The Fintech & Payments Advisory Network (TFPA), an international consultancy launched by proven fintech veterans, has entered into a strategic partnership with Chez Fintech, a board-level advisory firm for economic regulators, blue-chip investment firms and businesses undergoing digital transformation.
The alliance brings together the expertise and resources of both companies in a knowledge exchange that deepens their respective advisory services. This enables each firm to deliver stronger advice that guides clients through regulation challenges and helps them drive growth amidst increasingly arduous business conditions.
As a result of the partnership agreement, Chez Fintech’s Founding Director, Lana Tahirly Abdullayeva, has joined the advisory network as an associate.
Lana brings her background in data science and over three decades in fintech and technology to the position, with previous roles at KPMG, Lloyds Banking Group, Barclays, Experian, and as an advisor to the economic regulators in the UK and globally.
Through Chez Fintech, Lana aims to inspire innovation and business growth. She advises clients on how to leverage new technology to build fresh models and extend their capabilities. This helps to create resilient businesses that sustain market shocks and economic downturn, serve customer needs, and grow the global economy.
Roger Bracken, Co-Founding Partner of TFPA, commented, “We’re delighted to partner with Chez Fintech and have Lana join the cadre. She is a seasoned advisor and mentor with a forte in financial services regulations. Her knowledge is like gold dust for fintechs who often struggle to face the dual challenge of driving commercial success while navigating regulatory demands alone.
“Gaining access to Chez Fintech and Lana’s expertise enables TFPA to build out a richer proposition for our clients, both in guiding them through UK financial regulations – whether they are based here or wish to enter the UK market – and helping them build new digital ventures. I have no doubt that Lana will make a major addition to our fast-growing team of experts.”
Lana added, “Many businesses recognise the opportunity offered by the UK market but are not aware of the regulatory framework that must be overcome or the lengthy timelines that are associated with this. There are several examples of international companies producing business plans that are deeply flawed due to not understanding how long regulation can take.
“By joining forces with TFPA, we can combine our knowledge to help these businesses get the better of regulatory hurdles – enabling them to enter, grow and thrive in the UK market and ultimately drive progress in the digital economy. It’s a fantastic opportunity and I’m thrilled to be joining the team.”
TFPA launched last year to provide quality advice for founders and executives of growing fintech businesses, since this was previously difficult to access.
Its diverse team of advisors are all ex-operators who have already dealt with and overcame the issues faced by today’s fintech businesses. This real-world experience enables them to offer fresh perspectives and practicable advice that can be instrumental to businesses as they launch and evolve.
Since it was established, TFPA has drawn in strong talent from across the industry. Alongside the new partnership with Chez Fintech and securing Lana as an associate advisor, it also recently welcomed two new associate partners, Mark Goldspink and Dave Joyce.
Mark is a senior commercial leader with hands-on experience in global solution innovation. Dave has several decades of leadership experience in a wide range of payments, fintech and software technology businesses.
