FinTech Leader Monica Kalia recognised as the Top Asian in UK Tech sector
FinTech Leader Monica Kalia, the Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer at financial wellbeing provider Neyber, was last night (4th June 2018) honoured with the Chairman’s Award at the launch of the official list of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2018. She was presented the award by the Chairman Diversity UK, Dilip Joshi MBE and sponsors Bina Mehta, Partner at KPMG; Anil Bhanot OBE, Chairman of the Ethnic Minority Foundation and Lopa Patel MBE, Founder & CEO of NewAsianPost.com. The list celebrates diversity in the digital sector with a focus on disruptive technologies.
Dilip Joshi MBE, Chairman of Diversity UK said: “In a rush to adopt the latest in technology, whether that is artificial intelligence, deep learning, blockchain or cryptocurrency, what is often forgotten is the people who will benefit from it – us, the consumer. Diversity UK is a think tank focused on equality and inclusion. Indeed, we started the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list to create a platform to celebrate companies and individuals who embody the spirit of our endeavours. Neyber, a multi-award-winning financial wellbeing provider, is about access to fair finance for millions of UK employees delivered in an ethical and sustainable way. This year’s Chairman’s Award winner, Monica Kalia, who Co-founded the company and serves as its Chief Strategy Officer, is recognised for her Outstanding Contribution to FinTech.”
In her acceptance speech, Monica Kalia said, “It’s a real honour to be part of the 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2018 and I am humbled to be awarded the prestigious Chairman’s award. Technology is fast changing the landscape in financial services and it is important that as we disrupt we seek to include. When my fellow co-founders and I started Neyber 4 years ago, we wanted to design a solution that offered a fairer, and more financially inclusive offering into society. Our best chance of creating products and services that meet the needs of a diverse population is if our organisation reflects that diversity. Diversity and inclusion is simply part of our DNA at Neyber.”
The official list of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2018 was launched on June 4th by Diversity UK in association with the Ethnic Minority Foundation (EMF), KPMG and NewAsianPost.com and hosted at KPMG, Number Twenty Grosvenor Street, Mayfair, London. Previous Chairman’s Award winners include Dinesh Dhamija, Chairman of Copper Beech Group and previously Founder of ebookers who was recognised in 2015; Shankar Narayanan, Head of UK & Ireland for Tata Consultancy Services who received the award in 2016 and VR evangelist and surgeon Professor Shafi Ahmed, Chief Medical Officer at Medical Realities, who received the award in 2017.
By highlighting the ground-breaking business models, apps, funding and support networks being created by Asian digital entrepreneurs, the list addresses the perceived lack of diversity in the tech sector and showcases the wealth of talent that is currently growing the British tech scene. The evening also saw a panel of judges selecting the top five Asians in the UK involved in business, the creative industries, investors, startups and women.
Bina Mehta, KPMG Partner leading engagement with the new generation of Asians added : “Technology startups are using innovation to disrupt the business landscape in almost every sector, challenging existing business models and driving change particularly in consumer behaviour. As an important creator of wealth and jobs, the tech sector in the UK continues to lead the way above other global ecosystems as being more ethnically diverse and it is important to celebrate this fact. Innovation and diversity are a key elements KPMG’s work with the business community and it is important that we shine a spotlight on the achievements of Asian entrepreneurs and leaders in the tech sector and the vital job they do as role models to the younger generation in the UK. We are very proud to be associated with the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech and congratulate all of the outstanding individuals who have been recognised for their roles as leaders and innovators.”
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list, NewAsianPost.com and Diversity UK are the brainchild of the digital entrepreneur Lopa Patel MBE who has long been recognised as an evangelist for STEM and the tech industries in the UK.
About Monica Kalia
Co-Founder & Chief Strategy Officer – Neyber
Monica Kalia is the Co-Founder and Chief Strategy Officer of Neyber, a multi-award-winning financial wellbeing provider that helps UK employees to be better with their money. It has lent in excess of £100 million and is now available to a million employees across the UK. Neyber has been awarded ‘Ethical Financial Services Provider of the Year’ accolade at the Money Age Awards and won ‘Benefits Innovation of the Year’ at the Workplace Savings and Benefits Awards in both 2016 and 2017. Neyber was also rated in 2017 as being one of the hundred leading global Fintech companies by KPMG, in its yearly global assessment of the sector.
Monica is a highly accomplished senior executive with over 20 years’ experience within the financial services sector who formerly ran the European bank’s equity research team at Goldman Sachs. She is listed amongst the most influential women in Fintech by the Innovate Finances 2017 Women in Fintech Power List. In addition to this Monica is a member of the Board of Trustees for the UK’s leading debt charity (StepChange), sits on the Strategy Group for the UK Fintech Sector Trade Body (Innovate Finance), sits on the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) Financial Services Council and advises the Government on Fintech Policy through her membership of the Department for International Trade’s Fintech Trade and Investment Steering Group.She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Finance from LSE and a CPE in Law from the College of Law, Guildford.
About Asians in Tech
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech is the definitive list of Asians working in the digital and technology sectors in Britain. The aim of the list is to showcase diverse talent; from startup founders, technologists, venture capitalists and investors; to the game changers and digital influencers in business and social enterprise.
https://asiansintech.com | @asiansintech
About Diversity UK
Diversity UK is a think tank to research, advocate and promote ideas for improving diversity and inclusion in Britain. Diversity UK delivers its objectives by undertaking research and consultations, facilitating debates, hosting roundtable meetings and by publishing a monthly newsletter focusing on contemporary equality issues. In November, itt also hosts the annual Paul Stephenson lecture, named after the pioneering British civil rights campaigner, on race and equality. Diversity UK is a registered charity (No: 1155189) in England & Wales.
https://diversityuk.org | @diversityuk
About The Ethnic Minority Foundation
EMF is a national registered charity created in 1999. It is an independent organisation that seeks to strengthen democratic values, reduce poverty and injustice in society, and address the growing inequalities in the world system. EMF’s social justice programme has sought to tackle some of the most difficult issues facing societies today. It has worked to try and protect children from exploitation; safeguard the rights of women and other vulnerable groups; tackle poverty and seek social applications for new technologies. Currently most of its work is focused on social enterprises and providing services and opportunities to local communities.
About KPMG’s Innovative Startups Practice
KPMG’s Innovative Startups practice is dedicated to helping early stage and high-growth technology companies succeed. They do this through providing specialist advice and introductions to contacts in the startup and technology ecosystem. Their remit includes advising companies on: successfully scaling their business; understanding which tax incentives might be available; corporate structuring; expanding internationally; accessing equity and M&A transactions. Furthermore they host a range of industry and networking events for the startup community and support a number of startup accelerator programmes through coaching or mentorship.
KPMG’s Innovative Startups practice is part of KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership and subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP which operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 11,500 partners and staff. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 155 countries and has 155,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative (“KPMG International”), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
https://www.kpmg.com | @kpmguk
About NewAsianPost.com
NewAsianPost.com is a news, business and entertainment website for the South Asian diaspora. With an ambition to usher in a new era of high quality citizen journalism, NewAsianPost.com focuses on the ‘untold stories and unheard voices’ of the community. It publishes the ‘Asian Power Couples Hot 100’ and ‘Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech’ lists.
www.newasianpost.com | @newasianpost
