Alex Ford, president of the London-based know-your-customer software firm Encompass, is helping further the advancement of regulatory technology within her company and beyond.
In 2015, while based in Glasgow, Scotland, as a vice president of operations, Ford was tapped to assist with the company's debut and subsequent expansion into the United Kingdom. She stayed in the U.K. for the next four years until relocating to Sydney, Australia, as the vice president of product and marketing in 2019.
Two short years later, she was on the move again to take part in another of Encompass' expansions — this time to
"At a time when fintech investment has dropped, being able to articulate a clear strategy, strong differentiation and market position — both internally and externally — has been a key leadership skill, alongside resilience, adaptability and focus," Ford said.
Her passion for regtech has pushed Ford to go beyond the boundaries of her role with Encompass. In August 2022, she and a small team of female fintech professionals founded the nonprofit Women in RegTech New York. The organization works to support diversity in the regtech market and provides educational resources. Ford is also a member of the RegTech Association's board of directors.
"Fintech is still a very male-dominated arena. … There has been a post-pandemic trend of some senior female leaders stepping back from their roles, which leaves a challenge for the industry to ensure those shoes are filled and succession plans are in place to continue to increase female leadership and direction in fintech," Ford said.
