Financial services and customer protection firm Serene has made three major hires for its leadership team.
The London-based FinTech is looking to expand its footprint following an initial investment from Fuel Ventures 12 months ago and recent funding from NatWest.
Serene’s mission is to help retail organisations detect early signs of distress and deliver targeted support.
Ehsan Faridifar joins as chief data scientist, bringing nearly a decade of expertise in the field across startups and NASDAQ-listed companies in six countries.
He developed the UK’s first attrition-based credit score ML product, which secured £20m in funding and was later productised and sold for £45m.
He has been brought in to drive the development of data-driven solutions.
Ian Rathbone has joined as director of engineering and will lead Serene’s engineering operations, focusing on scaling infrastructure and implementing AI solutions.
At his previous role at Talk Think Do, he introduced DevOps practices and delivered AI-driven solutions showcased at BETT UK and DigiGov.
Elizabeth Collins has been appointed as chief of staff, bringing more than a decade of operational expertise in consumer credit and financial services.
The firm says Collins will play a pivotal role in aligning strategic initiatives, enhancing governance, and driving operational efficiency to support the company’s growth.
“We are thrilled to welcome Ehsan, Ian, and Elizabeth to the Serene family. Their combined expertise and leadership will be instrumental in driving our vision forward,” said Savannah Price, founder and CEO of Serene.
“At Serene, we are committed to reimagining financial experiences with transparency, efficiency, inclusivity and innovation at the core.
“These hires mark a pivotal moment in our journey, as we continue to transform how brands and their customers interact with financial services.”
Mark Pearson, founder of Fuel Ventures, added: “It’s fantastic to see Serene’s growth trajectory following our investment last year.
“Savannah and her team have made incredible progress, and the addition of such experienced professionals is a testament to their ambition and the value they are creating in the FinTech space.”