AI is exposing a massive skills gap

AI and the Future of Work: Why Human Skills Matter More Than Ever

In this episode of FinTech Focus TV, host Toby Babb sits down with Julia Streets, Founder and CEO of Streets Consulting, for a thought-provoking conversation about the changing nature of work in financial technology and why the future of FinTech talent may depend less on technical expertise and more on human capability.

Recorded in the studio, the discussion explores a major shift happening across financial services and financial technology today. As artificial intelligence accelerates change in the workplace, companies are rethinking the skills they hire for, the way they develop talent, and what leadership looks like in a technology-driven world. For FinTech businesses, this shift has profound implications for hiring strategies, leadership development, and long-term growth.

Julia Streets brings more than two decades of experience working across financial services, technology, and entrepreneurship. She is widely recognised for her contributions to the FinTech industry and was awarded an MBE for services to entrepreneurship and diversity in financial services and technology. Through Streets Consulting, the firm she founded eighteen years ago, Julia works with startups, scale-ups, global organisations and industry associations to support growth, transformation, and strategic positioning.

Throughout the conversation, Toby and Julia explore why the FinTech industry must rethink its approach to talent and leadership as the pace of technological change continues to accelerate.

FinTech Talent and Leadership in an AI-Driven World

One of the central themes of the conversation is the rapid transformation taking place across the FinTech industry as artificial intelligence becomes embedded in everyday business operations. While technology has always played a major role in financial services innovation, the scale and speed of change now being driven by AI is forcing organisations to reconsider how they approach hiring, leadership development, and workforce planning.

Julia explains that companies across the FinTech ecosystem are currently focused on two major priorities: growth and transformation. Whether they are startups launching new products, scale-ups expanding into new markets, or global financial institutions adopting new technologies, every organisation is navigating some form of transformation. In many cases, that transformation is being driven directly by technological innovation.

However, as organisations adopt AI and automation, Julia stresses that businesses must not forget the human dimension of transformation. Technology may change how work is performed, but people remain at the centre of innovation, decision-making and leadership. In fact, as technology becomes more powerful, the need for strong human skills may become even more important.

This is particularly relevant in FinTech, where organisations must combine advanced technical expertise with strong leadership, communication and collaboration in order to succeed in highly competitive markets.

FinTech Recruitment and the Growing Skills Gap

The discussion also highlights a growing concern across the global workforce: the widening gap between the skills businesses need and the skills many professionals currently possess.

Julia references research from the World Economic Forum which found that sixty-three percent of employers identify skills gaps as the biggest barrier to transformation. As technology continues to reshape industries, organisations are increasingly struggling to find professionals who combine technical knowledge with the broader capabilities required to work effectively in modern business environments.

LinkedIn research reinforces this point, showing that sixty-nine percent of senior executives prioritise hiring candidates with strong soft skills. These include capabilities such as critical thinking, communication, emotional intelligence, collaboration and adaptability.

For companies operating in financial technology, this challenge is particularly significant. FinTech organisations must move quickly, adapt to regulatory change, launch new products and compete in global markets. Hiring professionals who possess both technical expertise and the human skills needed to work in fast-moving environments is becoming a critical factor in organisational success.

For recruitment firms like Harrington Starr, which specialises in FinTech recruitment and talent solutions, this shift highlights the importance of helping organisations identify professionals who combine technical knowledge with leadership potential and strategic thinking.

Future FinTech Jobs and the Impact of AI

As the conversation continues, Toby and Julia explore how artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of jobs across financial services and technology.

While AI is often discussed in terms of automation and job displacement, Julia argues that the bigger story is actually about transformation rather than replacement. Technology is not simply removing jobs; it is changing the nature of work itself.

McKinsey research suggests that as many as 375 million workers may need to reskill in the coming years due to technological change. This means that professionals across all industries, including financial technology, must continuously adapt their skills in order to remain competitive.

For FinTech professionals, this means developing capabilities that complement technology rather than compete with it. AI may be able to process data, automate workflows and generate insights, but it cannot replace the human qualities that drive leadership, innovation and strategic decision-making.

This includes the ability to interpret complex information, build relationships, communicate ideas clearly, and collaborate effectively across teams. These skills are becoming increasingly valuable as organisations integrate AI into their operations.

