In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells sits down with James Mirfin, who leads Visa’s global risk and identity solutions business. From managing unloved customer portfolios in London to running billion-dollar teams in Asia and New York, James’ story is packed with insight, ambition, and real-world lessons in leadership. He shares how a two-year relocation turned into 15 years abroad, what it means to scale trust in payments, and why confidence without arrogance is a career-defining mindset. If you're interested in fintech, fraud, identity, or leadership, this one's for you.
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Season 2 of Not What I Expected brought us inside boardrooms, across borders, and into the minds of some of the most dynamic voices in payments, risk, and onboarding.
In this highlights episode, host Liam Chennells revisits the turning points, unexpected truths, and most powerful insights from the guests who defined the season — from career pivots and leadership lessons to mindset shifts and moments of real vulnerability.
Whether you’re scaling a startup, steering a global team, or navigating your next big move, these are the stories worth hearing again.
👉 Dive in for a fast-paced round-up of Season 2’s standout moments — and get ready to rethink what success in this industry really looks like.
In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells sits down with Scott Newby, Chief Compliance Officer and MLRO at Shieldpay. Scott takes us on a candid journey from hotel management and rugby dreams to leading compliance and fraud teams in banking and FinTech. He shares real-world lessons from high-risk roles, managing fraud, and rebuilding after a major FinTech collapse. With stories about presenting to regulators, chasing bad actors, and balancing compliance with commercial ambition, this conversation reveals the human side of financial crime prevention—and why showing your workings really matters.
👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Not What I Expected for more honest conversations that go beyond the buzzwords in payments, onboarding, and risk.
💬 Got feedback or a guest suggestion? Reach out to us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamchennells/ and
🔗 Share this episode with someone who’d enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how leaders in fintech are shaping the future. 🎧 Listen, learn, and stay curious.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells is joined by Conrad Lennard, who leads business development for security solutions across the UK and Ireland at Mastercard. From tearing his ACL at Lord’s to studying geography at Durham, attending Stanford, and navigating a pivot from insurance to AI fraud detection, Conrad’s journey is full of unexpected turns. He shares insights on collective resilience, machine learning in fraud prevention, and what it’s really like working for one of the world’s most powerful brands. It’s a conversation about people, risk, and purpose—with a few laughs along the way.
👉 Enjoyed this episode? Don’t forget to follow or subscribe to Not What I Expected for more honest conversations that go beyond the buzzwords in payments, onboarding, and risk.
💬 Got feedback or a guest suggestion? Reach out to us on LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/in/liamchennells/
🔗 Share this episode with someone who’d enjoy a behind-the-scenes look at how leaders in fintech are shaping the future. 🎧 Listen, learn, and stay curious.
🙌 Not What I Expected is powered by Detected, the global leader in frictionless business onboarding.
In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells chats with Aravind Narayan, leader in digital identity and fraud prevention at the London Stock Exchange Group. From his academic beginnings in India to navigating corporate life at Tata, PwC, and Amazon, Aravind’s journey is a masterclass in resilience and growth. Don’t miss this fascinating deep dive into identity, innovation, and leadership.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, host Liam Chennells sits down with Anil Toraty, Senior Director for Risk Business Partners and Strategy at Visa. From entrepreneurial school days to navigating corporate red tape, Anil’s journey has been anything but linear. He candidly shares the highs and lows of his career, from battling mental health challenges to finding his groove at Visa. Discover how setbacks can fuel growth, why honesty is a game-changer in business, and the role resilience plays in career success. Tune in for an inspiring conversation that goes beyond the buzzwords, offering valuable insights on risk management, leadership, and personal development.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, host Liam Chennells chats with Jeremy Nicholds, the CEO of Judopay and former leader at Visa and MasterCard. Jeremy dives into his journey through the payments industry, from leading the Apple Pay revolution at Visa in Europe to driving some of the most well known brand partnerships in the industry. Learn about the innovations that drove the transformation of payments, the partnerships that made it possible, and the leadership lessons Jeremy gained along the way.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells chats with Laura Birch, the Head of Enabler Partnerships, Europe at Visa. Laura delves into her fascinating journey from the world of retail to shaping the payments ecosystem at Visa. With dreams of working in Media shifting into time on the shop floor at Jack Wills, Laura soon found herself in an industry-defining payments team at global fashion powerhouse, Burberry.
