Intelligent CIO Europe Issue 38 | Page 81

On the lighter side of things , we ask the industry experts what makes them tick . . . .

. . . GET TO KNOW . . .

Justin Basini , CEO , ClearScore

wWhat would you describe as your most What memorable achievement ?

It ’ s hard to pin down one singular stand-out at ClearScore . We ’ ve gone from zero to 12 million users globally in five years , and we were profitable after three years – which is a massive achievement .
But the key has been building a product that is truly based on trust . From day one we have been determined to positively impact the lives of our users – to help them build their financial confidence so they can make better financial decisions that will help them get on in life . The fact that this remains absolutely central to everything we do is something I take great pride in . Alongside this , I truly believe we have built a workplace like no other . Our culture is a massive part of our success : we work hard , relish change and treat each other with respect . So , while the growth and the profitability of the business are great , it ’ s the fact we ’ ve never lost sight of our users and our own team that makes me the proudest .
What first made you think of a career in technology ?
It wasn ’ t a career ‘ in technology ’ as much as it was ‘ making a difference ’. My starting point though was my interest in doing the right thing by the consumer when it comes to data . So often consumer data is used unwisely . With ClearScore , our philosophy has always been to find ways to use data to help .
style of management philosophy do you employ with your current position ?
I know first-hand the strain that a working environment can put on a person – so when we founded ClearScore , looking after our team , giving them space to prioritise their well-being and work on their personal development were massive priorities for me . In terms of my role , I really see my job as bringing the best out of others rather than flogging myself all the time – and a big part of that is ensuring we all have well-rounded lives . From an in-office library to mental health resources and a personal training budget , we give our people the things they need – both professionally and personally . We have an inclusive culture at ClearScore , but I think it ’ s really important to lead by example on this and demonstrate to my team how I am balancing my life .
What recent technology trend has emerged and why ?’
It ’ s not necessarily a new trend , but data protection and cybersecurity have massively increased in importance . We saw a significant increase in fraud during lockdown – our own research uncovered over 5.3 million passwords on the Dark Web in just three months and 55 % of UK consumers are more worried about online fraud now than they were before the Coronavirus pandemic .
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