Build your Board Career in Fintech & Regulated Financial Services
Expert-led 10 hours On-Demand Course
The FINTECH Circle Board Programme is a finance- and fintech-specific course
designed to enable senior financial services professionals to build credible, paid portfolio careers as:
FINTECH Circle Board Programme 2026
What is Included in the Board Programme?
Join the Worlds 1st Fintech-focused Board Course
Get UK board-ready with the only board programme backed by top Headhunters and senior Fintech leaders
Get UK board-ready with the only board programme backed by top Headhunters and senior Fintech leaders
You’ll immediately gain access to:
- Watch 12+ Hours of Premium Board-Level Training- Available 24/7
- Complete 8 x Strategic Modules designed for Future Board Leaders
- Webinars: Fintech specific & Board Role focused
- Experience Live “Pop-Up Boards” & Real-World Role-Play Scenarios
- Enjoy Hybrid Learning. Both on and offline
- Connect With Senior Finance & Fintech Professionals
- Meet Leading Executive Search Firms & Top Headhunters
- Live CV Coaching
- Attend Exclusive VIP Networking & Leadership Events
- Professional Industry Networking
- Access Promotional Opportunities within The Community
- Events: Access the Annual Board & CEO Summit
Who should Join?
Former or current senior leaders across financial services and professional services with at least 15 years of experience transitioning away from full-time executive roles. The Course is ideal for those seeking portfolio careers and portfolio income, not “mentoring” or unpaid advisory work.
Combines:
- Strategic frameworks with practical guidance
- Real-world fintech case-studies
- Interviews with successful Board Members & Headhunters
- Personal introductions to Fintech CEOs, Board Members and Headhunters
FINTECH
CIRCLE
BOARD
Prgramme
All modules are designed to be completed in short, focused sessions.
Participating Headhunters
Course Lecturers include:
Patrick Dunne OBE
Experienced Chair & Board Member. Founder of Boardelta and author of award-winning “Boards”.
Boardelta
Ralph Grayson
Founder Partner at Ralph Grayson. Advisory board and board leadership specialist.
Sainty Hird & Partners
Susanne Chishti
Chair at FINTECH Circle, Advisory Board at Elevator Ventures, NED at Crown Agents Bank.
FINTECH Circle
Elevator Ventures
Ian Merricks
VenturePath, The ScaleUp Investment Platform, UK ScaleUp Investment Mission Patron.
Whitehorse Capital
Simon Poole
Non-Executive Director helping boards use AI responsibly and effectively.
Grounded Thinking
Charles McManus
Unicorn Council Co-Chair, Chairman, Strategic Board Adviser and Co-Founder & Board Director.
ClearBank
Board Lecturers from
Tier 1 - Online Curriculum
Six modules. Every door you need opened.
A fintech-specific curriculum covering board readiness, portfolio strategy, regulatory
accountability, AI literacy, and fundraising from seed to exit.
Module 1
Board Fundamentals
Led by
Patrick Dunne OBE
- Board overview
- Directors' duties in regulated sectors
- Role of Board vs Executive
- Sub-committees: Audit, Risk, Remuneration, Nomination
- Key roles: Chair, SID, NED, CEO, CFO
- Governance frameworks
Module 2
Portfolio Career Strategy
Led by
Ralph Gryson
- Advisory vs NED vs Fractional roles
- Working with founders vs CEOs
- Listed board dynamics
- Career progression: Advisor NED Chair
- Coaching importance
- Income mix & portfolio structuring
Module 3
Fintech Advisory & NED Landscape
Led by
Susanne Chishti
- Fintech market dynamics
- Positioning & credibility
- Commercial structuring (fees, equity)
- Case studies
Module 4
Fundraising Journey
Led by
Ian Merricks
- Capital raising stages
- Founder pressures
- Round execution strategies
- Board advisor role in fundraising
Module 5
Regulatory Accountability
Led by
Hyder Jumabhoy
- FCA & PRA governance expectations
- Senior Managers & Certification Regime (SMCR)
- Fiduciary, reputational, and personal risk exposure
- Importance of D&O insurance
AI for Board Members
AI for Board Members
Led by
Simon Poole
- AI strategy and data foundations
- Opportunities and risks of agentic AI
- The board's role in AI-driven transformation
- AI regulation in financial services
|
FINTECH Circle Board
Programme Features & Benefits
|
TIER 1
Digital
£999
incl. VAT · Online Only
For the board-curious
|
TIER 2
Flagship
£2,950
incl. VAT · 3 months
Our core board programme
|
TIER 3
Elite
£7,200
incl. VAT · 3 months
Maximum placement power
|
|---|---|---|---|
| Features included | 8 features | 19 features | 29 features |
| 1 · Format & Access | |||
