• Georgia Stewart, CEO and co-founder at Tumelo


• 08.03.2022 09:17 am

Financial IT: How would you define your role in fintech?

Georgia Stewart (GA): At its core, my role in fintech is to bring Tumelo’s vision to life: By 2030, every investor will be empowered to use their shareholder rights. 275 million investors hold £54 trillion in workplace pensions and investment products across the UK & the US. Most of their money is invested into funds. As a result, fund managers control majority stakes in the world’s most influential companies. These companies feel untouchable and yet we own them. Our shareholder ownership system is truly broken. And so, our mission at Tumelo is to enable investment platforms to empower investors, and to enable companies to listen to them.  

I am also a huge supporter of promoting more women in fintech. I’ve been involved with and supported by many different female-oriented organisations including 'Women in Ethics and Compliance' and 'Vestpod - Women & Money', as well as award bodies like Professional Pensions, who I have received awards in the Rising Star of the Year 2021, and Innovator of the Year 2020 categories, as well as Women in Finance Awards (Innovator of the Year (2021). 

There are also brilliant fintech women in my own team, in various roles, from engineering through to sales and to design. While striving for the vision, it’s also my role to lift them up, encourage them and provide a platform for them to grow and excel. 

Financial IT: Diversity and inclusivity are the main goals in a corporate environment. Is diversity in the fintech sector different from other areas that you worked in?

GA: I wouldn’t say diversity and inclusion is a goal in itself. I think it’s important we recognise that, in a corporate environment, we are trying to build the best teams with the best collection of complementary individuals to deliver on the company mission. Diversity and inclusion are really important to that end because this fosters a safer environment to work and be productive in, brings diversity of thought and experience and healthy debate. We are trying to build a team that can conquer every challenge, speak every language, and understand every user. We have an ambitious mission to change the world, so we hope to lead by example with a diverse and inclusive team that reflects the world we want to see and that will understand and empathise with our own diverse userbase. 

A recent Tech Nation report on diversity in UK tech companies revealed that 77% of tech director roles are filled by men and only 19% of the tech workforce are women. The issue is very much prevalent in fintech, but there are also some fantastic organisations that combat this. I personally have contributed to the Digital Her Project, 'Women Rock', Girl Geek Dinners, the Bristol Women in Business Charter and female coding groups. I am also a member of Ada and an advocate for inclusion in national tech groups in general. 

Financial IT: In your opinion, are there misconceptions and disbeliefs regarding the roles of female specialists in the fintech area?

GA: I can’t think of any misconceptions as such. Perhaps this might have been the case when fintech was a new industry – and because anything to do with “tech” historically resonated with men, seeing women be as brilliant as their male colleagues was slightly unusual. This, however, is not the case as there are many extremely talented women in this space who make equally significant contributions, and I for one is the biggest advocate of more female specialists in fintech.

Financial IT: What are the main obstacles and challenges on the career path for females in fintech?

GA: There is a wealth of opportunity in this industry for those that want to grab hold of it – women included. Of course, access is a barrier, which is something we should continue to strive to address and overcome in the hiring process. Once women are inside our business, supporting them so that they don’t feel “imposter syndrome” is critical. Companies need to support them to gain the skills they need to excel, if they don’t already have them, that is!

One big barrier that definitely exists is funding. More money needs to funnel into women-led fintechs, and the industry knows it, but change isn’t happening fast enough. There is a lot of mentoring available, but it’s the invested capital that will make the difference. That probably requires more women to be on the other side of the table – to have female angel investors and venture capitalists. It’s all connected! 

Financial IT: What is the one piece of advice you would give women wishing to start their path in fintech industry?

GA: I would say: be yourself and get on with it! Don’t be afraid to voice your opinion and be heard. If it’s hard on Zoom, try to attend those important meetings in person. be in person. If it’s not in person, then build a platform for yourself and for others to learn from – express your views in writing, become a thought leader, network and drive conversations on the right platforms. You shouldn’t really need to do anything differently from anyone else to excel here, but of course there are ways to make it easier for yourself! There are loads of fantastic communities for women in tech around the world, here you will realise you are far from alone in this space.

Financial IT: Do you have female role models? How did they shape your beliefs and perception?

GA: I’m incredibly fortunate to be surrounded by awesome women. I’m inspired by many other female fintech founders such as Jill Jackson, CEO of The Big Exchange, Felicia Hjertman, Founder and CEO of Tillit and Zara Nanu, CEO of GapSquare.

I’m also one of three girls, so my mum and sisters have always been a great support and driven me forwards. Then of course, all my girlfriends from school and university are totally killing it… many of them in finance!