Charlotte Crosswell joins Raidiam as executive chair

Charlotte Crosswell OBE has been appointed as the new executive chair of Raidiam, effective today (9 December).

Crosswell brings a wealth of experience in financial services and fintech, having held prominent leadership roles that underscore her commitment to innovation and governance.

Prior to this appointment, Crosswell served as chair and trustee of the Open Banking Implementation Entity (OBIE) from October 2021 until January 2023. In this role, she was instrumental in overseeing significant governance, culture, and management reforms, ensuring the OBIE was well-prepared for its transition to the next phase of Open Banking in the UK.

Following her tenure at OBIE, Crosswell was appointed chair of the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) in January 2023. At CFIT, she has led initiatives to support the scaling of UK-based fintech firms and contributed to maintaining the UK’s position as a global leader in financial innovation.

Crosswell’s extensive career also includes serving as chief executive officer of Innovate Finance, the UK’s fintech industry body, where she collaborated with entrepreneurs, financial services firms, government, and regulators on fintech advocacy and strategy. Her leadership was pivotal in delivering the strategic fintech review known as the Kalifa Review.

Her contributions to financial services were also recognised in the Queen’s Birthday Honours 2021, where she was awarded an OBE.

Crosswell said: “I am absolutely thrilled to be joining the team at Raidiam, who have been so instrumental in driving forward the Open Data agenda since delivering the world’s first Trust Framework for Open Banking in the UK. I’ve watched as Raidiam has gone on to accelerate the adoption of exciting new Open Finance initiatives around the world.

“The team is now perfectly poised to take a leading role in the next stage of Open Data innovation, both within and beyond financial services, as governments, businesses and consumers increasingly realise the value of the Open Data economy. I’m very much looking forward to working with Barry, Ralph and the entire Raidiam team.”

Barry O’Donohoe, co-founder and chief executive officer of Raidiam

Raidiam’s chief executive officer, Barry O’Donohoe, said: “We’re delighted that Charlotte will be leading our board as executive chair, bringing her vast experience from across the finance and technology sectors. Charlotte is highly respected and brings a formidable record leading and advising organisations across the financial services world, as well as being hugely influential on the UK’s technology scene.”

He added: “As Raidiam continues to scale rapidly as a global innovator and exporter of Open Data solutions, it’s vital we continue to add strength, expertise and authority to our leadership. Charlotte brings this in abundance and we’re extremely fortunate to have her join us.”

In her new role as chair of Raidiam, Crosswell is expected to leverage her extensive experience to drive innovation and strengthen the company’s position as a leader in the global Open Data economy.

Further reading: Raidiam unveils new advisory service