Rachel Curtis is CEO of Inicio AI, a FinTech providing software to organisations that supports their onward consumers to complete stress-free affordability assessments enabling them to resolve debt issues or access vital lending.
What does a typical day look like for you, and how do you structure your time?
I’m not sure there is a typical day … the only common factor to my days is lots happening so they fly by! Sometimes I can be working from home, which typically looks like back to back Teams or Zoom meetings talking to my team, clients, partners and investors. I also travel a lot to meet clients, partners and also attend industry events – I typically spend time in Birmingham, Manchester, London, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Those days look like trying to squeeze online meetings in between face to face ones so I can usually be found in a coffee shop or balancing my laptop on a suitcase in a train station!
What’s one myth about your industry or role that you’d like to bust?
Can I have two … firstly that you don’t have to be a deep tech expert to run a tech company and secondly, that most people in debt do want to resolve the situation – they just need the right support to do so.
What does success look like to you – has that changed over time?
My early career was in large organisations and I measured success back then as getting promoted to the next level of role. Leading a FinTech is different – success now is that the business is thriving, the team are motivated and happy and that we are making a difference to the organisations and consumers we provide solutions to.
What’s one initiative or achievement you’re particularly proud of — and why?
At a macro level, Inicio being a thriving Fintech 5 years on … less than 4 in 10 businesses survive 5 years and we did it in the toughest funding environment for 20 years so I’m proud of that.
Specific achievement wise, I’m not sure I can choose between securing investment in the business from Morgan Stanley, winning the UKs largest pitch prize of £1.3m at One to Win or being announced as the KPMG UK Tech Innovator 2025!
What legacy or impact do you hope to leave through your work?
Every day we see people that are struggling financially who have been sticking their head in the sand start to engage and find a way forwards. The change to their life and family opportunities is immense and super rewarding – one young family used our budget tool to sort out their £1,200 debt … it wasn’t a big debt but they couldn’t access the help they needed so it was just growing and they were stressed and feeling hopeless. Our product helped them engage and find a way forwards that resolved the position in just a few months. That’s the legacy … giving people hope and a solution.
What’s the most surprising lesson you’ve learned in your leadership journey?
Not everyone is a good guy. My approach is to typically to assume the best of everyone unless I experience otherwise – on a small number of occasions this has caught me out. I’m a little more cautious as a result but would still like to believe most people have good intentions.
How do you stay motivated when things get tough?
Take a moment and step back. Try and see the bigger picture and get perspective. Does it really matter and what exactly matters? This usually helps me figure out what needs to be done and to get on with it.
What are you currently reading, listening to, or watching that’s helping you grow?
We managed to secure a place on the JP Morgan Chase Fintech Forward accelerator. This is a 12 week programme that covers a wide variety of training and topics and it’s really challenging mine and the teams thinking on some key areas. What was interesting was part of the first day was focussed on personal mental health and ensuring we knew how to look after ourselves. In the fast paced FinTech world that’s not something that typically gets covered so the JPMC team including this in the curriculum was really refreshing and powerful.
Which leader or entrepreneur has influenced you the most — and why?
I’d say a combination of Richard Branson and Barrack Obama …
Richard Branson because of his fearless attitude to business. He takes risks, challenges convention and isn’t afraid to fail, which I find inspiring.
I admire Barack Obama as a leader due to his ability to communicate with clarity, power and grace – even in the most challenging circumstances.
I’d love to achieve the combination of Branson’s bold, adventurous spirit and Obama’s thoughtful, composed leadership to have the courage to pursue ambitious ideas, while striving to lead with empathy, authenticity and strength.
What’s one piece of advice you wish you’d been given at the start of your career?
It’s ok to fail. I was a gymnast and failing (e.g. falling off the beam which I tended to do!) had major consequences so I developed a really strong fear of failure when young. This led to an unhealthy dose of imposter syndrome in my early career which could easily have held me back had I not been supported by some awesome leaders who wouldn’t take me saying no for an answer and made me do it anyway! The best example was being offered my first Bank Board Position which I initially turned down as I didn’t think I was the sort of person you put on the board of a bank! I’ve sat on three boards since and haven’t been ‘found out’ 😊
