10am – 12pm3 February 2026
10 St Bride Street, London
techUK
Scaling in... is a event series designed to help techUK SME members explore new industries and markets. Each session focuses on a specific sector, providing insights into opportunities, challenges, and practical steps for successfully selling into that market.
The UK’s financial services industry is one of the most competitive and internationally connected in the world, anchored by London as a leading global financial centre and supported by thriving regional hubs in cities like Edinburgh, Manchester, and Leeds. The sector makes a major contribution to the UK economy, generating around £280 billion in economic output (12–13% of GVA), employing nearly 2.5 million people across the country, and delivering a significant trade surplus that underpins the UK’s global economic influence.
The financial services sector offers a major growth opportunity for UK tech firms as one of the country’s largest and most innovation-driven industries, with significant budgets dedicated to digital transformation. Banks, insurers, and asset managers are seeking new technologies to modernise legacy systems, improve customer experience, strengthen security, and meet regulatory requirements—areas where UK tech excels. With London as a global financial centre and a thriving fintech ecosystem supported by progressive regulators, the sector provides a springboard for UK firms to scale, build credibility, and access international markets.
Join us for this in-person event to gain the insights, connections, and strategies you need to successfully engage with banks, insurers, asset managers, and other financial institutions.
This interactive session will explore:
How the financial services sector is evolving and where technology is driving transformation.
The key challenges financial services firms face—and how tech solutions can address them.
Practical advice on navigating procurement, compliance, and partnership models.
Opportunities for SMEs and scaling tech companies to position themselves as trusted partners.
Whether you’re already working with financial services firms or looking to enter the market, this event will help you understand the sector’s needs and connect with the right opportunities to grow.
Speakers
Michelle McAllister
Economic Crime Prevention Lab Product Owner, Lloyds Banking Group
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie Barr
Programme Manager, SME Engagement and Nations & Regions, techUK
Stephanie is the Programme Manager for SME Engagement and Nations & Regions at techUK.
Working across the two programmes, Stephanie develops activities to support the growth and development of tech SMEs and engages with members and stakeholders more broadly to help strengthen regional tech economies.
Prior to joining techUK, Stephanie worked for a political events company and as a Senior Caseworker for an MP. She holds an MA (HONS) in Politics from the University of Glasgow.
Outside of work, Stephanie enjoys travelling, climbing and playing squash.
James leads our financial services programme of activity. He works closely with member firms from across the sector to ensure innovation and technology are fully harnessed and embraced by both industry and regulators.
Prior to joining us James worked at other business organisations including TheCityUK and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in roles focused on supporting the financial & related professional services eco-system, with a particular focus on financial technology and market infrastructure.
Ed is Head of SME Engagement and is responsible for shaping techUK’s proposition to our SMEs across the country, ensuring our policy work, market access activity and services benefit the SME community.
Prior to working at techUK, Ed worked in the at the Department for International Trade, engaging with a variety of businesses, particularly SMEs, to understand the benefits of Free Trade Agreements and act as case studies in press and social media. Ed has also worked in policy and public affairs within the voluntary sector, namely the Alzheimer’s Society and the Men’s Health Forum.
Ed holds a MA in International Relations from Leiden University, and in his spare time enjoys spending time with his son, travelling, and visiting historical sites.
The techUK Financial Services programme connects tech firms, the FS industry, and regulators to ensure innovation and technology can be fully embraced. Through market engagement activities and events, we help to empower decision makers and aid collaboration.
Our members develop strong networks, build meaningful partnerships and grow their businesses as we all work together to create a thriving environment where industry, government and stakeholders come together to realise the positive outcomes tech can deliver.
James leads our financial services programme of activity. He works closely with member firms from across the sector to ensure innovation and technology are fully harnessed and embraced by both industry and regulators.
Prior to joining us James worked at other business organisations including TheCityUK and the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) in roles focused on supporting the financial & related professional services eco-system, with a particular focus on financial technology and market infrastructure.
Programme Assistant, Data Centres, Climate, Environment and Sustainability, Market Access, techUK
Lucas Banach is Programme Assistant at techUK, he works on a range of programmes including Data Centres; Climate, Environment & Sustainability; Market Access and Smart Infrastructure and Systems.
Before that Lucas who joined in 2008, held various roles in our organisation, which included his role as Office Executive, Groups and Concept Viability Administrator, and most recently he worked as Programme Executive for Public Sector. He has a postgraduate degree in International Relations from the Andrzej Frycz-Modrzewski Cracow University.
Economic Crime Prevention Lab Product Owner, Lloyds Banking Group
Michelle is a passionate, people-first leader who embraces boldness in every aspect of her work. Her boundless energy is driven by a relentless commitment to protecting customers, particularly in the detection and prevention of fraud and money laundering. With deep industry knowledge and extensive experience, Michelle is a formidable force in the field.
A naturally curious leader, Michelle prioritises learning and growth, viewing them as the cornerstones of innovation and improvement. She effortlessly creates environments enriched with agility, fostering a culture where ambitious transformations are not only possible but expected. Michelle's leadership style is characterised by her ability to inspire and empower her team, ensuring they are always equipped to tackle new challenges and achieve remarkable results.