| Online on-demand course 12 hours · self-paced | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| 1 year content access | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly live webinar NEDs, Chairs & headhunters | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Monthly Pop-Up Board Live fintech CEOs | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| In-person London events | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| 3 extra Board webinars | — | — | ✓ |
| 3 extra Pop-Up Boards | — | — | ✓ |
| Build your own AI Board Agent Half-Day Workshop Create your personal Board Digital Twin & Productivity Assistant safely | — | — | ✓ |
| VIP Dinner at Annual Board & CEO Summit in London | — | — | ✓ |
| 2 · Cohort & Selection | |||
| Open / unlimited enrolment | ✓ | — | — |
| Selective admission Max 25 members · Application required | — | ✓ | — |
| Highly selective Max 15 members · Application + interview required | — | — | ✓ |
| 3 · Cohort Frequency | |||
| Always-on rolling access Enrol any time · immediate start | ✓ | — | — |
| Up to 10 cohorts per year | — | ✓ | — |
| 3 cohorts per year Spring · Summer · Autumn | — | — | ✓ |
| 4 · Headhunter & Placement Access | |||
| 7 Headhunters in online course Audeliss · Teneo · Warren Partners · Russell Reynolds · Norman Broadbent · Sapphire Partners · Miles Advisory | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Live NED CV Clinic Warren Partners · group session | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Routes to NED appointments session | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| First-time NED success session | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Private Board Career Review (2 hrs) 1-to-1 with Susanne Chishti | — | — | ✓ |
| Private Interview Practise (2 hrs) 1-to-1 with Headhunter | — | — | ✓ |
| Private Board Coaching (2 hrs) 1-to-1 with Certified Coach | — | — | ✓ |
| 5 · Personal Introductions | |||
| Opportunity-driven introductions Via cohort events | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Guaranteed 3 personal introductions to Chairs & CEOs | — | — | ✓ |
| Exclusive invite to FINTECH Circle Investor Network & introductions | — | — | ✓ |
| 6 · Access to CEO Network | |||
| Direct CEO interaction at Pop-Up Boards | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Bi-annual Investor Network events City of London | — | — | ✓ |
| Pre-event intro to 3 fintech CEOs Personally arranged by Susanne Chishti | — | — | ✓ |
| VIP Dinner · Annual Board & CEO Summit | — | — | ✓ |
| 7 · FINTECH Circle Marketing Support | |||
| Personal Social Media Card for LinkedIn | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Written interview published FINTECH Circle LinkedIn + website · 180,000+ community | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Video interview published FINTECH Circle LinkedIn | — | — | ✓ |
| Permanent listing in Board Member Directory Visible to CEOs & Chairs seeking NEDs | — | — | ✓ |
| 8 · FINTECH Circle Community Access | |||
| FINTECH Circle newsletter | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Full 260,000+ global community access | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| WhatsApp peer network Real-time board support & insights | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Post-programme community access Tier 2: 3 months · 12 months priority (Tier 3) | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Permanent alumni status Annual Elite mentorship · First refusal on board roles | — | — | ✓ |
| 9 · Certificate & Post-Programme | |||
| Certificate of Completion | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| CPD-eligible hours (from Nov onwards) | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
| Formal CPD hours log on completion | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| SMCR/FCA-aligned CPD certificate Verified hours for regulated firm CPD logs | — | ✓ | ✓ |
| Optional reference from Susanne Chishti, Chair Board Programme For board applications, reference requests | — | — | ✓ |
| 10 · Corporate Sponsorship (Tier 3 only) | |||
| Group pricing for 3+ employees £5,500 + VAT per person | — | — | ✓ |
| Bespoke corporate onboarding Aligned to board succession objectives | — | — | ✓ |
| Post-programme CPD report Progress · achievement · next steps | — | — | ✓ |
| SMCR/SMF CPD mapping Suitable for Senior Managers' CPD logs | — | — | ✓ |
| Corporate reference letter | — | — | ✓ |
| Best for: Choose the tier that matches your experience and ambition | Financial services professionals exploring a board career for the first time | Senior executives pursuing their first or next fintech board seat — min. 15 years senior financial services experience | C-suite / MD-level or corporates sponsoring employees with 20+ years finance expertise |
Experience a Fintech Pop Up Board
What makes the FINTECH Circle Board Programme different is the unique combination of both Virtual learning and also real-world application.
