FinTech Awards: Henk Van Hulle wins Executive of the Year

Henk van Hulle has won the Executive of the Year Award.

Receiving the award, Henk Van Hulle, CEO of Open Banking, explained how: "It's fantastic. It's a great feeling, but it is not only my feeling, it's also a team feeling. My team is here today and we're really well supported by my team as well."

Under the leadership of Henk van Hulle, CEO of Open Banking Limited (OBL), the UK's open banking landscape has seen unprecedented growth, solidifying the UK’s position as a global leader in this space.

Henk has been instrumental in driving business growth, with the number of open banking users reaching a record 9.7 million, encompassing one in five small businesses and one in seven consumers.

Projections indicate that by 2027, the value of open transactions in the UK will soar to USD 82 billion - a 503% increase - showcasing the robust trajectory of open banking under Henk’s guidance.

Henk’s strategic oversight has not only expanded the market but also ensured the UK model serves as a blueprint for over 60 jurisdictions globally.

His work with the Joint Regulatory Oversight Committee (JROC) and contributions to the Government’s Smart Data Roadmap have further cemented the UK’s leadership in this evolving field.

The roadmap sets a clear vision for the development of Smart Data initiatives across sectors, reinforcing the role of open banking in driving a broader data-driven economy.

In navigating industry challenges, Henk led OBL through significant regulatory and policy shifts, including the complex rollout of the Data Protection and Digital Information Bill. His ability to work closely with regulators and stakeholders has fostered a sustainable and innovative ecosystem, while record-breaking milestones, such as 16.8 million payments in May, highlight the tangible success achieved under his tenure.

Internally, Henk has championed diversity and inclusion, giving the HR Director a seat on the Executive Committee and embedding a values-driven culture within OBL.

His focus on employee well-being and inclusivity has dramatically improved workplace morale, reflected in the jump of the organisation’s NPS score from 1 to 43.

Through his visionary leadership, Henk van Hulle has positioned OBL as a pioneering force in the fintech industry, shaping the future of open banking both in the UK and beyond.

The awards

Launched in 2024, The Global FinTech Awards 2024 debuted at FinTech LIVE London Global Summit 2024.

Across 12 categories, the awards celebrated those companies, professionals and projects that consistently ensure that excellence and innovation lie at the forefront of their work. 

The awards set a benchmark for excellence across the industry and drive innovation in payment technology, digital banking, fraud verification and more.

“It was an honour to spotlight such a wide range of incredible companies at the inaugural FinTech Awards,” said Glen White, CEO of BizClik, FinTech Magazine.

“At a time where digital inclusion and easy access to finance is crucial for fostering economic growth, reducing poverty, and promoting social equity, it is important to celebrate the success of those in the fintech industry that are revolutionising traditional financial services through the integration of technology. 

“To host the awards during FinTech LIVE London is an incredible moment for the sector to celebrate, we encourage many more companies to enter our awards for 2025. 

“Thanks to every company that entered - it's important that you stay focused, motivated and continuously innovate and I am excited to see so much more of Generative AI when we meet again in a year’s time.

And a big congratulations to every company who entered, those that are highly commended and of course to our 14 winners – we appreciate your input more than you know.”

The Executive of the Year Award

The Executive of the Year Award recognises outstanding leaders who have demonstrated exceptional vision, leadership, and innovation in the fintech and insurtech industries.

• How have you achieved measurable success in driving business growth and financial performance in your organisation? 
• How have you demonstrated exceptional leadership in navigating industry challenges, driving innovation, and inspiring your team? 
• How have you fostered a culture of collaboration, diversity, and inclusion within your organisation? 
• How have you contributed to shaping the future of fintech and insurtech through thought leadership, strategic initiatives, and industry impact?

