About us
Our Story
The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) was created as a key recommendation of the Kalifa Review of UK Fintech in 2021.
Our purpose is to ensure the UK can be a leader not only for fintech start-ups, but also the best place in the world to scale a business and take solutions from IP creation through to widespread adoption.
Achieving our goals will solidify the UK as the global leader for fintech innovation, positioning our economy for sustained success and growth. Our key priorities are:
- Driving high-skilled job creation across the UK
- Delivering better financial outcomes for consumers and SMEs
- Providing industry context/insight for pre-product development
- Building partnerships between start-ups and incumbents
- Facilitating data sharing
- Enabling proof of concepts to be scaled
Ezechi Britton MBE,
CEO of CFIT
As a serial tech entrepreneur, Ez’s journey has taken him from Software Developer to Co-Founder and CTO to a Venture Capital Partner. Ez previously worked as the Principal and CTO in Residence at Impact X Capital Partners LLP, a venture fund focused on supporting underrepresented entrepreneurs. Ez also co-founded Code Untapped, a digital skills accelerator that helps companies find innovative-led solutions by providing them with access to a pool of diverse and underrepresented technologists. Ez’s work in providing opportunities for underrepresented communities saw him awarded an MBE for services to diversity and to young people in the New Year’s Honours List 2022.
Ez also co-founded Neyber, a multi-award-winning fintech firm focused on financial well-being, where he helped launch the company as the founding CTO and held numerous roles during his tenure, including brand ambassador and NED. Amongst other work, Ez is also a Trustee to the board of Crisis, which invests in, supports and creates ventures to end homelessness.
Charlotte Crosswell OBE,
Chair of CFIT
Charlotte has been involved in capital markets, fintech and technology throughout her career – as CEO, Chair, Board Advisor and Non-Executive Director. Prior to CFIT, Charlotte was Chair and Trustee of Open Banking and was also CEO of the fintech industry body, Innovate Finance. In this role, she supported the work of Ron Kalifa in delivering the strategic fintech review (The Kalifa Review).
She works closely with entrepreneurs, financial services firms, academia, government and regulators on fintech advocacy and strategy. Charlotte received an OBE for her contribution to financial services in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021. She believes firmly in a diversity and innovation-first approach.
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