Evolutionary Exchanges

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges , David and Freddie explore interest rates and inflation as a key trend in Evolution Partners’ upcoming 2026 Banking Trends Report. They explain what’s driving renewed inflationary pressures and how central banks are responding in an increasingly uncertain environment. The discussion covers the impact on consumers as well as the implications for banks. Whi...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges , David Powell and Freddie Krone discuss why stablecoins are rapidly moving up the strategic agenda for banks, regulators and consumers. Drawing on insights from Evolution Partners’ forthcoming 2026 Banking Trends Report, they explain what stablecoins are, how they differ from cryptocurrencies and central bank digital currencies, and why adoption is accele...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges , David Powell is joined by Jonathan Hay, former COO in global investment banking and a participant in the 2023–24 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race. Jonathan reflects on a career spanning consulting and senior operational leadership, alongside the experience of circumnavigating the globe as part of a constantly changing crew under extreme conditions. Dra...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell and Freddie Krone explore the rapid rise of private markets, focusing on the growth of private equity and private credit since the 2008 financial crisis. They break down how these asset classes work, why they’ve become increasingly attractive to investors, and the factors driving their expansion. The discussion also examines recent high‑profi...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell and Freddie Krone review the major themes that shaped financial services in 2025 and explore what may lie ahead in 2026. They discuss the rapid adoption of AI across the industry, shifts in digital assets and stablecoin regulation, growing cybersecurity pressures, and turbulence in private markets. The conversation also touches on banking M&a...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell andFreddie Krone discuss the growing importance of cybersecurity, especially in the financial sector. They examine recent cyberattacks, the rise of both state-backed and independent hackers, and the increasing use of AI anddeepfakes. The conversation highlights the need for strong digital defences, ongoing employee training, and a culture of...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell andFreddie Krone explore the concept of responsive resilience in the financial sector. They discuss why banks and regulators are prioritising the ability to anticipate, withstand, and recover from disruptions - whether from cyberattacks, operational failures, or global events. The conversation coverslessons from recent incidents, the importan...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell andFreddie Krone discuss the shifting landscape of financial regulation and deregulation. They examine the impact of recent political changes, the ongoing debate between principles-based and rules-based regulation, and the challenges posed by private markets, AI, and global economic uncertainty. The conversation highlights what industry leade...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell andFreddie Krone explore robotic process automation (RPA) and its growing role in business transformation. They explain how RPA differs from artificial intelligence, share real-world examples from banking and insurance, and discuss the benefits of efficiency and scalability. The conversation also covers challenges such as resistance to change...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell andFreddie Krone discuss the rise of artificial intelligence in banking and financial services. They explore the stages of AI adoption, real-world use cases, and the opportunities and risks AI presents for organisations and employees. The conversation covers data protection, regulatory concerns, and the future of work, offering a balanced per...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, David Powell and Alexandra Murray-Tacon explore the global shift in wealth from baby boomers to younger generations. With insights from the UK and Hong Kong, they discuss changing investment habits, property affordability, the rise of wealth tech, and how favourable tax regimes are reshaping global asset management. A must-listen for anyone interested in...

In this episode, David , UK Founder and Managing Partner, and Alexandra , Hong Kong Senior Consultant, dive into the evolving economic and geopolitical landscapes of the UK and Hong Kong. With Evolution Partners’ present in both regions, they explore how global events - from post-COVID recovery to shifting investor sentiment and political volatility - are shaping opportunities and challenges acros...

In our latest episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Hannah , a marketing analyst from Evolution Partners’ UK office, is joined by Alexandra and Anh , consultants from Evolution Partners’ Hong Kong office, to explore cloud migration. They break down what cloud migration really means, the biggest advantages for businesses - such as cost savings, business agility, and AI integration - and the key challe...

Kickstarting 2025, Evolutionary Exchanges returns with another insightful conversation between Evolution Partners’ Founder and UK Managing Partner, David Powell, and Glen Maxwell-Heron, founder of Springboard to the Future. In this episode, David and Glen delve into the key forces shaping organizational transformation, from the strategic decisions made at the senior leadership level to the on-the-...

Join David Powell , Founder and UK Managing Director of Evolution Partners, as he welcomes Glen Maxwell-Heron for a thought-provoking conversation on transformation in this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges . Glen, Founder of Springboard to the Future , shares insights from his diverse career spanning roles as an Engineering Officer in the Royal Navy, a consultant in financial services, and an ent...

In this episode, Senior Consultant Emily Capon talks to Evolution Partners' Founder and UK Managing Partner, David Powell, about challenger banks in the UK, discussing both the opportunities and threats these institutions face in the financial services landscape. David and Emily consider the evolution of banking, highlighting how challenger banks like Monzo, Revolut, and Starling have used technol...

In this episode, Senior Consultant Emily Capon speaks to Evolution Partners’ Founder and Managing Partner, David Powell, about his professional background and how he came to found Evolution Partners five years ago. David and Emily discuss how being able to provide our clients with small, dedicated teams of consultants is a key pillar of our business model. Despite having expanded since its foundat...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, HK Managing Partner Bob Champman, HK Consultant Alexandra Murray-Tacon, and Evolution Partners Analyst Colin Chow delve into the intricate interconnection between financial well-being and mental health. The discussion underscores how poor financial health can induce stress, impeding engagement with support services and perpetuating a detrimental cycle. Th...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Founder and UK Managing Partner David Powell and UK consultant, Emily Capon, speak to Evolution Partners Analyst, Colin Chow, about the future AI use in the consulting industry. The team discuss current discourse surrounding AI, its exponential growth, and how the technology may be deployed within the consulting industry to automate and simplify. Colin al...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Bob Chapman, Hong Kong Managing Partner & Head of Health and Wellness, along with Hong Kong Consultant Alexandra Murray-Tacon bring their perspective to the world of wellness and financial services. Through their podcast, they explore the convergence of health, technology, and insurance, shedding light on innovative ways to empower individuals on thei...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, analyst Caitlin York speaks to Ashna Goyal, our Warwick Business School Student Ambassador, about her experiences of our Student Ambassador Program. They discuss the aspects of the scheme she has enjoyed, the skills she has acquired along the way, and her future aspirations. As our first Ambassador, Ashna has played a significant part in shaping the devel...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges and the second instalment of our '10 Questions with the Team' series, consultant Emily Capon speaks to Hong Kong Managing Partner and Head of Health and Wellness, Bob Chapman. Bob and Emily discuss Bob's journey into consulting, from his degree in music to his first job in the industry. They explore key consulting qualities and how these can be...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Consultant Emily and Analyst Caitlin speak to Carola York, Managing Director in Europe of Financial Times Specialist.  As we continue to celebrate International Women's Day, Emily and Caitlin speak to Carola about how her experiences of corporate life have been shaped by her experiences as a woman, including finding female role models in her industry...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Evolution Partners Hong Kong Managing Partner and Head of Health and Wellness Bob Chapman speaks to consultants Alexandra Murray-Tacon and Emily Capon about the use of wearable tech by financial services firms in the Health and Wellness Industry. Wearable tech is developing rapidly in sophistication; data collection that would previously have been limited...

In this episode of Evolutionary Exchanges, Emily Capon speaks to Managing Partners David Powell and Bob Chapman, consultant Alexandra Murray-Tacon and analyst Caitlin York about our 2023 predictions. They discuss specific events that they expect will transpire this year, including recessions in large Western economies, rapid growth in China, a drop in the value of Bitcoin and Europe reaching recor...