As well as 12+ hours of Video learning, delivered by senior Industry professionals, board members are invited to join live “Pop-Up Boards” and interactive role-play sessions designed to simulate genuine boardroom discussions and decision-making environments.
These sessions help you to develop the confidence, communication skills, and strategic mindset expected from modern board directors, while allowing you to learn directly from experienced professionals and peers within the Fintech industry.
As well as 12+ hours of Video learning, delivered by senior Industry professionals, board members are invited to join live “Pop-Up Boards” and interactive role-play sessions designed to simulate genuine boardroom discussions and decision-making environments.
These sessions help you to develop the confidence, communication skills, and strategic mindset expected from modern board directors, while allowing you to learn directly from experienced professionals and peers within the Fintech industry.
Board Lecturers from
Get FINTECH BOARD Ready
Join Fintech-Specific Webinars Focused On Real Boardroom Challenges
Benefit From Hybrid Learning — Online Flexibility + In-Person Experiences
Connect With Senior Finance &
Fintech Professionals
Receive Live CV & Board
Positioning Coaching
Positioning Coaching
Attend Exclusive VIP Networking &
Leadership Events
Leadership Events
Build Powerful Industry Relationships
That Open Doors
That Open Doors
Access Promotional Opportunities
Within The Community
Within The Community
Gain Entry To The Annual Board &
CEO Summit
CEO Summit
Learn What Boards Actually Look For In Modern Non-Executive Directors
Develop The Confidence To Contribute
At Board Level
At Board Level
Position Yourself As A Credible,
Board-Ready Leader
Board-Ready Leader
Surround Yourself With High-Level Decision Makers & Influential Executives
Course Materials include:
Boards: A Practical Perspective
by Patrick Dunne
(Module 1)
FinTech for Dummies
by Steven O’Hanlon and Susanne Chishti
(Module 3)
Testimonials
What our members say.
“FINTECH Circle helped us fill two
strategic NED roles, one of whom was
also instrumental in closing our last
funding round. The introductions have
added immense value and helped
accelerate Aventur’s growth and
valuation significantly.”
Stacey Body
Co-Founder & CEO, Aventur
“FINTECH Circle is a very valuable network of exceptional finance and technology professionals. I am delighted that I found my NED role via an introduction through FINTECH Circle.”
Sonja Lang
NED Aventur · CEO, Mindful Clarity
“I’ve joined the Board Programme to step up and serve better, both my career and our industry. Susanne Chishti and FINTECH Circle thank you for accepting me in your programme!”
Monica Millares
Chief Product Officer at Purpose Driven Fintech and Advisory Board Member and Product, Strategy & Commercial Operator in B2C Fintech
Get Board Ready with the World 1st Fintech Focused Board Programme
- Online Access to all Course Materials for 1 year
-
Top 10 Tips for writing your Board CV in
Finance & Fintech
-
First year Membership of the FINTECH
Circle Board Group
- Guide to how to find your 1st Board Role in this sector
- Career Advice from top Industry head-hunters including Audeliss, Miles Advisory, Norman Broadbent, Sapphire Partners, Teneo, Warren Partners
-
Join the private FINTECH Circle Board WhatsApp Group
for peer-to-peer networking and support
Programme Includes
Monthly Live Webinars
Every month we hold live webinars on Topics such as:
Webinar: Changing your Mindset from Executive to
Non-Executive: what interviewers look for and how to prepare
Non-Executive: what interviewers look for and how to prepare
Webinar: Building a high-impact NED CV for fintech board roles,
with Warren Partners
WORLD'S FIRST · LIVE
FINTECH Pop-up Boards
Live · curated · real companies
Attend LIVE on our Pop-up Boards. You’ll receive board materials in advance and participate just as a genuine board member would.
