Regulators today face unprecedented challenges. Financial institutions, fintechs, and bad actors alike rapidly deploy new technologies, and regulators must stay ahead to protect consumers and ensure market stability. Generic “digital transformation” advice doesn’t cut it—regulatory innovation demands specialized insight, deep understanding, and practical tools.
That’s where AIR comes in. We’re former senior regulators, financial service experts and specialist consultants, who have successfully led innovation from within — people like Nick Cook, formerly Director of Innovation at the U.K.’s Financial Conduct Authority (FCA). We’ve lived your challenges, navigated similar barriers, and understand the complexities and opportunities of regulatory innovation.
A culture of innovation helps regulators navigate disruption, protect consumers and foster inclusive financial systems in fast evolving environments. This is why we’ve created Innovation Elements, a Cohort program that will give you the ability to accelerate your organization’s innovation capacity.
Innovation Elements was a four-day immersive experience hosted in London from October 6-9, 2025. This was a team-based experience to give regulators an impactful, collaborative experience tailored to your organization’s needs.
Innovation Elements is central to AIR’s unique methodology — an original, holistic framework developed specifically for financial regulators. It moves far beyond tech-driven models, while technology is critical, we focus equally on organizational culture, mindset shifts, and practical, actionable steps. The framework provides regulators with a structured-yet-flexible approach to mapping and overcoming innovation barriers, clearly identifying their highest-impact opportunities.
In this immersive cohort experience, this framework served as your guide — each day brought opportunities to apply its principles through hands-on design thinking activities, interactive case studies, and collaborative problem solving. With continuous support from the AIR team and our renowned innovation experts, our participants left feeling confident, energized, and ready to put their newfound knowledge and skills into immediate practice.
AIR’s proprietary Innovation Elements Framework offers a unique and comprehensive way to assess and enhance your organization’s innovation capabilities:
Identifies drivers and barriers to innovation across your entire organization—not just the tech, but people, processes, culture, and mindset.
Informed by global case studies, real-life examples, and proven best practices gathered from regulatory bodies worldwide.
Guides you in cultivating an organizational culture ready to embrace and sustain innovation.
Moves beyond theory into active experimentation and skill building through design thinking exercises.
This cohort was delivered by an AIR team that genuinely understands the regulatory world. We blend firsthand regulatory expertise with deep passion, empathy, and curiosity. Supporting our team was AIR’s extensive global network of innovation specialists, prominent academics, and thought-leaders in areas such as Responsible AI, digital transformation and regulatory innovation. Throughout the experience, participants interacted with these experts, enriching their perspectives and expanding their professional connections.
The Core AIR Team
Chief Innovation Officer
Program Director
Strategic Advisory Lead
Strategic Engagement Lead
Visiting Practitioners
London School of Economics & Political Science’s Data Science Institute
Cambridge SupTech Lab
BIS Innovation Hub
Innovation Elements was an immersive, action-driven experience. Our approach was rooted in hands-on, problem-solving activities powered by design thinking and solid innovation theory. Participants tackled real-world regulatory challenges, explored global best practices, and created actionable roadmaps tailored specifically to their organizational priorities. Participants also had unique opportunities to see innovation in action and venture out to take in some inspiration in the vibrant and historic city of London. It was an active, energizing four days.
The program was intentionally designed with ample space for informal interaction, allowing participants to form meaningful connections and lasting relationships with peers from around the world. Together, we created a supportive, collaborative community that continues well beyond the event itself.
Across the four days the cohort:
• Expert-led sessions diving deep into key innovation topics.
• Interactive discussions and hands-on workshops with distinguished academics and industry innovators.
• Case studies from leading global regulators.
• Practical workshops to master innovation tools and methods.
• Collaborative problem-solving in a safe and supportive environment.
• Dedicated team sessions to translate learnings into clear, actionable innovation roadmaps tailored for your regulator.
• Inspirational site visits demonstrating innovation in action.
• Informal networking and social opportunities with fellow regulators and global innovation experts.
Each regulator sent a diverse team of four people, including a senior leader and representatives from key functions such as policy, supervision, strategy, IT, or HR. Teams must be gender diverse and cross functional to ensure meaningful collaboration and impact. The AIR team supported the senior leader in selecting the right mix for each team.
• A comprehensive understanding of their organization’s innovation strengths and challenges.
• Practical skills and tools to confidently implement innovation enhancing changes and projects.
• A clear, tailored roadmap for immediate and meaningful organizational change.
• A supportive network of global peers and innovation experts.
When: October 6-9, 2025
Where: Hosted by Wise – Worship Square, 65 Clifton Street, London, U.K.
Cost: $20,000 per organization (4-person team)*
Meals provided: Lunches and some evening meals (for programmed events).
Organizations cover their own travel, visas, and accommodation costs, regardless of scholarships.
*Limited scholarship options are available. Please indicate your interest on the application form. If awarded a scholarship, this is a sponsored place on the Cohort for four attendees only. Your organization will need to cover all other associated costs, such as travel, accommodation and visas.
Applications open: Week commencing 14 April 2025. The senior leader or decision maker should be the applicant (usually Director or Assistant Director level or equivalent). The first step is for the senior leader to apply using the form.
Two-step process: All applications that are under consideration will move to a discussion with one of the AIR team so we can understand more about your priorities and mix of attendees from your organization before moving to offer places on the Cohort.
Your privacy is important to us. To protect your privacy and help you to make informed choices, we provide AIR’s Privacy Policy & Practices notice explaining our information practices and your rights in relation to your data.
Applications for this cohort are closed.
Questions about the program? Contact the AIR events team via email.
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