Starling Bank founder Anne Boden and Stemettes co-founder Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon become the latest to join BIMA’s prestigious Hall of Fame.
Every year, the (BIMA) British Interactive Media Association inducts two new members to its Hall of Fame. These are the people who have helped transform their industry, reinventing ‘the art of the possible’ by thinking and doing things differently. This year’s additions join previous luminaries including Martha Lane-Fox, Dame Stephanie Shirley CH, Sir Martin Sorrell and 2019 inductees Dame Carolyn McCall, CEO of ITV and entrepreneur and investor Sherry Coutu CBE.
Dr Anne-Marie Imafidon MBE is co-founder of Stemettes, the award-winning social enterprise inspiring the next generation of women into Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) roles.
The youngest girl ever to pass A-level Computing and one of the youngest ever to be awarded a Master’s degree in Mathematics & Computer Science by the University of Oxford, aged 20, Anne-Marie worked with Goldman Sachs, Hewlett-Packard and Deutsche Bank before founding Stemettes. Now a sought after speaker and influencer, Anne-Marie hosts the popular Women Tech Charge podcast for the Evening Standard and is currently on the board of the Hamilton Commission.
In 2017 she was awarded an MBE for services to young women and STEM sectors. In 2020, she was voted the Number 1 most influential woman in tech in the UK by Computer Weekly. She was awarded a career recognition award at the 2020 European Tech Women Awards 2020 as well as an honourary fellowship by the IET. In 2020 Dr Anne-Marie was also awarded a Maths and Computing award by the Suffrage Science Awards, organised by the London Institute of Medical Sciences.
Anne-Marie says of her induction: “My technical journey has brought me joy and fulfilment in so many ways for so long. Digital has been my home for as long as I can remember so I’m thrilled to be have been selected for induction into the BIMA Hall of Fame 2020. Bestowed on pioneering changemakers (like my hero Dame Stephanie Shirley CH), I’m proud of my TeamStemette and the progress we’ve made so far, whilst being frustrated at the need for even more change across our industry.
I hope my presence in the Hall of Fame might inspire leaders, managers and folks with influence to value the contributions of ‘Anne-Maries’ in their teams and within their reach. At this point, change is needed for the good of wider society. Chronic underrepresentation in digital isn’t just a problem for digital – it’s a big problem for society and the world as a whole.”
Anne Boden is founder and CEO of Starling Bank, winner of Best British Bank at the British Bank Awards in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
After 30 years working with many of the biggest names in the industry including Allied Irish Banks, Royal Bank of Scotland and ABN AMRO, Anne decided she “wanted to offer people a fairer, smarter and more human alternative to the banks of the past.”
She combined her experience of banking and a background in computer science to create Starling Bank, and she explores the story of its creation in Banking On It, How I Disrupted an Industry. The book – a ‘how to guide’ for entrepreneurs – was recently serialised in The Sunday Times.
Anne was awarded an MBE for services to financial technology in 2018.
Anne reflects: “I’ve always believed in the power of technology for good but it has truly been a lifeline for many during this challenging year. It’s a real honour to be inducted into BIMA’s Hall of Fame and I am proud to be part of a sector that continues to support, connect and help so many.
The role of technology, brave thinking and big ideas will be critical as we look beyond the current crisis and work together to build a brighter future.”
Tarek Nseir, BIMA Co-president said, “Inducting the great and good of our industry to the Hall of Fame is undoubtedly one of the greatest privileges of being BIMA Presidents. And in our final year, we’re truly honored to be welcoming two inspirational change-makers that have shaped our industry. ”
Chris Mellish, incoming president of BIMA said, “Our Hall of Fame represents an astonishing level of inspiration, invention and achievement in the digital and technology sector. It’s no exaggeration to say that these are the people who have shaped our industry and the modern world – and Anne-Marie and Anne absolutely fit that ‘mould’. I am delighted to welcome them to the BIMA Hall of Fame.”
For more information, please contact Rachel Johnson at rachel@bima.co.uk