Recent example
Fintech Scale up Serene
Serene’s mission is to become the infrastructure for financial care: empowering banks, lenders, and fintechs to deliver better outcomes for every customer by seeing risk earlier and preventing harm.
“That was incredible! I am looking forward to connecting with everyone after this board session.”
CEO of Serene who hosted FINTECH Pop-Up Board in 2026
20 Reasons to Join the FINTECH Circle Board Programme
The only board education programme built exclusively for fintech and regulated financial services
REAL BOARD PRACTICE — BEFORE YOU HAVE A BOARD ROLE
1.
Pop-Up Boards with named fintech CEOs
Receive real board papers in advance, contribute to live strategic decisions
2.
Boards chaired by FTSE-level Chairs & Investors
Demonstrate your board contribution directly to the people who hire or recommend NEDs
ACTIVE PLACEMENT ARCHITECTURE
3.
Guaranteed 3 personal introductions from Susanne Chishti
Direct to Chairs, NEDs and fintech CEOs who are actively building boards
4.
Private Board Career Review (2 hrs) with Susanne Chishti
Personal career review, board positioning strategy and recommendations to enhance your Board CV
5.
Private Interview Practice (2 hrs) with a specialist board headhunter
Rehearse board-level interviews with the professionals who run the searches. Sharpen your Board CV as result.
6.
Private Board Coaching (2 hrs) with a certified executive coach
1-to-1 coaching to improve your board presence, narrative and stakeholder management
7.
Embedded access to 7 leading board headhunter firms
Audeliss Terco · Warren Partners · Russell Reynolds · Norman Broadbent · Sapphire Partners · Miles Advisory — in the online course
8.
Live NED CV Clinic with Warren Partners
Your NED CV is fundamentally different from your executive CV — get it right with the specialists
FINTECH & REGULATED FINANCIAL SERVICES SPECIALISM
9.
The only board programme built exclusively for fintech & regulated financial services
Every module, speaker and Pop-Up Board is sector-specific — not generic governance theory
10.
12-hour on-demand course with 4 hours of direct headhunter insight
Learn exactly how board searches are conducted and how to get onto the right radars
11.
FCA/PRA board obligations, SMCR and Consumer Duty deep-dives
Regulatory content you will not find in any other board education programme
NETWORK & COMMUNITY REACH
12.
Access to the FINTECH Circle global community of 260,000+ professionals
Investors, CEOs, Chairs and NEDs across 107 countries — the largest fintech community globally
13.
FINTECH Circle Investor Network events (City of London)
Normally restricted to investors — Tier 3 members attend with structured CEO introductions pre-arranged
14.
WhatsApp peer network with cohort and programme faculty
Real-time board and regulatory updates and events
PERSONAL MARKETING & VISIBILITY
15.
Written & video interview published to 260,000+ fintech professionals
FINTECH Circle LinkedIn and newsletters — reaching the exact audience that hires fintech NEDs
16.
Permanent listing in the FINTECH Circle Board Member Directory
Visible to fintech CEOs and Chairs actively seeking NEDs — ongoing after programme completion
17.
Personal Social Media Card for LinkedIn positioning
Professional board-readiness profile distributed across the FINTECH Circle network
INNOVATION & FUTURE-READINESS
18.
Hands-on AI for Board Members – Half-Day Workshop
Build your Personal Board Digital Twin and AI Assistant safely — the only programme offering this
CREDENTIALS & CORPORATE VALUE
19.
SMCR/FCA-aligned CPD certificate with verified hours
Formally logged CPD suitable for Senior Managers' regulated firm requirements from November 2026
20.
Optional personal reference from Susanne Chishti for board applications
Endorsement from one of the most connected figures in global fintech — included in programme fee
Tier key:
All Tiers
Tier 2 & 3
Elite Only
·
Pricing valid from 1 July 2026
·
webinar.fintechcircle.com/application
What You Get
Annual Board & CEO Summit
16 November 2026, City of London
Network at our VIP Board & CEO Summit. Members are invited to our exclusive, in-person gathering of fintech CEOs and the leading board headhunters in financial services.
