FinTech Wales Foundry Alum Serene Bolsters Leadership Team with Major Appointments
12 February, 2025
FinTech Wales Foundry Alum Serene Bolsters Leadership Team with Major Appointments
Financial services and customer protection fintech Serene has strengthened its leadership team with three major hires, marking a key milestone in its growth journey.
The FinTech Wales Foundry Season 3 graduate is expanding rapidly following investment from Fuel Ventures last year and recent funding from NatWest. Serene is on a mission to help retail organisations detect financial distress early, ensuring consumers receive the right support before small struggles turn into crises.
New Leadership Hires
- Ehsan Faridifar joins as Chief Data Scientist, bringing expertise in AI and machine learning. He previously developed the UK’s first attrition-based credit score ML product, which secured £20m in funding before being acquired for £45m. At Serene, he will lead the development of advanced data-driven solutions.
- Ian Rathbone has been appointed Director of Engineering. A specialist in AI-powered solutions, he will focus on scaling Serene’s platform and enhancing its technological capabilities. Previously, at Talk Think Do, he introduced DevOps practices and delivered AI-driven innovations showcased at BETT UK and DigiGov.
- Elizabeth Collins steps in as Chief of Staff, bringing over a decade of operational expertise in consumer credit and financial services. She will play a pivotal role in aligning strategic initiatives, enhancing governance, and ensuring sustainable growth.
Driving FinTech for Good
Serene’s founder and CEO, Savannah Price, highlighted the significance of these appointments:
“We are thrilled to welcome Ehsan, Ian, and Elizabeth to the Serene family. Their combined expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving our vision forward.”
Fuel Ventures founder, Mark Pearson, added:
“Savannah and her team have made incredible progress, and the addition of such experienced professionals is a testament to their ambition and the value they are creating in the FinTech space.”
With these strategic hires, Serene is doubling down on its commitment to leveraging AI and data science to make financial services more proactive, transparent, and impactful.