On the shortlist: Katie Ramsey

Katie Ramsey has been shortlisted for WIBF’s Award for Achievement in recognition of her outstanding impact across financial services and fintech. Now serving as Head of Fintech in His Majesty’s Government, she is shaping the UK’s position as a global leader in innovation – spanning fintech, AI, blockchain and web3 – while ensuring the sector remains inclusive, accessible and ethical.

Katie’s career journey is remarkable, spanning trading, fund management, fintech leadership, angel investing and policy. A former BlackRock executive and twice named in Financial News’ Top 40 Under 40, she co-founded The Power Collective and played a pivotal role in reversing legislation through the InvestHER campaign, championing female and underrepresented investors. As an angel investor herself, she actively backs diverse founders, opening doors for talent often overlooked.

From trading floors to government, Katie’s work reflects a consistent purpose: creating opportunity, driving inclusion, and shaping the future of financial services for all.

We asked Katie to tell us more…

You’ve had a remarkable career spanning trading, fund management, fintech, angel investing and now government. What inspired your move from the City to serving as Head of Fintech in HM Government?

After years in the private sector – on trading floors, in fund management and as an investor – often with global powerhouses, I reached a point where I wanted to have more impact here at home. The opportunity to serve my country as Head of Fintech came at exactly the right time. I found myself increasingly drawn to the systemic levers that drive innovation, growth, and inclusion – particularly in a sector where the UK has genuine global leadership and I have expertise.

It felt like a natural progression. I saw the potential to influence policy in a way that could create long-term, inclusive impact – not just for industry, but for society. Working within His Majesty’s Government and internationally with our Embassies and High Commissions around the world, gives me the platform to help shape the future of fintech – and all innovative technology that is now driving financial services, including AI, web3, blockchain – in the UK, ensuring it remains a global leader, a growth driver for the UK, whilst also ensuring financial services are accessible, ethical, and reflective of the people it serves.

You co-founded The Power Collective and InvestHER, which helped reverse legislation impacting female and underrepresented investors. What lessons can be drawn from that campaign?

InvestHER was born out of necessity – policy with unintended consequences was making it harder for women and underrepresented groups to invest in the ecosystem they were trying to build. The campaign taught us three key lessons: First, that data is power. You need evidence to make the case. Second, that collective voices carry weight – when founders, investors, and allies come together, policymakers listen. And third, that change is entirely possible when you refuse to be silent. What began as a few strong voices and LinkedIn posts ended up reversing legislation. There’s real power in unified voices – clear, collective, and momentum for change.

As an angel investor, you actively back diverse founders. What do you look for when choosing who and what to invest in, and why is diversity such a priority?

I invest in founders who are solving real-world problems with a unique lens – often because they’ve lived the problem themselves. I look for grit, clarity of thought, and the ability to execute under pressure. Diversity is not a charitable add-on – it just makes simple business sense. Diverse teams outperform. They see opportunities others miss. But they’re still overlooked, especially at the earliest stages. That’s where angels come in. We have the power to open doors that have been closed for too long.

What challenges have you faced as a woman in male-dominated areas like trading and fintech, and how have you turned them into opportunities to advocate for others?

Walking into trading floors where I was often the only female forced me to develop both resilience and self-awareness very early. I’ve faced all kinds of behaviours and assumptions, and my trading decisions and funds put under more scrutiny than those of many colleagues, so, it made me very good at what I did, and I developed a strong attention to detail. I learned not just to survive those environments, but crucially to challenge and change them. It didn’t always make me popular but, if I wasn’t going to stand up for important issues and others, who would! Hopefully that has helped others that have come after me. That lived experience now informs everything I do – from mentoring founders to shaping inclusive policy.

You founded FinanceInterns to help students access careers in finance. What barriers do you believe young women still face today, and how can they be addressed?

The barriers are still significant and multifaceted – ranging from outdated stereotypes to systemic practices that unintentionally exclude or discourage certain groups. For young women, this often includes a lack of access to networks, persistent pay gaps, limited mentorship, and underrepresentation in leadership roles. But challenges aren’t exclusive to women – many young men, particularly those from underrepresented or non-traditional backgrounds, face similar hurdles when trying to break into such a competitive industry.

FinanceInterns was created to be a bridge: between education and industry, aspiration and opportunity – for everyone – informed by my own experience of trying to secure a coveted job on a trading floor. To truly address these barriers, firms need to consider how they recruit, invest in inclusive outreach, and ensure that all talent who are willing to work and have the abilities – regardless of gender or background – can see themselves reflected at every level of the organization.

Fortunately, many companies have recognised this, and have stepped up their efforts to create environments where all individuals can thrive and advance.

Looking ahead, what do you hope your legacy will be for women and underrepresented groups in fintech and financial services more broadly?

Looking ahead, I hope my legacy reflects a contribution to a more open and accessible industry – one where talent isn’t overlooked because it doesn’t fit a traditional mould. For women and other underrepresented groups in fintech and financial services, the goal isn’t just inclusion – it’s real opportunity to grow, lead, and shape the future of the sector, growing wealth for all.

If my work has helped make the path a little clearer or more attainable for others, then that’s something I’d be proud of. And I hope I have many more years ahead to keep contributing domestically and to the economies that we work with around the world. So many are making great strides, and we can learn from each other. There’s still so much progress to be made, and I want to be part of helping drive it forward.