Christine Bamford, voted one of the top ten global Fintech women leaders, has been appointed a Visiting Professor at Edinburgh Napier Business School.

Professor Bamford describes herself foremost as 'a social entrepreneur';  inspired by Muhammad Yunus, "Banker to the Poor", and her own experience working in the Middle East, she founded the Women's Coin FinTech (and Education) Foundation, which has brought the concept of micro-finance up to date through embracing blockchain and tokenisation (digital currency)*.

“We are delighted that Christine has accepted our invitation to become a Visiting Professor here at Edinburgh Napier Business School,” said Gail Boag, Dean. 

“Christine has been recognised as one of the 4 Top women driving crypto-currencies in the UK by The Times, and her passion for inclusive growth has been rewarded by three awards for Stepping Up, the diversity leadership programme she founded in Bristol.

“Christine has also held top leadership positions in Government, as Director - Department of Health and Social Services, Welsh Government - and served on the European e-Health Think Tank in Brussels, as well as being actively involved in the digital skills agenda.” 

Edinburgh Napier Business School’s vision is to provide ‘empowerment, enterprise and employability for all’. A key strength underpinning that vision has always been the strong industry links that ensure research and teaching are applied to the issues faced daily by business on the ground, and the experience and expertise that Professor Bamford brings is perfectly aligned as the School’s academic staff and students explore the forces evolving as the future drivers for growth; including Industry 4.0, the circular economy, sustainability and Business for Good.

 “Excellent teaching and embedded student support have seen Edinburgh Napier University rising fast in university rankings recently,” said Professor Bamford, who is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of People Development and RSA Fellow.  “In the 2020 Complete University Guide, within the MillionPlus group of modern UK universities, The Edinburgh Napier Business School is first for Business Management.

“I am looking forward to working with such a forward looking School and contributing to the development of the next generation of business leaders, aligned with the themes I care about most passionately.”

*Women’s Coin is a member of Fintech Scotland, which is supported by Scottish Minister for Public Finance and Digital technology and includes Edinburgh Napier University as a partner.