Saira Khan

Head of Innovation & Partnerships at First Direct Bank

Speaker

Saira Khan is the Head of Innovation and Partnerships for First Direct Bank (HSBC), was recognised in Innovate Finance ‘Women in FinTech Powerlist 2023/2024’. Having led the creation of innovation teams and centres in the United Kingdom, Asia, and the United States, while building and testing data management and open banking through global hackathons, she has developed a unique vision and reputation for being a catalyst for transformation around the world on leading deliveries with commercial impact. She is known as a key connector and championing moves towards a digital-first culture, enabling greater collaboration and connectivity between startups and corporations with proven results. While her passion and advocacy for change sets her apart from her peers in the finance sector, it is her work mentoring and supporting global talent in Africa, Asia, and the United States that drives Saira as she focuses and champions efforts around diversity, inclusion, education, and sustainability.