Diana Biggs joins major bank to help roll out robo-advice service and other new products.
HSBC, the global bank with around 17 million customers in the UK, has appointed a fintech veteran to oversee the implementation of a range of new digital services. Diana Biggs has been appointed as head of business model innovations across the UK and Europe.
HSBC has recently launched a number of new technologies, including a robo-advice service, the use of touch ID biometrics, and the trialling of new apps, such as SmartSave. In addition overseeing these projects and others, Biggs will also manage various opportunities related to the advent of open banking and PSD2.
“Now is an exciting time for the industry and HSBC,” said Biggs. “I have seen the strides HSBC has made in recent times in the digital arena, and I’m looking forward to being part of the onward story.”
Biggs is a well-known figure in the fintech sector, named on both City AM’s top 25 fintech influencers in the UK list in 2016 and on Innovate Finance’s Women in Fintech Power List in the same year. She is an industry advisor with University College London’s Centre for Blockchain Technologies, and founded Proof of Purpose, a startup exploring the use of blockchain technology to enable financial inclusion and economic empowerment.
Additionally, Biggs has previously held roles as vice president of growth and partnerships UK and EMEA at Uphold.com, chief strategy officer at Soko, and as a fellow at Kiva.org.
Raman Bhatia, head of digital, UK & Europe at HSBC acknowledged that financial technology is evolving “at break-neck speed”, and that many of the advances in technology could improve both the bank and the lives of its customers.
“The challenge is for us to embrace the right technology and solutions that give us the edge to continue to be a market leader, and Diana will add a lot of experience and insight to make that happen,” he said.