Tune in to hear her story and learn more about navigating a career across multiple industries. Don’t forget to subscribe & rate and review the show so we can continue bringing you insights from the industry’s most influential figures
In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam sits down with Neville Lacey, Group MLRO at Equals Money, to explore the intricate world of financial crime prevention. With a wealth of experience in AML and compliance, Neville shares his journey from the early days of his career to his current role, where he leads efforts to safeguard financial systems against ever-evolving threats. Discover how innovation, leadership, and a relentless focus on doing the right thing have shaped his approach to compliance. Whether you’re in the industry or just curious about the challenges of financial crime prevention, this episode offers invaluable insights. Tune in to uncover the human side of compliance and learn from a true industry leader.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells sits down with Alpesh Manji, a leader in global transformation and payments. Alpesh shares his journey from working at Visa to his current role at Barclaycard, providing insights into the complexities of the payments industry. Discover how Alpesh navigated challenges at TikTok, embraced consulting, and constantly pushed for innovation. This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in payments, business transformation, and the stories of those shaping the industry.
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In this first episode of Season 2 of Not What I Expected, host Liam Chennells sits down with Alex Pillow, a key player in the RegTech industry. Alex shares his unique journey from rugby fields to strategic roles at Moody's, offering a fresh perspective on the evolving landscape of compliance and third-party risk. Discover how Alex navigates the complexities of his role, the lessons learned along the way, and his predictions for the future of identity and regulatory technology. Join us for a conversation that discusses the intricate dance of strategy, innovation, and personal growth in the RegTech world.
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Join us for a special episode of Not What I Expected where we revisit the best moments from our first nine guests. This compilation features early career highlights and insightful industry predictions from leaders and innovators across various fields.
Perfect for anyone looking to gain valuable insights into career development and future industry trends. Don't miss out on this special compilation that brings together wisdom and foresight from some of the brightest minds we've had on the show.
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This week, Liam sits down with Jonathan Underwood, a seasoned tech executive known for his strategic and global approach to software platform delivery. Dive into Jonathan’s journey from his early passion for computing to leading major projects for global giants like Google, Cisco, and major financial institutions. Discover the challenges and triumphs of managing internationally distributed teams and delivering cutting-edge solutions across Financial Services and HR.
Jonathan shares insights from his extensive career, including his transition from programming to executive leadership, the impact of events like 9/11 on the tech industry, and his predictions for future technological innovations. Whether you’re a budding entrepreneur, a tech enthusiast, or a leadership aficionado, this episode offers a unique look into the dynamics of technology and leadership on a global scale.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam sits down with the man who's shaking up the fintech world, Rob Lincolne. He’s a visionary making waves across the payments landscape with Paydock, your go-to global payments orchestration platform.
Dive deep with us as Rob shares tales from his diverse and creative schooling days to frontline experiences that changed his life, and how a township in South Africa shaped his outlook. It’s not all serious as there are plenty of conversations about finding happiness, learning from competitors, and making the leap from Australia to the UK.
Rob gets real about the importance of a mission-driven culture within Paydock. Why taking your own advice and trusting your gut can be the best move you ever make.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam delves into the world of identity, technology, and fraud with Gus Tomlinson, Chief Product Officer for Global Identity and Fraud at GBG.
Gus shares the journey from her early days in a rural school through to university. Discover the twists and turns of her career, from post-university explorations to her scariest interview moment that set her on a path to success. And hear how learning to trust the process and how much of life's journey involves stumbling upon luck, people, and opportunities at the right time.
