Farewell Finastra

It’s been over three years since I joined the Finastra team - I've made new friends, played my part in transforming the company, learnt loads, but now it’s time for my next adventure.

So, what do I take with me?

1. The tone from the top sets the tune. Smart, "servant" leaders balance high aspirations for the company with a wider perspective of their societal responsibility. Simon Paris is such a leader and it's priceless in creating the right culture - and I learned so much from him.

2.??????When you’re transforming, the North Star must shine bright for all. During my time at Finastra, I saw one three-year strategic sprint end, with a top 200 all day brutally honest but celebratory end of term hits and misses assessment and three-year start - call Reach Beyond.

In 2018 it started with the idea that the future of finance is OPEN and by 2021 - aiming to be the orchestrator of OPENfinance in a world with over a billion people excluded from banking and many more underbanked. A years analysis to determine the right evolved strategy in a complex and changing financial service landscape, simply on a page. More interesting is the 30+ town halls and over 300 all employee workshops to help everyone in the company connect and find their personal story and connection to the purpose and mission.

3.??????Focus on building team health even when time is tight. It's teams that win and investing and role modelling that in the executive team and other senior teams is time and money well spent. Quarterly frank facilitated discussions with the Table Group and Lencioni approach - even at moments of high business priorities kept all pulling in the same direction, events and opportunities to get to know partners and kids really creating a tight community with personal connections.

4.??????Culture is defined by the company’s stand on the moments that matter. Whether its the war in Ukraine, Black Lives Matter, Asian Hate Crime, COVID ... we have taken an early visible position in and outside the company. Not having all the answers but showing our support and empathy.

5.??????Leave the place better than when you joined! I couldn’t be more proud of the transformative journey I’ve been on with Finastra. Productivity up, engagement up 40 points and diversity up (leaving with an executive team on track by October to have 50% women, 80% diverse and with 50% internal promotions)…My parting thoughts are:

• All good things come to an end. Be sure to leave things in good shape for your successor.
• Be forever an ambassador for the company and team you leave behind. ?
• Reflect on your learnings to improve yourself for your next opportunity

It’s been a privilege, and I know the best is still to come for this wonderful company, extraordinary CEO and amazing People and Places team. From the bottom of my heart, I wish everyone at Finastra an OPEN and bright future. Signing off a very big FRIEND of Finastra.