Fintech
Building a fintech future: Alex Ford
Alex Ford, President of North America, Encompass
Alex Ford, president of London-based know-your-customer software company Encompass, is helping to further advance the advancement of regulatory technology within his company and beyond.
In 2015, while working in Glasgow, Scotland, as vice president of operations, Ford was tapped to assist with the company’s debut and subsequent expansion into the United Kingdom. She remained in the UK for the next four years before moving to Sydney, Australia, as vice president of product and marketing in 2019.
Two years later, he was on the road again to take part in another of the Encompass expansions, this time lead the launch of Encompass’ North American division. As president of this division, Ford has more than doubled Encompass’s user base since 2021.
“At a time when fintech investment has declined, being able to articulate a clear strategy, strong differentiation and market position – both internally and externally – has been a key leadership skill, along with resilience, adaptability and focus ,” Ford said.
His passion for regtech pushed Ford to go beyond the confines of his 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 heavily male-dominated arena.… There has been a post-pandemic trend in which some senior female leaders have stepped back from their roles, which leaves the industry with the challenge of ensuring those shoes are filled and that succession plans are in place continue to increase female leadership and management in fintech,” Ford said.