Finance Innovation Lab

Who we are

Why focus on finance?

The financial system affects us all. It plays a central role in some of the biggest problems that our society faces, including extreme inequality, nature loss and the climate crisis, and it can play a central role in the solutions to those crises. 

The UK’s finance sector plays an outsized role in the UK economy, and it has global reach and significance. For better and for worse, it affects millions of lives here and around the world. 

Women, people of colour, people on low-incomes and others from marginalised communities and backgrounds are the worst impacted by the injustices of the current financial system, and are hugely underrepresented in positions of power within it. 

Because the financial system has such wide-reaching impacts, we all have a stake in ensuring it delivers the kinds of outcomes that we need for society, the environment and the economy. 

It’s up to all of us to help build a better, fairer, greener financial system.

What we do

We work to change the policies and rules which shape and govern the financial system, so it can deliver more socially, economically and environmentally just outcomes. 

• Campaigning – We work with others to influence people in positions of power, and to change finance policy and regulation
• Collaborating – We help to bring together diverse networks of people and organisations who share our vision of a fairer, greener financial system. 
• Catalysing – We work to understand the financial system, the impacts that it has, and the ways to change it. 

Our culture and values

As an organisation holding others to account, it is vital we live by the culture and values we seek to inspire in others.

All our work is underpinned by our values: 

• Ambition. Holding true to our transformative vision with bravery based on a fundamental commitment to learning.

• Collaboration. Achieving change with others who share our ambition, being accountable, and acting with humility.

• Empowerment. Acting in solidarity with those marginalised by the financial system, approaching ourselves and others with love and care, and creating spaces where everyone can participate

Equality, diversity and inclusion policy

We believe that diversity, inclusion, equity and justice are fundamental to what we are trying to achieve. 

The financial system, and the barriers which stand in the way of transformative change, are huge; no single organisation can change this on their own. That’s why a core part of our work is building collective power for change.  We can’t transform the financial system without building and participating in a diverse movement of changemakers; and we can’t effectively contribute to that movement if we aren’t also focused on embedding justice and equity in our own organisation, our programmes, and our approach to working with others. 

Everyone is welcome in the Lab community regardless of age, disability, gender, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation. Acknowledging that particular identities are currently underrepresented and marginalised in the financial system, we aim to create spaces where these voices are heard and elevated, and everyone is included and valued. That’s why diversity, inclusion, equity and justice aren’t just ‘something we should be thinking about’, or ticking boxes on. Instead, they are at the very heart of what we do. 

That doesn’t mean that we’re already getting all this right. This work, and our learning in this area, are ongoing. Progress can feel slow – and always feels insufficient – but we’re committed to moving forward, and doing so at a speed which allows us to do this work safely and effectively.