Not open to the public — reserved for programme members only.
Not open to the public — reserved for programme members only.
Private Peer Network
Gain direct access to a curated group of fellow senior professionals and programme faculty — for ongoing exchange, deal flow, introductions, and opportunities.
Your Personal
Marketing Profile
We will interview you and publish both a written profile and a video interview, positioning your expertise and governance credentials — distributed to our community of 260,000 fintech professionals via LinkedIn and our monthly newsletter.
This alone is the kind of visibility that takes years to build independently
This alone is the kind of visibility that takes years to build independently
Access to Board
Whats App Group
All our cohort members will have access to fellow members and our lecturers, providing ongoing peer-to-peer networking and a confidential space to ask questions and discuss important board challenges.
Become Board Certified
Upon completion of all 8 Modules you will receive the FINTECH Circle Board Certificate.
Personal Career Coaching & NED CV Review with Headhunter
Work with your own certified Coach to improve your board performance and get honest feedback from headhunters to enhance your own Board CV
Private Interview Practise & Access to CEO Network
As part of Tier 3 you will spend time with a top UK headhunter to practise your interview style while FINTECH Circle will help you grow your Fintech CEO Network.
Who this Course is Perfect for?
The Programme is designed for:
- Senior leaders from banking, insurance, asset management, payments and fintech
- Former or current partners from consulting and audit
- Experienced fractional executives
- Board advisors and NEDs expanding into fintech
- Coaches with proven experience in regulated environments
It is NOT Designed for:
- Early-career professionals
- Sectors outside of finance and technology
What you'll leave with
A defensible, paid
portfolio career.
01
A defensible portfolio-career strategy
02
Clear role boundaries and practical knowledge
03
Confidence to spot where you add most value across sectors and company stages
04
Long-term credibility — and a measurable lift in interview success
The difference
What makes this
programme different.
Unlike generic portfolio or board programmes, this one:
Focuses on regulated financial
services only
services only
Covers fractional, advisory, NED and
Chair roles together
Chair roles together
Includes personal career tips by top
industry headhunters
industry headhunters
Emphasises judgement, boundaries
and downside risk
and downside risk
Reflects how regulators actually
interpret behaviour
interpret behaviour
Is grounded in real fintech scenarios
The FINTECH Circle Board Programme
What is Included in the Board Course?
Join the Worlds 1st Fintech-focused Board Course
Get UK board-ready with the only board programme backed by top Headhunters and senior Fintech leaders
Get UK board-ready with the only board programme backed by top Headhunters and senior Fintech leaders
You’ll immediately gain access to:
- Watch 12+ Hours of Premium Board-Level Training- Available 24/7
- Complete 8 x Strategic Modules designed for Future Board Leaders
- Webinars: Fintech specific & Board Role focused
- Experience Live “Pop-Up Boards” & Real-World Role-Play Scenarios
- Enjoy Hybrid Learning. Both on and offline
- Connect With Senior Finance & Fintech Professionals
- Meet Leading Executive Search Firms & Top Headhunters
- Live CV Coaching
- Attend Exclusive VIP Networking & Leadership Events
- Professional Industry Networking
- Access Promotional Opportunities within The Community
- Events: Access the Annual Board & CEO Summit
FAQ
Who is this programme designed for?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Is this programme suitable if I already sit on boards or act as a NED?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
What will I learn?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Does this programme guarantee board or advisory roles?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
How long does the programme take to complete?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
Is the programme accredited for CPD?
Lorem Ipsum is simply dummy text of the printing and typesetting industry. Lorem Ipsum has been the industry’s standard dummy text ever since the 1500s, when an unknown printer took a galley of type and scrambled it to make a type specimen book. It has survived not only five centuries, but also the leap into electronic typesetting, remaining essentially unchanged. It was popularised in the 1960s with the release of Letraset sheets containing Lorem Ipsum passages, and more recently with desktop publishing software like Aldus PageMaker including versions of Lorem Ipsum.
If you have any questions, book a private consultation.
Book your 15 minute Consultation
Choose how you’d like to connect with the FINTECH Circle Advisor
(No obligation. No pressure.)