What’s in a foundation? In fintech, foundations are spoken about all the time. The foundation for a new, innovative start-up. The foundation for access to payments. The foundation for the next generation of technology in financial services. 

Have the physical roots ever been at the forefront of the conversation? 

For Linoy Kidd, GBM MENAT CIO at HSBC, her foundation comes not only from mixed heritage – a British father and Kurdish mother – but from her access to education. 

Her childhood, spent relocating across countries and cultures, provided a learning opportunity, teaching her to be “adaptable, resilient and open to different perspectives”.

She notes that these qualities have been “invaluable” throughout her career.

Influential figures for Linoy include her mother and brother, who carved out different opportunities with the tools given to them.

She describes how she “should have the same opportunities” as her brother, who is two years older.

Her mother, a highly skilled hairdresser, didn’t get the chance to finish her high-school education. 

“Rather than seeing that as a fixed limitation, she returned to education repeatedly to keep learning and developing,” Linoy explains.

“Watching her persistence reinforced a lesson I still rely on today: learning isn’t a one-time achievement – it’s a lifelong commitment.”

Grounding the foundation for success 

Linoy establishes the five principles that she learned young, what she notes as the foundation of her success. 

“I grew up with a strong set of values that continue to shape how I work and how I lead,” she says.

Similarly, her grandmother – who was never taught to read or write – served as a major influence. 

Linoy remembers: “She would ask her grandchildren to teach her, which left a lasting impression on me – both about the power of education and the injustice of being denied it.

“That experience made education feel deeply personal – it isn’t only about achievement, it’s about dignity, independence and choice.”

Further figures that influenced Linoy include notable names that centre on service and equality. 

“Martin Luther King Jr’s message has stayed with me over the years, particularly the idea that greatness is defined by service and that everyone has the capacity to contribute to a better world,” she notes. 

Having cemented these lessons, Linoy’s focus on education was an important springboard for her career.

A tool that most would overlook, Linoy dedicates her career to her early access to education

“Because I had access to education, I was able to build a career and secure a role at HSBC.” she notes.

Taking those roots, she is proud to see them transferred to a new generation of women in education. 

“Seeing the impact across generations has been especially meaningful,” she says.

“Three years ago, my daughter graduated with a double major with distinction in a STEM subject.

“That combination of personal history and lived experience strengthened my commitment to widening access to education for others.”

Her mindset for focusing on growth starts in her choice of degree: information technology. 

How can you start to make a difference? 

Linoy’s university degree is one instance where she credits early access to education as a pivotal step in the career ladder.

“Early in my career, I often referred back to my notes and course materials – proof that structured learning can provide practical foundations long after graduation,” she says.

“I strongly believe education is a key enabler of opportunity – without it, access to many roles becomes significantly harder.

“In some markets, qualifications are also a formal requirement – for example, without my degree I would not have been able to take on a CIO role in Dubai, where credentials are mandatory.” 

An internship with a European bank is where she discovered her love for banking. 

“Banking requires people to understand complex systems, algorithms and the mathematical models that underpin decision-making,” Linoy shares, “and I found that both demanding and energising. 

“I chose technology because when I began my degree in 1997, it was an emerging and fast-evolving field.

“The momentum in the industry – and the visible competition and innovation among major technology companies at the time – made it clear that technology would shape the future of how organisations operate.

“For me, technology offered the opportunity to build practical solutions, enable scale and create real-world impact – especially in a sector as complex and fast-moving as financial services.”

Technology turns to charity  

Building a career is no easy feat. Having successfully transitioned into CIO roles, Linoy dedicates her time to the Infusion100 movement.

Founded in 2014 with colleagues from HSBC, the movement has built seven schools: five in Africa, one in Haiti – following the 2010 earthquake – and one in Nicaragua.

“These schools have already educated more than 1,000 students and they continue to support communities today,” she says

Linoy’s movement embodies the core lessons learned in her upbringing – access to education can empower young people. 

She says: “At the heart of this work is a simple belief: education creates choice and choice creates freedom.

“We encourage students to learn, build confidence and then decide for themselves how they want to live.

“Through Infusion100, my goal is to demonstrate to women globally that there is no fixed ‘glass ceiling’.

“With the right support, determination and community, we can break through barriers – regardless of background, identity or past circumstances.” 

Mentorship and advice 

Linoy acknowledges that IT underpins the drive behind her passion. 

“I strongly believe IT underpins the business,” she explains.

“You cannot have one without the other. Our role in technology is to remove blockers, simplify processes and enable the business to operate as seamlessly as possible.

“That’s why it’s motivating to contribute directly to strategic priorities.

“For example, the shift to cloud has been instrumental in improving agility and adopting agile methodologies has helped transform how technology teams deliver value – faster, more collaboratively and with clearer alignment to business outcomes.”

Balancing corporate priorities must come with recognition of the responsibility as a leader. 

“You may not always realise it, but the way you show up every day – how you lead, how you treat people and how you keep moving forward – can have a far greater impact than you think,” Linoy says of her leadership style.

In particular, her success has resonated with other women who have similar battles to face.  

She says: “Over the years, many women have come to me and said, ‘Keep going – you’re showing us the way.’

“I remember feeling genuinely surprised when I heard that because at the time I was simply trying to keep pace with everything: my career, my children, my home life and commitments outside of work, including charity work. 

“It was a reminder that visibility matters. Sometimes, simply continuing – especially when it’s hard – gives someone else permission to believe they can do it too.” 

Turning her attention to the next generation, Linoy ranks mentoring as a high priority in her current position.

“That’s also why mentoring matters,” she concludes.

“Mentoring isn’t just a nice to have – it can be a turning point, particularly for young people who may not have consistent support or role models around them.

“At its best, mentoring creates confidence, connection and opportunity.”