S1E4:Stephen Ingledew on Building One of the UK’s Most Respected Fintech Ecosystems (And What It Really Takes to Lead With Purpose)

A Class Act: Conversations in Data and Leadership

What does it really take to lead change not just in your company, but across an entire industry?

In this episode of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership, Michael Young speaks with Stephen Ingledew, Chair of FinTech Scotland and a driving force behind one of the UK’s most respected fintech ecosystems.

Stephen shares his 40+ year journey through financial services from traditional corporate roles to building a 250+ firm innovation cluster.

Along the way, he unpacks what leadership means in complex environments, why purpose must be your anchor, and how lasting impact often comes from stepping back, not stepping up.

In this episode, you’ll hear:

• How Stephen helped scale FinTech Scotland from 26 to over 250 firms and what made it work
• Why “you don’t need another player kicking the ball… you need a coach on the sidelines” might be the most important leadership lesson in 2025
• How to lead with clarity, adaptability, and inclusion
• The leadership “golf club” mindset and why you can’t use one style for every challenge
• How Stephen hopes to leave a legacy of inclusion, innovation and purpose
  
  

Whether you're leading data and AI teams, scaling fintech, or building capability in a fast-changing landscape, this conversation is packed with real, experience-led insight.

Connect with Stephen Ingledew: LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-ingledew-obe-a444a92/

About Your Host: Michael Young is the Managing Director of MBN Solutions and host of A Class Act: Conversations in Data & Leadership. With nearly two decades of experience helping organisations build high-performing data, analytics, and AI teams, he brings frontline insight into what makes exceptional talent and leadership.

Please note: The views expressed by Stephen Ingledew in this episode are his own and do not reflect those of his current or former employers.

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