Shortlisted individuals included-

• Henk van Hulle
• Nadine Chakar
• Sergei Astafjev
• Toms Jurjevs

Highly Commended: Sergei Astafjev & Toms Jurjevs

Sergei Astafjev, CEO of Wallester, and Toms Jurjevs, CEO of Sun Finance Group, have each carved out distinct paths to success in the fintech industry, positioning their companies as leaders through innovative strategies and exceptional leadership.

Under Sergei Astafjev's leadership, Wallester has experienced exponential growth. The company’s client base skyrocketed from 600 to 2,500 companies within a year, supported by major partnerships with entities like Latvian Post and KuCoin.

Wallester’s success lies in its bespoke financial solutions, such as Wallester White-Label and Wallester Business, which allow companies to manage financial transactions with increased efficiency.

These innovations have driven a 400% rise in payment processing volumes and a doubling of revenues.

Sergei’s foresight has also led Wallester to expand into 37 countries, including key markets such as the UK, US and Australia.

With cutting-edge advancements like tokenisation and seamless API integration, Sergei continues to push the boundaries of fintech innovation, earning Wallester accolades like “Best Expense Management Platform” at the FinTech Breakthrough Awards.

Sergei fosters an inclusive and collaborative workplace, driving Wallester’s dynamic growth and positioning it as a major player in the global financial services sector.

Toms Jurjevs has equally made waves at Sun Finance Group, driving the company to USD 306 million in revenue and securing its position as the fastest-growing fintech in Europe, according to the Financial Times.

Toms’ leadership, marked by a balance of autonomy and strategic oversight, has empowered Sun Finance to expand its operations across four continents, employing over 1,400 people.

His innovative approach, focused on enhancing rather than reinventing existing technologies, has given Sun Finance a competitive edge.

Toms has steered the company through challenging periods, such as the COVID-19 pandemic and led a swift recovery, maintaining pre-pandemic performance levels.

Sun Finance’s culture of inclusivity is equally strong, with a near-equal gender ratio and women holding key management roles.

Toms’ influence extends beyond Sun Finance, as he shares his insights at international conferences, shaping the broader fintech landscape.

Both Sergei Astafjev and Toms Jurjevs have demonstrated outstanding leadership in driving their companies to remarkable growth, with their strategic foresight and commitment to innovation establishing them as prominent executives in fintech.

The Global FinTech Awards 2024

Thanks to our esteemed panel of industry leaders who judged the awards:

• Stephen Roche, President and Co-Founder of Saphyre
• Nick Levy, Partner at IBM Consulting
• Daniel Yubi, Chief Executive Officer at Payable
• Jaideep Pawar, Founder & CEO of GRAMePAY
• Steve Suarez, External Advisor at Bain & Company
• Georgios Samakovitis, Professor of FinTech at University of Greenwich
• David Palmer, Blockchain Lead Vodafone Business IoT at Vodafone Business 
• Russell Fisher, COO Admiral Pioneer at Admiral Group
• Jsmeet Narang, Chief Transformation Officer and Director of Financial Crime at Santander

The full list of awards categories for 2024 is:

• Digital Banking Award
• Payment Technology Award
• Financial Services Award
• AI in FinTech Award
• Fraud & ID Verification Award
• Sustainable FinTech Award
• Finance Technology Award
• FinTech Consultancy Award
• Future Leader Award
• Executive of the Year Award
• Project of the Year Award
• Lifetime Achievement Award
• Social Enterprise Award
• Start-Up Award

Essential diary dates for 2025

FinTech LIVE continues to expand its LIVE events with more to come in 2025 - discover the essential diary dates below.

2025:

• FinTech LIVE Singapore | 25 February 
• InsurTech LIVE | 1 May
• FinTech LIVE Dubai | 6 May
• FinTech LIVE New York | 17 June
• FinTech LIVE London | 7-8 October
• FinTech Awards | 7 October

Make sure you check out the latest edition of FinTech Magazine and also sign up to our global conference series – FinTech LIVE 2024.

FinTech Magazine is a BizClik brand