Financial Services Technology Panel Event: Artificial Intelligence Discussion Forum (Part 2)
19th February 2026 from 5:30pm — 8:30pm • Information Technologists' Hall
Artificial Intelligence in Financial Services: Balancing Innovation, and Strategic Adoption
Artificial Intelligence is transforming financial services at extraordinary speed, creating both significant opportunities and complex risks for small and medium-sized enterprises across the City of London’s fintech and financial services landscape. To help leaders navigate this rapidly evolving environment, we are launching an invitation-only AI Discussion Forum that brings together decision-makers, subject matter experts, and governance specialists for open conversation and practical guidance.
The three-part series examines the most pressing themes shaping AI adoption today. Part 2 will focus on AI Governance, Regulation and Responsible AI, will explore compliance expectations, liability considerations, ethical frameworks, and the implications of the EU AI Act. It will also address what effective AI governance looks like in practice and how organisations can operationalise responsible AI in line with emerging legislation and best practice. Designed for leaders of financial technology firms in and around the City of London, the forum offers a rare opportunity to share strategies, inform policy thinking, and prepare for an AI-enabled future.
Keynote Speaker and Panellist:
Paul Ballard Group Chief Technology Officer, and Heads the AI Governance Nationwide Building Society
Paul Ballard, a seasoned expert in Financial Services with over 25 years of experience, is the Group Chief Technology Officer at Nationwide. He joined the Society in late 2011 and has held various roles in Strategy and Architecture across the organisation. Prior to his tenure at Nationwide, Paul spent 14 years at Lloyds Banking Group, starting as a Cobol developer, transitioning to a full-stack website developer, and ultimately specialising in Integration Architecture. Paul is an advocate for mental health awareness and co-sponsors Nationwide’s MindsMatter network. He is married to Lynn and has three teenage daughters and two dogs.
Panellists:
Pauline Norstrom Founder and CEO of Anekanta®
Pauline Norstrom is a specialist in AI strategy, governance, and risk intelligence, and a firm supporting boards and senior leaders in regulated and high-risk environments. Her work focuses on translating AI regulation, standards, and ethical principles into fit-for-purpose governance models and operational controls. Pauline is the author of the Anekanta® 12 Principles of AI Governance, adopted by the Institute of Directors, and has developed board-level, CPD-certified training to support effective AI oversight, risk appetite setting, and accountability. Anekanta® is a member of the EU AI Pact and works with organisations preparing for the EU AI Act, including its implications for deployer liability, third-party AI risk, and Responsible AI adoption. She has played a leading role in shaping AI standards and regulatory alignment, including guiding the development of British Standard BS 9347 for facial recognition software, contributing to the ART/1 national AI standards committee, and supporting the launch of ISO/IEC 42001, the world’s first international AI management system standard. Her work is recognised by the UK Government and the OECD. Pauline holds a first-class honours degree in Law, including specialist research on the EU AI Act and AI liability, and achieved distinction on the Artificial Intelligence Executive Programme at Oxford Saïd Business School. She is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, the Institute of Directors, and the Royal Society for the Arts, has served as a statutory director on global technology boards, and currently acts as a non-executive director of a national association, also advising several organisations in the UK, EU, and US on AI governance, regulation, and Responsible AI in practice.
Maria Luciana Axente Founder and CEO of Responsible Intelligence
Maria is an award-winning AI ethics and public policy global expert with a demonstrable 20-year track record of setting up and leading a range of technology-based ventures. Driven by high professional standards, she has built a reputation as an advocate and influencer in responsible AI, advising clients across industries and sectors on the operationalisation of ethical AI & data. Maria is an advisor and regular contributor to public policy initiatives for the UK and Romanian governments, UNICEF, the World Economic Forum, and the Global Partnership on AI. She serves as an advisory board member for the All Party Parliamentary Group on AI (APPG AI) in the UK Parliament, the NATO Advisory Group on Emerging and Disruptive Technologies, and the SKEMA Business School AI Institute. She was also elected as Chair of the Data and AI Leadership Committee at Tech UK, the UK’s leading technology trade association. Maria holds the position of Senior Research Associate at the Intellectual Forum at Jesus College, University of Cambridge. Her work has been recognised with various awards, including ComputerWeekly Most Influential Women in Technology, TechWomen100, 100 Brilliant Women in AI Ethics and CogX Outstanding Achievements in Ethical AI.
Dr Indranil Nath, FBCS, CEng. Managing Partner, Gekkō Advisory Services Ltd Associate Professor in Engineering, City St George’s University of London
Indranil Nath is a Chartered Engineer, entrepreneurial leader, board member, and independent Non-Executive Director with global experience spanning insurance operations, technology, and governance. He has established visionary information systems strategies and delivered large-scale technical solutions, including enterprise-wide application development in both build and buy scenarios. His expertise extends to ethical technology: he has consulted on AI ethics and governance, developed guidelines for Responsible AI, and peer-reviewed the United Nations Action Plan for a Sustainable Planet in the Digital Age. Dr Nath built his career through senior roles at DXC, IBM, AXA, and EY, before moving into advisory work for Private Equity firms for portfolio turnarounds. He currently is a Managing Partner at Gekkō Advisory Services working on Hydrogen Power Solutions for AI Growth Zones, and serves as a Non-Executive Director and Advisory Board Member at AI+Partners B.V. and Parallel Learning Trust, He is a Visiting Fellow in AI Capability Evaluations and AI Field Operations and Visiting Lecturer for Engineering Strategy at Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University, and advisor to the National Centre of Creativity enabled by AI (CebAI) at Bayes Business School. He is a Fellow of BCS, the Chartered Institute for IT and the Institute of Directors. An alumnus of the University of Cambridge Judge Business School, Dr Nath holds an MBA in Management and Information Systems and a PhD in Engineering Management. He was named one of the Top 100 Diverse Leaders in Tech by the Technology Inclusion Council in 2021.
Vijay Mitra (Moderator) HO Digital & Generative AI Risk Partnering, COO Office Nationwide Building Society
Vijay Mitra is a results-driven governance, risk, and compliance (GRC) leader with over 20 years of cross-sector experience in financial services, spanning retail and investment banking, wealth management, fund administration, and digital FinTech. He specialises in building and scaling AI governance and digital risk frameworks, helping firms navigate Responsible AI, cybersecurity, and regulatory change across complex financial ecosystems. With deep expertise in Responsible AI and Generative AI risk management, Vijay operationalises governance models aligned with FCA, PRA, and global ethics standards, embedding fairness, transparency, and accountability into AI-powered solutions. His experience extends across Open Banking, Cloud, Crypto, Mobile Platforms, and Embedded Finance, underpinned by robust conduct, model, and cybersecurity controls. A trusted advisor to Boards, Risk Committees, and C-suites, VM has engaged regulators globally, including the FCA, PRA, and central banks in the EU and the Middle East. He mentors FinTechs, banks, and scale-ups to embed Responsible AI frameworks that safeguard customers while enabling sustainable innovation.
Schedule:
5:30 PM Door Open
6:00 PM Welcome, open session Keynote Fire chat discussion
7:30 PM Networking (drinks and canapés)
8:30 PM Event Close
Ticket:
£25.00 including VAT
Part 3 – Workforce Transformation & AI Literacy: Preparing leaders and employees for the skills, culture, and trust required in an AI-driven workplace will be held on May 12, 2026.