Fintech Lunch 2026

Colin Payne is a distinguished leader in financial innovation, currently serving as the Head of Innovation at the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and Chair of the Global Financial Innovation Network (GFIN) convening over 90 national regulators to build a powerful, collaborative network.

In these roles, he spearheads strategic initiatives to foster growth through responsible innovation, such as the newly launched AI Lab, Sandboxes and TechSprint Programme.

Before joining the FCA, Colin was the Senior Director at PwC, where he delivered programs across the GCC, including national payment strategies and digital asset initiatives with Central Banks in the region.

He has also held Partner and EVP positions at EY and Capgemini with an early tenure at Apple working with Steve Jobs.

With over 30 years at the forefront of technology and change, Colin has built an awardwinning portfolio designing and deploying world-class innovation.

He has held honorary positions at Kings College and Middlesex University.

Manoj Peiris is a Legal Director in Shoosmiths’ Financial Services & FinTech team, specialising in payments regulation, financial services compliance, and the evolving crypto and digital assets landscape. He advises clients across the full spectrum of the payments ecosystem — including payment service providers, crypto firms, banks, merchant acquirers, and emerging Web3 projects — helping them navigate fast‑moving regulatory frameworks and launch innovative products in the UK and globally.

Manoj is admitted in New South Wales, Australia, and brings significant cross‑jurisdictional experience spanning the UK, EU (including MiCA), US money transmission licensing (MTLs), UAE, Hong Kong, and Singapore. His work includes advising on crypto‑asset structuring and compliance, tokenisation, exchange and custody models, cross‑border licensing strategies, open banking, merchant acquiring arrangements, and commercial contracts across the digital finance value chain.

Before joining Shoosmiths, Manoj worked in top‑tier international environments and has deep in‑house experience supporting payments, crypto, and digital asset businesses as they scale. He is known for providing pragmatic, commercially‑grounded advice that balances regulatory expectations with product ambition — helping clients move quickly while maintaining compliance confidence.

At Shoosmiths, Manoj plays a key role in the firm’s FinTech and Payments practice, working closely with colleagues across technology, financial regulation, and commercial advisory to support clients delivering next‑generation financial services.

Emily Kelly is a Senior Manager at Alexander & Co, an established firm of chartered accountants and tax advisers headquartered in Manchester. She is one of the UK’s leading advisers on crypto tax and heads up the firm’s specialist crypto tax team, working with a wide range of digital and fintech businesses.

 Emily advises clients across the digital, fintech, creative and professional services sectors, delivering expert guidance on business planning, financial reporting and compliance. She was awarded the Rising Star Award at the Tolley’s Taxation Awards 2024 in recognition of her work in crypto tax and has been a key adviser in this evolving space for the past five years.

With over a decade of experience advising owner-managed businesses, high-growth start-ups and established SMEs, Emily provides strategic, commercially focused guidance that supports long-term growth and stability. She is a qualified Chartered Accountant and combines deep technical expertise with a practical, hands-on approach. She is also an active member of Pro-Manchester and sits on the FinTech Committee, remaining closely engaged with developments across the region’s thriving business ecosystem.

A strategic sales leader at Mangopay, he helps global platforms unlock growth through flexible, wallet-based payment infrastructure. With over 14 years of experience across consulting, financial services, and technology, he has a proven track record of delivering eight-figure revenue growth by designing and executing go-to-market strategies that open new markets and scale businesses internationally.

Joaquim specialises in embedded finance, multi-party payments, and platform business models, working closely with organisations to simplify complex money flows and enhance operational efficiency. Known for his consultative approach, he builds strong, trusted relationships with senior leaders, enabling long-term, mutually beneficial partnerships.

Prior to Mangopay, he held senior roles at Weavr, DXC Technology, Atos, and Worldline, consistently driving innovation and commercial success. Joaquim is passionate about helping ambitious companies leverage fintech to transform their business models and accelerate sustainable growth.