Francesca Carlesi: A Visionary Leader Driving Fintech Transformation
In the fast-paced world of financial services, few leaders embody the combination of vision, resilience, and innovation as strongly as Francesca Carlesi. Currently serving as the CEO of Revolut UK, one of the most disruptive fintechs in the world, Carlesi has carved out a remarkable career spanning investment banking, consulting, private equity, and entrepreneurship. Her journey reflects not only professional excellence but also her deep commitment to reshaping the financial landscape through technology, accessibility, and customer-centric solutions.
This article explores Francesca Carlesi’s career, achievements, leadership philosophy, and the impact she continues to make in financial services and beyond.
Early Life and Education
Academic Foundations
Francesca Carlesi’s academic journey laid a strong foundation for her illustrious career. She pursued a PhD in Banking and Finance at the University of Rome Tor Vergata, demonstrating an early commitment to understanding the complexities of financial markets. Her time as a visiting scholar at NYU Stern School of Business further enriched her expertise in corporate finance and valuation.
Ivy League Recognition
Her academic brilliance took her to the United States, where she earned an MBA with Honours from Columbia Business School. During this time, she was recognised with awards such as the Dean’s List and the Phi Beta Gamma Sigma Award for Academic Excellence. Later, she broadened her scope of leadership at the Harvard Kennedy School, completing a diploma in Leadership and Public Policy.
Professional Journey Of Francesca Carlesi
Early Career in Consulting and Private Equity
Francesca Carlesi began her career at McKinsey & Company, where she spent more than a decade advising some of Europe’s largest banks on strategy, corporate finance, and retail banking transformation. Her time at McKinsey cemented her reputation as a trusted strategist in financial services.
Alongside consulting, she gained valuable private equity experience with Bridgepoint Capital, overseeing complex deals, investment structuring, and serving on the management boards of portfolio companies.
Leadership at Major Banks
Her transition to leadership roles within global banking institutions showcased her ability to navigate highly regulated environments. At Barclays, she served as Global Head of Strategy, Business Planning and Analytics, driving retail banking strategy across multiple geographies. Later, at Intesa Sanpaolo, she worked within the Group CEO’s office, contributing to strategic decision-making at one of Italy’s largest banks.
Her most prominent banking role came at Deutsche Bank, where she became Managing Director, Chief of Staff, and Global Head of Regulatory Affairs. In this capacity, she oversaw worldwide regulatory programmes, including MiFID II and MAD-MAR, leading a global team across Europe, Asia, and the US. Her strategic influence extended to working closely with Deutsche Bank’s Group CEO between 2013 and 2015.
Entrepreneurial Success: Founding Molo Finance
Disrupting the Mortgage Market
In 2017, Francesca Carlesi made a bold move into entrepreneurship, co-founding Molo Finance, the UK’s first fully digital mortgage lender. Recognising the inefficiencies and complexities of traditional mortgage processes, she leveraged technology to simplify lending through instant credit decisioning and real-time data validation.
Achievements at Molo
Under her leadership, Molo grew rapidly:
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Raised over £500 million in debt and equity from leading investors.
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Expanded from a team of 2 to more than 60 employees.
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Built a lending book worth £300 million within two years.
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Secured authorisation from the FCA to operate as a regulated mortgage lender.
Molo’s success earned industry recognition, being included in the Fintech 100 shortlist and winning awards such as Best Online Mortgage Lender and Best Brand at the Mortgage Strategy Awards.
Current Role: CEO of Revolut UK
Leading the UK’s Fastest Growing Fintech
In November 2023, Francesca Carlesi was appointed CEO of Revolut UK, where she now leads operations in the company’s largest market. With over 45 million customers globally, Revolut is at the forefront of fintech innovation, offering products across payments, banking, lending, and wealth management.
Vision for Revolut UK
Carlesi’s mandate is clear: transform Revolut into the UK’s best and most trusted bank. Her focus lies on scaling operations, strengthening regulatory engagement, and expanding Revolut’s services, particularly in lending and wealth products. Her leadership style combines the entrepreneurial mindset she honed at Molo with the strategic discipline shaped by her years in global banking.
Leadership and Recognition
World Economic Forum Recognition
Francesca Carlesi’s influence extends beyond corporate leadership. In 2014, she was selected as a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, acknowledging her contributions to finance and her potential to shape global change.
Advocacy for Diversity and Inclusion
She has also participated in leadership programmes such as InTheBoardroom by Valore D, dedicated to promoting diversity within boards of directors. Her efforts reflect a deep commitment to inclusive leadership and governance.
Personal Life and Interests
Beyond her corporate achievements, Francesca Carlesi is also dedicated to her family. She is married and has two sons, balancing her demanding professional responsibilities with family life. Her personal experiences reinforce her belief in the importance of creating a positive social and economic impact through her work in fintech.
Francesca Carlesi’s Impact on Fintech
Driving Innovation
Through both Molo and Revolut, Francesca Carlesi has proven her ability to harness technology to solve long-standing challenges in financial services. Her career is a testament to the power of innovation in making finance more accessible, efficient, and customer-driven.
Inspiring the Next Generation
As a leader, she embodies resilience, forward-thinking, and purpose-driven growth. Her journey inspires not only fintech entrepreneurs but also women aspiring to leadership roles in industries historically dominated by men.
Conclusion
Francesca Carlesi stands out as a transformative figure in global finance. From her early days as a consultant and banking executive to her entrepreneurial success with Molo Finance and her current role as CEO of Revolut UK, she has consistently challenged the status quo. Her leadership is guided by a vision of making financial services more open, innovative, and beneficial to all.
As Revolut continues its journey towards becoming a full-scale bank in the UK, Francesca Carlesi’s influence will be central to shaping the next chapter of digital finance. With a career built on expertise, courage, and innovation, she is undeniably one of the most significant fintech leaders of her generation.
