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You and Yours: Gap Finders - Anne Boden

14/04/2022

Gap Finders - Anne Boden

BBC Radio 4 - You and Yours, Gap Finders - Anne Boden

Gap Finders: We explore how computer scientist and banker Anne Boden found the gap in the banking world by developing new technology to form Starling Bank.

Today's guest is the computer scientist and founder of Starling Bank, Anne Boden..

Anne has worked in the finance industry for more than forty years and has become known for her approach to developing new banking technology and her desire to prove people wrong.

The daughter of a steelworker and a department store assistant from Bonymaen in Swansea, Anne Boden had a fairly ordinary childhood. As a pupil at Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive, Anne was good at sciences and went on to study chemistry and computer sciences at the local university. That interest in technology was been a key driver throughout her career, which started at Lloyds Bank in London in 1981.

A turning point was the 2008 banking crisis when embarrassment about her job and a desire for change led to her rethinking her future career plans and in 2014 formed Starling Bank. Starling is digital-only, with customers using the app, with data and analytics to help them keep across transactions and manage different areas of their personal finances.

Following major investment, the bank has continued to grow, reporting in excess of 2.14 million customers, breaking even for the month of October 2020 and has recorded a profit every month since then.

We explore the ways in which Anne wanted to disrupt the banking industry and the hopes she has for the future of Starling Bank.

PRESENTER: WINIFRED ROBINSON

PRODUCER: LINDA WALKER

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