To provide readers with an industry perspective, we have taken time to speak to Chris Rees at Fintern about his time working in the FinTech space, and his view on the opportunities and challenges facing the sector in 2025.
Firstly, please could you introduce yourself, and Fintern?
I'm Chris Rees, and I lead the premium and point-of-sale finance proposition at Render (Fintern's B2B arm), a FinTech focused on using technology to enhance lending across various UK industries. At Render, we help insurance brokers, retailers and banks improve customer conversion, streamline credit decisioning, and deliver better end-to-end customer experiences.
Please could you tell us about your career path prior to joining the Fintern team?
Before joining Render, I spent several years working across startups of all shapes and sizes in both product and commercial roles. Most recently, I worked for a UK InsurTech where I held P&L responsibility. It was there that I became deeply interested in the premium finance space. That experience gave me a clear view of how underserved sectors like insurance are when it comes to modern payment technology, and it ultimately led me to join Render to build out our premium finance offering.
Please could you provide a bit of background on your role at Fintern?
My role at Render is a varied one. I'm involved across all areas of the business from product development to partnerships, strategy, and customer success. My focus is on ensuring we deliver tangible value to brokers, merchants and end customers, while ensuring the platform continues to evolve in line with changing market needs.
What do you think are the biggest opportunities for FinTechs in the UK?
One of the biggest opportunities lies in embedded finance delivering smarter, more tailored financial products at the point of need. In sectors that have historically lagged behind in digital adoption, FinTechs like Render have a real opportunity to drive transformation and better outcomes for both intermediaries and consumers.
Conversely, what are the biggest challenges facing UK FinTechs?
Access to capital in a more cautious investment environment remains a challenge, particularly for early-stage businesses. Regulatory scrutiny is also increasing and, while that's entirely necessary, it can be resource intensive. That said, FinTechs that can navigate these pressures while offering genuinely differentiated value are well-placed to succeed.
The UK's investment in FinTech has declined by circa 37% from 2023 following economic uncertainty, but the UK remains second for FinTech investment globally. What are your hopes and views on what the next 12 months will bring for the UK FinTech market?
Despite the dip in investment, the fundamentals of the UK FinTech market remain strong with world-class talent, deep financial infrastructure, and a healthy appetite for innovation. I hope to see a shift in government regulation, not in lowering standards, but in creating a more supportive environment for early-stage FinTechs. Simplifying compliance, improving access to innovation sandboxes, and streamlining regulatory approvals could make a real difference in encouraging the next wave of growth.
To end on a high, could you, in no more than two sentences, summarise your career highlight to date?
Leading the turnaround of a UK InsurTech during a critical phase was a defining moment in my career. I built and executed the product strategy that put the business on a clear path to profitability and long-term success.