About Us

Our Story

FinSmart UK was born in 2019 when three finance professionals – James Harrison, Priya Sharma, and Daniel Chen – identified a critical gap in the UK financial landscape: accessible, jargon-free financial education for everyday people. Having witnessed firsthand how proper financial knowledge could transform lives during their combined 45 years in traditional banking and wealth management, they were frustrated by how financial literacy remained a privilege rather than a right.

In the early days, FinSmart operated from James's flat in Manchester, offering free weekend workshops at community centers. What started as intimate gatherings of 10-15 attendees quickly grew as word spread about their unique approach – explaining complex financial concepts in plain English with practical, immediately applicable advice regardless of income level.

The COVID-19 pandemic proved pivotal for our growth. As financial uncertainty gripped the nation, we rapidly transitioned to digital platforms, reaching thousands across the UK through webinars and personalized online consultations. This period solidified our commitment to making financial guidance accessible to all, regardless of geographic location or economic background.

By 2025, FinSmart UK has grown to a team of 18 dedicated professionals serving over 50,000 clients annually across the United Kingdom. While we've expanded significantly, our core mission remains unchanged: demystifying finance and empowering every UK resident to take control of their financial future through education, practical tools, and personalized guidance.

Our Mission & Values

Mission

To democratize financial knowledge and empower UK residents from all walks of life to achieve financial stability and growth through accessible, practical, and personalized financial guidance.

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Accessibility

We believe financial knowledge should be available to everyone, regardless of background, education, or income level. We translate complex concepts into plain language and offer resources at multiple price points, including free options.

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Integrity

We maintain complete transparency in our advice and recommendations. Unlike traditional financial services, we don't receive commissions for promoting specific products, ensuring our guidance is always in your best interest.

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Empowerment

Rather than creating dependency, we equip clients with the knowledge and tools to make informed financial decisions independently. Our success is measured by our clients' growing confidence in managing their own finances.

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Evidence-Based

Our recommendations are grounded in data and research rather than trends or speculation. We continuously analyze financial markets, economic indicators, and policy changes to ensure our advice remains current and effective.

Meet Our Team

Our diverse team brings together decades of experience from banking, investment management, financial education, and consumer advocacy. United by a passion for financial empowerment, we combine technical expertise with exceptional communication skills to make financial concepts accessible to everyone.

James Harrison

CEO & Co-Founder

With 18 years in wealth management at leading UK banks, James recognized that quality financial guidance was largely inaccessible to average Britons. His expertise in translating complex financial strategies into practical advice forms the foundation of FinSmart's educational approach. James holds an MBA from Manchester Business School and is a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA).

Priya Sharma

Educational Director & Co-Founder

Before FinSmart, Priya spent 12 years developing financial literacy programs for non-profits and educational institutions. Her innovative teaching methodologies have transformed how financial concepts are presented to our clients. With a PhD in Behavioral Economics from LSE, Priya specializes in understanding the psychological aspects of financial decision-making.

Daniel Chen

Technology Director & Co-Founder

Daniel bridges the gap between finance and technology at FinSmart. After developing fintech solutions at several startups and major banks, he now leads our digital transformation initiatives. Daniel's innovations include our personalized budgeting tools and financial health dashboard. He holds a Computer Science degree from Imperial College and is a certified Financial Modeler.

Olivia Thompson

Client Services Director

Joining FinSmart in 2021 after 15 years in customer experience roles at major financial institutions, Olivia transformed our client journey. She implemented our much-praised personalized guidance system and leads our team of financial coaches. Olivia is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP) and holds a Psychology degree from the University of Edinburgh.

Our Achievements

Since our founding in 2019, FinSmart UK has been at the forefront of financial education and empowerment in the United Kingdom. Our impact extends beyond individual clients to influence broader conversations about financial literacy and accessibility.

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50,000+

UK residents empowered with financial skills annually through our workshops, webinars, and personalized coaching sessions

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£25M+

Total debt reduced by our clients in 2024 through implementation of our structured debt management strategies

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42%

Average increase in monthly savings rate achieved by clients within six months of implementing our budgeting techniques

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Awards

UK Financial Education Provider of the Year (2023, 2024)
Innovation in Financial Literacy - FinTech Breakthrough Awards (2024)
Top 20 Finance Apps in the UK - App Store Recognition (2023)

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Technology

Our proprietary budgeting and investment simulation tools have been licensed to 12 educational institutions across the UK

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Media Presence

Regular expert commentary on BBC, Financial Times, and The Guardian on topics related to personal finance and economic trends

Ready to Take Control of Your Financial Future?

Join thousands of UK residents who have transformed their relationship with money through our personalized guidance, practical tools, and expert advice.