Written by SWIFT

FinTech is revolutionising the financial services landscape at breakneck speed. It is a global phenomenon, with cities such as Paris, Singapore, Nairobi, Jerusalem and Sydney becoming FinTech hubs, and joining the established hotspots of London, San Francisco and New York.

And while technology and business models are changing fast, the issue of gender diversity – particularly at senior leadership levels – is still lagging behind.  A Financial News analysis of Dow Jones Venture Source and Factiva data reveals that, of the 20 European FinTech companies that received the largest venture capital investments in 2014, none had a female chief executive.

In early 2015, we partnered with SWIFT’s innovation arm, Innotribe and with Carlisle & Gallagher Consulting Group to research, write and publish findings on this topic in a new research paper: “The Power Women in FinTech Index, bridging the Gender Gap.”

The paper draws upon existing research to highlight the reality of today’s situation in FinTech, and it provides recommendations to achieve and accelerate greater gender balance within the industry.

The White Paper presents a global index of over 400 Power Women in FinTech. The index includes founders and women at various levels of management, commending the positive impact of those who are driving the FinTech ecosystem forward.

A selection of interviews and profiles sit alongside the index, highlighting and celebrating the success stories of just some of the inspiring women who are leading the way and serving as role models to others.

The White Paper serves as an eye-opener on the gender diversity gap, in advance of the debate that will continue at Sibos in Singapore, from 12-15 October. Diversity will be one of the main topics covered by the Innotribe@Sibos 2015 programme. A number of the inspirational leaders featured in the Power Women in FinTech index will be involved in Innotribe sessions to discuss the findings of the paper, and make sure the voice of women is heard.

The question for the FinTech community on gender diversity is ‘if not now, when?’