Meet Edward Vincent - Senior Consultant, Digital Finance

Edward Vincent

Can you tell us a bit about your background?

After studying Economics at York University, I joined the Bank of England’s graduate programme subsequently spending eight years at the Bank. I learnt a huge amount but eventually realised that being a Central Banker wasn’t really for me.

I then spent 12 years working for Moody’s, the rating agency, analysing commercial banks across Europe. It was a fascinating job (and I also had the dubious pleasure of meeting some of the “big beasts” of the pre-crisis banking era). However, it was also a rotten lifestyle and eventually I’d just about had enough of jumping on planes every week and sleeping in soulless hotels so gave it all up.

I then moved to the FCA and ended up working in its Risk Department (2LoD) which is where I became familiar with payment services. That in turn led me to join Cosegic’s Digital Finance Team.

What excites you about working for Cosegic?

Two things in particular.

Someone once said to me that if I’m told to complete a task I’m far less enthusiastic than if I’m asked to solve a problem. My role at Cosegic is very much about solving problems.

On top of that Cosegic’s ambition and its plans both for growth and, related to that, further technological innovation are hugely exciting. I mean, who wouldn’t want to be part of that corporate journey?

What is the most rewarding part of your job?

I get a lot of satisfaction in helping clients navigate the occasionally hazardous highways and byways of the regulatory landscape and achieve peace of mind when it comes to compliance. It gives me a sense of enormous wellbeing and then I'm happy for the rest of the day.

What areas do you see as the biggest challenges, and what opportunities come with them?

From a Digital Finance perspective the biggest upcoming challenge will be the recasting of the FCA’s safeguarding requirements, which are due to come into effect in May 2026. There will be challenges ahead in terms of implementation but Cosegic’s Digital Finance Team have the opportunity to utilise our expertise and experience to ensure that clients are prepared for the changes ahead.

What are you working on at the moment?

Among other projects I’m helping one client revise their wind-down and business continuity plans. It’s a relatively small firm so the challenge is to create something that is proportionate yet robust. Additionally, and as always, I have a number of new firm applications in flight and, of course, as the team’s resident safeguarding “geek”, I have several ongoing projects helping clients brush up their safeguarding processes.

What is the best piece of advice you’ve been given?

“Don’t slouch boy! Stand up straight.”

Literally and metaphorically, it’s sensible advice courtesy of my former Headmaster, the redoubtable Mr Jenks.

Describe yourself in three words.

Curious. Pragmatic. Imaginative.

Outside of work, what keeps you busy?

I’m a collage artist and carborundum printmaker as well as a keen, if not always entirely successful, gardener.