A tech entrepreneur behind FinTech unicorn Cleo has set his sights on his boyhood club Sheffield Wednesday, emerging as a leading voice among fans seeking to revive the crisis-hit Championship side.
Barney Hussey-Yeo, whose AI-powered app has become one of the UK’s most successful FinTech exports, went public with his interest in rescuing the club on X (formerly Twitter) last week.
He wrote on Friday: “Any founder or investor friends a Wednesday fan?
“Thinking about how we might save and turn around the club.
“DM me.”
Just days later, the 36-year-old followed up with a passionate message epitomising feelings shared throughout the Owls’ fanbase after recent movements.
“Sheffield Wednesday is older than Man United, Liverpool, Arsenal, even Real Madrid,” he said.
“Four league titles. Three FA Cups. 157 years of history and a fan base that never left.
“What’s happened under Chansiri is a disgrace. The threat of expulsion from the Football League, like Bury, is real – and we can’t let that happen.
“There are only two viable futures:
“A. A genuine multi-billionaire with the capital for a serious Premier League push.
“B. Fan ownership: sustainable, community-led, built on Wednesday’s academy and loyalty.
“Anything in between, another under-capitalised gamble, risks killing the club.
“Wednesday deserves ambition, integrity, and belief.
“Wednesday till I die. And that day isn’t today.”
A club in crisis
Hussey-Yeo’s rallying cry comes as Sheffield Wednesday face one of the most turbulent periods in its 157-year history.
The club entered administration on 24 October 2025, effectively ending Dejphon Chansiri’s decade-long ownership.
Chansiri, who took over in 2015, presided over years of financial instability, fan unrest and managerial change.
While his early years brought optimism and two near-misses at Premier League promotion – including the 2016 play-off final defeat to Hull City – the latter half of his tenure was dominated by controversy.
The club was hit with a points deduction for breaching EFL financial rules in 2020-21 and were relegated to League One that season.
They returned to the second tier in 2023 following a dramatic play-off campaign, which included a historic comeback win over Peterborough United, but are now under five EFL embargoes.
Wages have also been paid late for five of the last seven months.
Fan protests intensified through 2024 and 2025, with supporters accusing Chansiri of mismanagement and financial opacity.
His departure, while long demanded by many fans, has left the club in a precarious state, but also opened the door to new ownership and potential renewal.
From FinTech to football
But who is the entrepreneur looking to apply the same successful approach to his boyhood club as he has done to his startup?
Hussey-Yeo studied computer science at Manchester Metropolitan University before completing a Master’s in machine learning at the University of Bristol.
After an early stint as a data scientist at Wonga, he was mentored by Matt Clifford, co-founder of Entrepreneurs First, and launched Cleo in 2016 from his bedroom.
Cleo, registered in Altrincham but now based in London, uses conversational AI to help young people manage their money and has grown rapidly, boasting $280 million in annual recurring revenue as well as profitability.
Backed by top-tier investors including LocalGlobe, Balderton Capital, EQT Ventures, and Sofina, the business employs around 400 people globally and has become a fixture in the UK and US FinTech scenes.
Hussey-Yeo has also gained a reputation as one of tech’s most outspoken voices, frequently calling for reforms to make Britain “the number one place to start and scale an AI business”.
A fan with a mission
Now, the entrepreneur’s focus appears to be shifting from AI and finance to football and community.
His public posts have given some supporters hope that there is someone with both the business acumen and authentic emotional connection to steer Wednesday into a new era.
No formal bid has been announced yet, but Hussey-Yeo’s interest could give some fans revived faith in the future of their historic club.
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