With an FCA licence in hand, a new London HQ, and three UK clients set to go live by year-end, Upvest is entering its next phase of growth in Europe’s most dynamic investment market: the UK. Leading the charge is Symmie Swil, a seasoned fintech and banking executive with a track record of scaling high-growth ventures.
We sat down with Symmie to talk about her ambitions for Upvest in the UK and why now is the time to unlock a new era of investing. For everyone.
The UK is at a pivotal point in its investment evolution. With over 60% of UK adults not currently actively investing, and £430 billion sitting in cash, the opportunity to turn savers into investors has never been more urgent. From the Chancellor’s call to action to the biggest generational wealth transfer already underway, the spotlight is now firmly on how to enable more people to take control of their financial futures.
For too long, banks and fintechs haven’t had the tools to build compelling investment offerings at scale. What Upvest offers is the infrastructure to make that happen – enabling any financial institution to quickly and compliantly launch investment products that meet today’s end user expectations.
Symmie joins Upvest with nearly two decades of experience in investment banking, fintech, and high-growth environments. Her track record includes helping scale Starling Bank’s SME customer base from 150,000 to 450,000 and tripling deposits in under two years, as well as senior leadership roles at Investec and Finverity.
Now, she’s focused on building Upvest’s UK presence and team from the ground up.
“We’re creating the rails for modern investing,” she explains. “Our Investment API, combined with our extensive licence offering and partner ecosystem, makes it possible for our clients to go live with an investment offering in weeks, not years.”
Upvest’s Investment API is purpose-built for the digital-native investors. “People today expect to manage their investments the same way they bank or shop: through seamless, mobile-first experiences,” says Symmie. “Most global financial institutions are still held back by outdated infrastructure or piecemeal solutions.”
Upvest offers banks and fintechs alike the opportunity to meet end-user demand with intuitive and affordable investments: from use cases such as savings plans, portfolios, and fractions to products such as stocks, ETFs, and mutual funds and soon adding further localized tax and pension wrappers (ISAs, SIPPs) and asset classes (derivatives, bonds, ELTIFs).
“Whether it’s a financial institution looking to launch fast, or a large bank needing a compliant, future-proofed solution, we’re here to be the bridge that enables investment innovation,” she says.
At the core of Symmie’s drive is Upvest’s mission: to enable the next 100 million people to invest.
“We’re here to make a real impact: giving people the tools they need to grow their wealth, close the retirement gap, and build financial resilience across all socio-economic groups. That’s what excites me most about joining Upvest!”
Interested in launching an investment offering in the UK or migrating your existing one? Connect with one of our experts today!
Disclaimer: The content provided in this article is intended for educational and informational purposes only and should not be construed as financial or investment advice. Always conduct thorough research and seek professional guidance before making any investment decisions. The past performance of any investment does not guarantee future results.
