotspots for developing tech talent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore the links between India and the West Midlands, hearing from two businesses that operate in both places. Hilary spoke to Ravi Ranjan, co-founder of Voilo, a fintech start-up that provides payments solutions for SMEs, and to Vik Tara, managing director and chief technology officer of Technology Blueprint, an established player in the proptech space. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from some of the innovative businesses involved in UK Research & Innovation’s Next Generation Services Challenge. The challenge has invested in projects that are using AI, data and digitisation to transform knowledge-based services, such as legal, accounting and insurance.This episode was recorded on location at the UKRI Next Generation Services Challenge National Showcase at the NEC. Hilary spoke to:Melanie Knetsch, UKRI NGS Deputy Challenge Director & Deputy Director: innovation & impact, ESRC: UKRIAnthony Peake, CEO, Intelligent AIShamus Rae, CEO, Engine B Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring the proptech scene in Australia and hearing from one Birmingham-based business that has recently expanded there.Shelli Trung is the Managing Partner at REACH Australia, a scale-up programme for real-estate companies wanting to expand globally. She explains how the country's proptech industry differs from other jurisdictions. Hilary speaks to Mike Bristow, CEO and co-founder of CrowdProperty, about the advantages of being based in the West Midlands and why launching in Australia made sense. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we hear from Bermuda. The island territory has established itself as a global leader for regulating digital asset businesses. Hilary spoke to Rachel Nightingale, Senior Counsel at the law firm Walkers Global.This episode was recorded on 9th February. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nigeria is our next port of call. This episode explores Lagos’ start-up and scale-up scene, the cultural differences between doing business in Britain and Nigeria and the opportunities for cross border expansion and partnerships.Hilary speaks to Birmingham-based Oyinkansola Adebayo, CEO & Founder of Niyo Enterprise and VC Scout for ADA Ventures, and to Lagos-based Faith Adesemowo, CEO of Social Lender, which enables people to borrow money based on their social media footprint. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Kicking off our virtual Commonwealth tour, we’re looking at no-code and low-code in Canada, the Caribbean and the UK.Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to: Chelsey Cabaj, a Canadian private investor involved in the introduction of no-code to Canada,  Sergio Pengel - the CEO of Piedata and co-founder of No Code Caribbean, Ali Kazmi, the UK-based founder of Ethical Equity, an investment platform that connects ethical start-ups and scale-ups with investors. SuperTech Seeds is a pre_accelerator leveraging the benefits of no_code for early-stage founders. Applications are open now:https://www.supertechwm.com/seeds Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this new series of Beyond the Capital, we're celebrating the Commonwealth Games coming to Birmingham. We'll be doing our own baton relay and making virtual visits to Commonwealth countries to explore their start-up and scale-up scenes.Beyond the Capital is the UK’s first podcast dedicated to showcasing professional services technology outside of London, brought to you by SuperTech. Each episode explores how ProfTech industries and professionals can thrive beyond the capital. Whether you’re part of a FinTech start-up, an established law firm, a policy-maker or a techy entrepreneur dabbling in real estate; this series is designed for anyone interested in the future of professional services and the role of technology.Hosted by regional Professional Services champion Hilary Smyth-Allen. Want to be part of the regional conversation? Get in touch: [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring how virtual reality and augmented reality are changing the professional services landscape. Hilary spoke to Spencer Welch, Commercial Director of Birmingham-based VR company Holosphere and Thomas Toomse-Smith, Head of Innovation and Digital (Regulatory Standards) at the Financial Reporting Council. To find out more about Holosphere's work, click here. To read the FRC Lab report on Virtual and Augmented Reality in corporate reporting, click here. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we explore Birmingham's growing clout on the international stage.We hear from two companies: one that was established in the West Midlands and now operates globally. The other started in Norway and recently opted to open an operations hub in Birmingham.Hilary spoke to Aaron Powers, co-founder and CEO of Hunit, the Software as a Service firm that allows lawyers to draft digital agreements using no-code. She also chatted to Chris Purdie, Chief Commercial officer of PM Connect, the payments business which has recently inked deals with the NBA and cloud gaming provider, RemoteMyApp.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the UK becoming a global fintech leader, this episode of Beyond The Capital explores how the regional scene is flourishing. It also examines the funding gap encountered by many fintechs on their growth journey. Hilary speaks to Michael Baptista, the founder of the venture capital firm Assembly Capital Partners, and Victoria Roberts, Director of the Fintech Delivery Panel at Tech Nation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this episode, we’re exploring the ethical challenges for the real estate sector when it comes to data collection. Hilary speaks to Dan Hughes, Founder of the Real Estate Data Foundation and Alpha Property Insight, to explore how the sector can successfully navigate the complexities of data collection, and examine the opportunities ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the world moves towards net-zero emissions, this episode explores how fintech businesses are contributing to this transition. We also examine why the UK is becoming a world leader in financial innovation and sustainable finance and how other countries are watching closely.Three fintech entrepreneurs discuss how their businesses are working towards a greener future. Presenter Hilary Smyth-Allen speaks to:Simon Healy, Chief Operating Officer of Ashman FinanceJoey Jones, Co-Founder of CurveBlockJulianne Sloane, Co-Founder of Nossa Data Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Diversity is a challenge for both the legal sector and the tech sector. But what about at their intersection, lawtech? What can companies do to encourage diversity and inclusion? To find out, Hilary spoke to Inez Brown, President of Birmingham Law Society and Partner at Harrison Clark Rickerbys; Joanna Goodman a journalist who writes about law and technology, and author of the book ‘Robots in Law: How Artificial Intelligence is Transforming Legal Services’; and to Professor Tim Vorley, Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Dean of Oxford Brookes Business School. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This episode explores the evolution of lawtech and its relationship with location and place. Hilary is joined by James Quinn, co-founder of Clarilis which is located in Leamington Spa, and Joshua Walker, author of the book: 'On Legal AI' and co-founder of Lex Machina and Stanford University's CodeX, based in Palo Alto, California. Both founders share their journey into lawtech and discuss the benefits of partnerships, communities and why the UK is fertile ground for start-ups in the sector. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.