Anna Boden

Anne Elizabeth Boden, MBE (born January 1960) is a renowned Welsh tech entrepreneur with significant contributions to the financial technology sector. She has the unique distinction of being the first woman to found a British bank. Not only did she lay the foundation of the Starling Bank, but she also served as its former CEO. Armed with an MBE for her services to financial technology in 2018, Boden has left indelible marks in the world of banking and finance.

Born in Bon-y-maen, a suburb of Swansea to a steelworker and a department store worker, Boden's journey to success wasn't served on a silver platter. She attended Cefn Hengoed Comprehensive and graduated from Swansea University in 1981 with a degree in Chemistry and Computer Sciences. Boden invested her early career in giants like Lloyds Banking Group, Standard Chartered Bank, UBS, and served as the Chief Information Officer at AON Corporation. She also championed positions at ABN AMRO and RBS. Back in 2011, she served on the Board of Governors of Middlesex University, which honoured her an degree in July 2018. Despite stepping down as Starling CEO, she continues to be influential in the financial world.