ur relationship with money is changing. Contactless cards mean we don’t carry so much cash. Going digital is a particular boon when it comes to travelling abroad – no more inconvenient travellers’ cheques or cumbersome money belts.
The fintech sector has risen to meet our new demands. It’s defined by a determination to embrace the latest technology and offer customers a better financial services experience.
The UK capital has become a global centre for this new breed of exciting business, and one of its undoubted stars is Revolut. Less than ten years after its birth in a Canary Wharf fintech incubator, Revolut has become an international company with upwards of 9,000 employees.
“Revolut started in 2015, when foreign exchange (FX) transactions were still a monopoly of big incumbent banks,” says Revolut UK chief executive Francesca Carlesi. “It asked a simple question: was there a way to offer travellers low-cost access to FX? Something deemed impossible by everybody became a reality with Revolut.”
From fintech start-up to global innovator: meet the CEO of the firm putting simpler, smarter money management in the palm of your hand
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“The key is to hire team players
– so we attract individuals who
want to work alongside the best”
To sign up to a Revolut account, go to revolut.com (18+, T&Cs apply)
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Now an ever growing financial institution, Revolut offers its customers day to day financial services, savings accounts, easy to access spending insights, and currency exchange at affordable rates – all in an app.
As well as continually evolving its core offering, the financial institution is never far from launching something new. In 2019, Revolut launched a donations service on its app, offering customers a quick way to donate to their favourite charities. In 2022, it launched Revolut <18, offering children aged 6 to 17 a way to manage their money.
“I have two children,” says Carlesi. “So to have the ability to set them up with their own accounts through Revolut <18, as well as helping them learn about managing money and staying safe online, is invaluable.”*
Revolut’s success has been partly down to how it attracts and retains the best talent. “A key criterion is to always hire team players,” says Carlesi. “We attract similar calibre individuals who want to work alongside the best.” It received more than a million job applications globally last year and has been recognised as a Great Place To Work UK. “It’s something we’re really proud of,” she adds.
Throughout its journey, Revolut has focused on becoming one of the safest places for people to keep their money. The firm has invested hugely to create a 2,500-strong team of financial crime specialists to outsmart increasingly sophisticated cyber criminals, Carlesi explains.
“Our use of data, AI and machine learning to detect and prevent fraud and financial crime has saved customers globally an estimated £470 million-plus in potential fraud in 2023 alone.”
Francesca Carlesi Revolut UK chief executive
Revolution on tap
Sign up for free: go to revolut.com and scan the QR code or receive an
SMS link to download the Revolut app. 18+. Metal card only available on
Metal paid plan. *Parent or guardian required to be on a paid plan to access
2+ <18 accounts. <18 is for kids 6-17 and requires parent to have a Revolut account. T&Cs apply in all cases
Sign up for free: go to revolut.com and scan the QR code or receive an
SMS link to download the Revolut app. 18+. Metal card only available on
Metal paid plan. *Parent or guardian required to be on a paid plan to access
2+ <18 accounts. <18 is for kids 6-17 and requires parent to have a Revolut account. T&Cs apply in all cases