LEADERSHIP
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experience in the sector . Alongside his role at Portag3 – a fintech and insuretech-focused VC firm that aims to empower and invest in “ visionary financial entrepreneurs ” – he also holds the same role at challenger bank KOHO Financial . The common thread , says Hansen , that runs through these positions “ is a love of finding ways to do things differently and to build teams that can solve problems .”
The sector , according to Hansen , has seen considerable change in recent years , particularly with regards to fintechs evolving their propositions in line
with consumers . He says that the prevailing trend is towards the “ less obvious ”, with a shift away from features and capabilities that customers could easily ‘ see ’ towards more specific and niche areas of the financial services value chain that can bring “ tremendous value and opportunity ”. Alongside that is the influence of blockchain . “ Love it or hate it ,” he says , “ it ’ s driven a new generation toward some of the very hard problems in financial services ; blockchain also challenges some of the most fundamental assumptions in the industry , which is very healthy .”
NOVEMBER 2019