Chris Gledhill

Independent FinTech Advisor, Former Lloyds Banking Group Head of Innovation & Secco Aura Co-Founder

Chris Gledhill Biography:

Chris Gledhill is a globally recognised FinTech futurist, Independent FinTech Advisor, Futurist, Writer and Speaker, and former Head of Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group. Widely respected for his authority on digital banking, artificial intelligence and blockchain, Chris has built a reputation as one of the most influential voices shaping the future of financial services. As Co-Founder and CEO of Secco Aura, he challenged conventional banking models and championed a more inclusive, technology driven approach to finance.

Chris began his career after completing a Master of Computer Science at Loughborough University, building strong technical foundations in software engineering and systems architecture. Early roles at BAE Systems, Barclays, HM Revenue and Customs and the Department for Work and Pensions immersed him in complex data environments and large scale digital transformation. At Accenture and Tata Consultancy Services, he specialised in enterprise mobility and consumerisation, advising major organisations on mobile banking, cloud strategy and integration architecture. These formative experiences equipped Chris with both deep technical knowledge and commercial awareness, a combination that would define his later success in financial innovation.

His move into banking innovation marked a pivotal shift. At Lloyds Banking Group, Chris served as Innovation Technologist within the Digital Innovation and Payments team, producing more than 100 innovative ideas each year and contributing to a growing patent portfolio. His appointment as Head of Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group placed him at the centre of digital banking transformation, splitting time between London and Silicon Valley to explore emerging technologies. In 2016, he co founded Secco Aura, serving as Chief Executive Officer, with a mission to reinvent banking around character and accessibility rather than traditional credit metrics. Alongside his executive leadership, Chris authored ‘Consumerisation – The Enterprise Guide to BYOD’ and co authored ‘The FinTech Group’, cementing his position as a published authority on technology adoption and fintech evolution.

Why Hire Chris Gledhill?

Today, Chris is a sought after keynote speaker who translates complex technological change into clear, commercially relevant insight. He covers artificial intelligence, big data, biometrics, blockchain, cryptocurrencies, virtual reality and open banking, helping organisations understand both risk and opportunity. His style is direct, informed and forward thinking, grounded in real world experience at the highest levels of financial services. For audiences navigating digital disruption, Chris offers clarity, challenge and practical direction, making him a compelling choice for conferences, leadership forums and innovation summits.

Carmen Reinhart’s Career Highlights:

Here are some of the key milestones that define Carmen Reinhart’s remarkable career in economics:

• 2025 – Launched and hosts a global history channel as a TikTok Influencer
• 2023 – Completed PGCE in Computer Science at St Mary’s University, Twickenham
• 2021 – Co-authored ‘The FinTech Group’
• 2018 – Published ‘Consumerisation – The Enterprise Guide to BYOD’
• 2016 – Co-founded Secco Aura
• 2015 – Appointed Head of Innovation at Lloyds Banking Group