THE FINTECH INTERVIEW
What’ s in a foundation? In fintech, foundations are spoken about all the time. The foundation for a new, innovative start-up. The foundation for access to payments. The foundation for the next generation of technology in financial services.
Have the physical roots ever been at the forefront of the conversation?
For Linoy Kidd, GBM MENAT CIO at HSBC, her foundation comes not only from mixed heritage – a British father and Kurdish mother – but from her access to education.
Her childhood, spent relocating across countries and cultures, provided a learning opportunity, teaching her to be“ adaptable, resilient and open to different perspectives”. She notes that these qualities have been“ invaluable” throughout her career. Influential figures for Linoy include her mother and brother, who carved out different opportunities with the tools given to them. She describes how she“ should have the same opportunities” as her brother, who is two years older.
Her mother, a highly skilled hairdresser, didn’ t get the chance to finish her high-school education.
“ Rather than seeing that as a fixed limitation, she returned to education repeatedly to keep learning and developing,” Linoy explains.“ Watching her persistence reinforced a lesson I still rely on today: learning isn’ t a one-time achievement – it’ s a lifelong commitment.”
“ Because I had access to education, I was able to build a career and secure a role at HSBC”
Linoy Kidd GBM MENAT CIO HSBC
Grounding the foundation for success Linoy establishes the five principles that she learned young, what she notes as the foundation of her success.
“ I grew up with a strong set of values that continue to shape how I work and how I lead,” she says.
Linoy’ s principles are:
• Be kind to everyone
• Help as many people as possible
• Make an impact where you can
• Fulfil your true potential
• Be your authentic self
• Be proud of where you come from.
Similarly, her grandmother – who was never taught to read or write – served as a major influence.
Linoy remembers:“ She would ask her grandchildren to teach her, which left a lasting impression on me – both about the power of education and the injustice of being denied it. That experience made education feel deeply personal – it isn’ t only about achievement, it’ s about dignity, independence and choice.”
22 May 2026