European fintech has a culture problem

Fintech reporter Damisola Sulaiman delved into the culture at Danish fintech Pleo for her recent Sifted podcast. She shared findings from interviews with seven former employees who described a shift towards a more stringent management style following a leadership overhaul. These insiders noted internal disputes among executives, as well as apprehensions that Pleo's product may be falling behind competitors.

Pleo's founder and CEO, Jeppe Rindom, addressed these concerns directly on the podcast. He acknowledged that growth inevitably brings changes in structure, culture, and approach, which sometimes necessitate tough decisions. Despite these changes, Rindom emphasized that Pleo remains "a people-focused business," proud of its high-performing team.

Sulaiman also explored the culture at UK fintech Cleo, discussing these insights with host Freya Pratty. She expands on her investigation into the broader issue of culture within Europe's fintech landscape. Sulaiman, a reporter based in London, is also the producer of Startup Europe — The Sifted Podcast. She highlights the challenges faced by tech workers across Europe every day, drawing from seven tech professionals who shared their experiences with Sifted.