who-we-are-img

Lauren Cassells

Innovation Programs Lead

Northern England

Lauren joined AIR in September 2025 to lead new innovation programs, bringing deep expertise at the intersection of regulatory policy and emerging technology. She designs and delivers initiatives that support responsible innovation in financial services, with a proven track record of success.

Prior to joining AIR, Lauren served as Design Lead in the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA’s) Innovation Lab, where she helped shape the FCA’s Digital Sandbox and TechSprint programs — regulatory hackathons that leverage technologies like tokenization, quantum computing, and artificial intelligence to solve real-world challenges. During this time, Lauren worked closely with fintech ecosystem organizations such as FinTech Scotland, where she led research and innovation programs that fostered collaboration between industry stakeholders to accelerate the adoption of cutting-edge technologies.

Lauren is also a passionate advocate for inclusion and diversity in finance. She serves as Co-Chair of the Women in Banking and Finance UK Shadow Board, is a member of the City of London’s Women Pivoting to Digital Taskforce, and mentors with Women’s World Banking’s Inclusive Tech program. With a strong foundation in fintech, Lauren excels at bridging the gap between innovation and regulation — ensuring new solutions are not only forward-looking but also grounded in responsible and sustainable practices. Her work reflects a deep commitment to fostering a culture of innovation that supports inclusive and long-term growth across the global financial ecosystem.

Outside of work, Lauren lives in the North of England with her partner and their dog, Eddie. In her spare time, she enjoys exploring the beautiful coastline and countryside the region has to offer.