Concordia Magazine 2025

Crunch Time Philip Kelvin (2004–2011) reflects on the factors that

When I began a finance internship programme in my second year at university, I felt out of my depth at times, but I soon learnt that most of what you need to know is taught on the job. My training in History gave me the ability to absorb large amounts of information, construct an argument and communicate effectively — all vital skills in business. There was no single lightbulb moment when I decided to start my own company. It was more a mix of timing and luck. I finished as CFO of a digital mortgage platform in 2021 at the height of quantitative easing and a time when venture capital was flowing to experienced operators. I realised everyone is always learning, whether CEO or the hundredth employee, but once you start something you are committed until it succeeds or fails. I was at the right stage of life to take that risk. To be candid, if a company succeeds the rewards are vested much more in the co-founders than its employees, so if you have the confidence, take the leap! I realised everyone is always learning, whether CEO or the hundredth employee, but once you start something you are committed until it succeeds or fails.

have shaped his approach to leadership, entrepreneurship and life after start-up success. There is no single moment in my time at Merchant Taylors’ School that planted the seeds of my career. Entrepreneurship was not a strong theme at the time. Careers fairs leaned heavily towards medicine, law and finance. Ironically, when I told people I wanted to be a barrister I was advised against it on the grounds that being self-employed was not a great idea. How times change. However, it was the holistic experience at School that mattered. I have happy memories of playing rugby, performing in concerts and leading the CCF in my final year. I even developed some resilience as the U13B hockey goalkeeper, though I wisely retired just as everyone started to become quite good. Academically, I was always encouraged to be curious. History fascinated me, and Mr Bond, Mr Lock and Mr Stott were teachers who brought the subject to life using primary sources and persuading us to think independently rather than just following the mark scheme. From History to Fintech I went on to study History at the University of Durham and later completed an MPhil at Cambridge — not the most obvious route into fintech. But the UK has always prided itself on allowing students to follow their passions at university. When I began working in investment banking the many Europeans around me were baffled that I was not a librarian, given that I had studied History while they had spent years on finance and accountancy.

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