See through the eyes of a leader who's been at the forefront of shaping the future of online security. Take a glimpse into her predictions for the identity and fraud industry, offering insights into the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.
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In this episode of "Not What I Expected," Liam delves into the life of Emma Lindley MBE, a figurehead in identity, data, and privacy. Emma opens up about her rebellious streak and how she transformed the uncertainty that created into a catalytic force driving her towards monumental achievements in the identity sector.
Emma takes us on a journey from her early career challenges to the complexities of finding out what she really wanted to do. She shares the critical turning points that defined her career, leading to her pivotal role in founding Women in Identity - an organisation with over 3000 members. This initiative underscores her commitment to fostering diversity and inclusion in the identity industry, ensuring that identity systems are inclusive and representative of all users.
Throughout the episode, Emma reflects on the evolution of her professional identity, the value of continuous learning, and her efforts to humanise technology. She emphasises the necessity of dismantling biases in identity products to create systems that serve everyone equitably.
With insightful foresight, Emma also offers her predictions for the future of identity over the next five years, painting a picture of a more inclusive, ethical, and user-centric landscape.
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Learn more about Emma via the following links:
In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam delves into the multifaceted career of Pratap Gautam, a visionary in payments and financial services technology.
Despite his academic success in an array of fields from anthropology to astrophysics, Pratap shares the cultural challenges of discussing emotional well-being in an Asian household and the paramount importance of communication in any endeavour.
Embarking on a tech career out of necessity to pay rent, Pratap's journey is anything but ordinary. From turning down an offer from Google to pioneering mobile payments and navigating roles at Visa, Microsoft, and as Head of Product Strategy at Fiserv, his story is a testament to following one's own path.
Pratap emphasizes the significance of integrity and making choices that lead to the best outcomes, offering invaluable insights into building a fulfilling career against the odds. Join us as Pratap Gautam reveals the unexpected twists and turns of his remarkable journey, proving that the most unconventional paths can lead to extraordinary destinations.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, Liam Chennells is joined by Lisa Scott, former CEO at Banked, a global real-time account-to-account payments infrastructure company.
For three years, Lisa has witnessed the growth of Banked, from a tight-knit team of 40 to a thriving community of 130 employees.
Hear about the challenges of meeting constant financial targets, the importance of celebrating small wins, and the unique experience of working in a startup where every sprint feels like a race with no known finish line.
Tune in to gain a deeper understanding of the payments industry and be inspired by Lisa's experiences as a pioneer navigating the ever-changing landscape of digital transactions.
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In this episode of Not What I Expected, host Liam Chennells sits down with Luke Trayfoot, Chief Revenue Officer at Mangopay.
Dive into Luke's journey, from his early years and transformative experiences in Africa to his deep dive into sociology and contract law. Discover how these diverse experiences fueled his passion for fintech and led him to redefine sales strategies in the financial technology industry.
Luke shares insights from his time at Hyperwallet, for being a sports agent of an F1 team, his approach to solution-type selling, and his role in expanding the European market. Listen in as Luke talks about his vision for payments in the next five years, the potential impact of AI in the industry, and the driving forces behind his success at Mangopay.
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Join us in the latest episode of the Not What I Expected podcast as we welcome Harshna Cayley, Managing Director at Barclays, for an insightful discussion.
Harshna shares her remarkable journey starting as a coder to embracing leadership roles across organisations such as United Biscuits, Visa, the International Airline Group, WorldPay, and now at Barclays.
During our conversation, Harshna discusses the dynamic landscape of consumer payments, highlighting the importance of seamless payment experiences. She simplifies complex acquiring and gateway processes, demystifying this complex landscape for our listeners.
As an industry thought leader, Harshna provides valuable insights into the future of payments, exploring trends such as alternative commerce, orchestration, and regulatory impacts on financial institutions.
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