Gen Z, Workplace Expectations and FinTech Careers

Another key topic explored in the episode is the changing nature of the workforce, particularly as younger professionals begin entering the FinTech industry.

Julia references research from Trinity College which highlights some of the anxieties faced by Gen Z professionals entering the workplace. One surprising finding is that many younger employees feel significant anxiety around everyday workplace interactions, including small talk and collaborating with colleagues.

This challenge is partly linked to the fact that many students completed large portions of their education during the COVID-19 pandemic, when remote learning limited opportunities for in-person interaction. As a result, some early career professionals are entering the workforce with less experience navigating workplace communication and collaboration.

For FinTech employers, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity. Organisations must think carefully about how they support early career talent and help new professionals develop the skills needed to succeed in complex business environments.

From a recruitment perspective, this also highlights the importance of mentoring, leadership development and workplace culture in attracting and retaining the next generation of FinTech professionals.

Why Soft Skills Are Becoming Critical in Financial Technology

A major focus of the conversation is the growing importance of what are often referred to as soft skills. While technical expertise remains essential in financial technology, Julia argues that human capabilities will increasingly define long-term success.

She identifies several key skills that professionals across FinTech and financial services should focus on developing. These include critical thinking, emotional intelligence, teamwork, communication, adaptability and resilience.

Critical thinking and problem solving allow professionals to identify the root cause of complex challenges rather than simply addressing surface-level issues. Emotional intelligence helps leaders understand the perspectives and motivations of colleagues and clients, enabling stronger relationships and more effective collaboration.

Communication skills remain fundamental in all industries, particularly in environments where teams must work across multiple departments, markets and time zones. Adaptability and resilience are also increasingly important as professionals navigate rapid technological change and evolving business models.

These skills are not new, but they are becoming more important as technology transforms the workplace.

Leadership, Culture and FinTech Business Growth

The conversation also explores the role leadership plays in building successful FinTech businesses.

Julia explains that many founders within the financial technology sector come from technical backgrounds. While these individuals often possess exceptional expertise in building products and solving technical problems, scaling a business requires a broader set of leadership capabilities.

As companies grow, leaders must build teams, communicate vision, create strong organisational cultures and develop the next generation of leaders within their businesses. This requires a focus on people, not just products.

Toby highlights the importance of recognising that the most successful organisations are rarely built purely on technology. Instead, they are built by talented teams working together effectively.

This is why leadership development and executive coaching are becoming increasingly important across the FinTech industry.

FinTech Marketing, Growth and Commercial Strategy

Towards the end of the discussion, the conversation shifts towards the commercial realities of building and scaling a FinTech business.

Julia shares a simple but powerful piece of advice for founders and executives: treat marketing like a client.

Too often, companies view marketing as a secondary function rather than a strategic driver of growth. However, when organisations treat marketing with the same seriousness as revenue-generating activities, it can become a powerful engine for business development.

Marketing, sales and communication should work together in a continuous cycle that generates opportunities, builds brand credibility and drives commercial outcomes.

For FinTech companies competing in increasingly crowded markets, strong communication and strategic positioning are essential in attracting customers, investors and talent.

The Future of FinTech Talent and Leadership

As the episode concludes, the conversation returns to the broader theme of the future of work in financial technology.

While AI will continue to transform the way businesses operate, Julia’s message is ultimately optimistic. The rise of artificial intelligence does not diminish the importance of human skills. Instead, it highlights their value.

Professionals who develop strong communication skills, emotional intelligence, critical thinking and adaptability will remain highly valuable in the years ahead. Organisations that recognise this shift and invest in developing their people will be better positioned to navigate technological change.

For FinTech businesses, this insight has direct implications for hiring strategies, leadership development and organisational culture. As technology continues to evolve, the companies that succeed will be those that combine technological innovation with strong human leadership.

For recruitment specialists such as Harrington Starr, which focuses on FinTech recruitment and talent solutions across financial services and technology, this evolving skills landscape reinforces the importance of helping organisations identify the right talent for the future.

This episode of FinTech Focus TV provides a timely and insightful discussion about the intersection of technology, talent and leadership in financial technology. As the FinTech industry continues to grow and transform, conversations like this play an important role in helping leaders understand how to build the teams that will define the next generation of innovation.