By Lora Benson
New CISI Board Readiness Programme, powered by FINTECH Circle, opens with an information session on 12 October 2026, followed by applications for an inaugural cohort exclusively for CISI Chartered Members and CISI Chartered Fellows
LONDON, 22 September 2026 - The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) and FINTECH Circle today announced a new partnership to launch the CISI Board Readiness Programme, powered by FINTECH Circle - a structured pathway helping CISI's global Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows prepare for board, non-executive director (NED) and portfolio careers. A joint information session will take place on 12 October 2026,* with applications opening immediately afterwards for the programme's first cohort.
The CISI's Royal Charter signals the highest standards of professionalism, ethics and governance - exactly the expertise fintech and financial services boards need at the top table. Board readiness is a natural extension of the CISI Chartered designation, and one CISI is formalising for the first time.
The new programme is built on FINTECH Circle's Flagship Board Programme, the fintech sector's first board-specific pathway to NED, Chair and Fractional Executive appointments. Delivered over three months, it combines on-demand training with live faculty-led sessions, Pop-Up Boards alongside practising fintech CEOs, board CV and interview coaching from specialist headhunters, and direct introductions to leading executive search firms. Participants draw on FINTECH Circle's global community of more than 260,000 fintech and financial services professionals. The programme's first cohort is exclusively for CISI Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows, running from 11 January to 9 April 2027.
"CISI Chartered status is the defining standard of a career built on integrity, ethics and the highest professional conduct. We know that many of the CISI’s members will draw on their knowledge and experience in evermore new ways, often in portfolio careers, in which trustee and non-executive board roles are being undertaken alongside their core executive work.
“CISI members’ skills are in demand and increasingly in a digital world boards requires digital insights too. This new partnership with FINTECH Circle is designed to meet these future needs and give our Chartered Members and Fellows a credible, structured route to prepare for board roles, backed by access to a circle of other non-executive Board members, chairs and search firms shaping the fintech sector,” said Tracy Vegro OBE, Chief Executive, CISI.
"Many exceptional senior professionals are ready for a board seat but unsure how to get there. The CISI Chartered designation signals the integrity and governance standards every board expects. FINTECH Circle's Flagship Board Programme adds what is missing: the world's first fintech-specific board curriculum. It includes Pop-Up Boards where members observe and role-play live board sessions with Fintech CEOs, in depth seminars on new technologies such as artificial intelligence and agentic AI governance applied to financial services and direct introductions to leading executive search firms and fintech companies.
“Together, we give CISI's Chartered Members and Fellows a credible, practical route into non-executive, chair and portfolio careers to further empower the growth of the booming fintech sector globally," added Susanne Chishti, Founder and Chair, FINTECH Circle.
*Both CISI Chartered Members and CISI Chartered Fellows can sign up for this 12th October information session here.
Key dates
12 October 2026 - Joint information session introducing the programme (online webinar)
From 12 October 2026 - Applications open for the first cohort (CISI Chartered Members and Chartered Fellows only)
11 January - 9 April 2027 - Cohort 1 runs
What industry leaders have said about the FINTECH Circle Board Programme
"The FINTECH Circle Board Programme strengthens the pipeline of board-ready and advisory talent, helping experienced executives transition into board roles. This is critical for individual businesses and for maintaining UK’s position as a global fintech hub."
Katie Ramsey, Head of the Global Venture Capital Unit, Office for Investment,
Department for Business & Trade, UK Government
"The FINTECH Circle Board Programme plays an important role in closing that gap between the needs of high-growth fintech companies requiring a growth mindset of their NEDs, Executive Directors and the practical experience available at board and advisory level."
Charles McManus, Co Founder and Non Executive Director ClearBank and Co Chair of the
Unicorn Council of Innovate Finance
"The FINTECH Circle Board Programme helps build a stronger pipeline of board-ready talent."
Neil Shah, Head of Tech Sector, London Stock Exchange
"Huge congratulations to the FINTECH Circle Board Programme for establishing this innovative high quality programme. aimed at boosting entrepreneurial scaling capabilities as well as reducing risk. Smart move!"
Patrick Dunne, OBE, Boardelta