The Executive Perspective

The Future of AI in Financial Services

08

Oct 2026
Location
Level39
Canary Wharf, London
Event
2:30 pm onwards

Artificial intelligence is reshaping the future of financial services, transforming everything from software engineering and operations to compliance and enterprise decision-making. As AI adoption accelerates, the focus is shifting from experimentation to delivering meaningful business outcomes.

Join GFT Technologies and a select group of senior leaders from leading financial institutions for an exclusive, invitation-only executive forum exploring how organisations are putting AI into practice. Through expert perspectives, industry insights, client stories and peer discussion, we'll examine the trends, opportunities and challenges shaping the next generation of financial services.

The afternoon's discussions will be followed by a networking cocktail reception, providing an opportunity to exchange ideas with industry peers, connect with GFT experts, and continue the conversation.

Agenda

2:30 pm - 

Guest registration and welcome drinks

3:00 pm - 

Welcome/opening remarks

Christopher Ortiz, Member of Group Executive Board, Global Accounts & Offerings, GFT Technologies
3: 05 pm - 

GFT CEO perspective

Marco Santos, Member of the Administrative Board, Global CEO & Managing Director of GFT Technologies SE
3:15 pm - 

Inspiring speaker

3:35 pm - 

Tech Trends Decoded

Dean Clark, Global Chief Technology Officer, GFT Technologies
3:40 pm - 

Between the Hype and the Headlines

Todays real opportunity for AI in regulated industries

Headlines about dangerous AI progress and predictions of catastrophic outcomes can make it difficult to see where the real opportunities lie. What does the evidence tell us, and what should business leaders in banking do next?

David Fearne, AI:DA Leader UK, GFT Technologies
3:55pm - 

AI Adoption in Banking: From Proof Points to Meaningful Outcomes

Where banks are deploying AI today, and what is already delivering impact

A practical look at where banks and financial institutions are deploying AI today, with examples from GFT experience and the wider UK and European FinTech landscape.

Sumant Kumar | Head of FSI GTM UK, GFT Technologies
4:05 pm - 

Break

4:15 pm - 

Panel: Executive Leadership: Building the AI-Powered Bank of the Future: From Strategy to Scaled Value

AI is moving from experimentation to a strategic priority for financial institutions. The next challenge for banking leaders is not simply identifying AI opportunities, but making the strategic choices required to scale AI responsibly, create measurable business value and embed AI into the future operating model.

This executive panel brings together leaders from banking, technology and AI to explore how organisations are moving from AI ambition to enterprise impact, from investment decisions and governance frameworks to scalable platforms, transformed customer experiences and AI-enabled operations.

The discussion will examine how leading financial institutions are building trusted AI foundations, prioritising high-value use cases, measuring return on investment and preparing their organisations for an AI-powered future.

 

Moderator:

  • Krista Griggs, Global Account Director, GFT Technologies

David Fearne | AI:DA Leader UK, GFT Technologies ■ Ashwini Lad | Strategic Delivery Custody (Securities Services), Citi ■ Rickie Glasgow | ECOO and AS Data Officer, Northern Trust ■ Ross D’Arcy | Head of Business Development, Banking – EMEA, NVIDIA
4:55 pm - 

Closing remarks

Christopher Ortiz | Member of Group Executive Board, Global Accounts & Offerings, GFT Technologies ■ Marco Santos | Member of the Administrative Board, Global CEO & Managing Director of GFT Technologies SE
5:00 pm - 

Networking Cocktail

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Got questions? We’re happy to help.

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Christopher Ortiz
Group Chief Executive, Global Accounts & Offerings
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