Emma Steeley is Chief Executive Officer of Infinian, a real‑time credit intelligence bureau, where she leads the company’s next phase of growth and global expansion.
She previously served as CEO of Aro Financial, guiding the consumer‑lending marketplace through scale and sale to ClearScore in January 2025. Prior to that she was CEO of AccountScore for almost four years, overseeing its expansion and acquisition by Equifax in February 2021. With deep expertise in data‑driven consumer credit and fintech platforms, Emma brings a proven track record of driving value, building high‑growth businesses and leading high‑impact transformations.
How did you land your current role? Was it planned?
Having successfully led the sale of Aro to ClearScore in January 2025, I knew I would be transitioning out of the business in the following months. As such, I was looking for my next challenge – a role that would give me the autonomy to shape strategy, drive scale and perhaps most importantly, genuinely enjoy. After the intensity of the exit process, joining Infinian felt like the right next step. It presented an opportunity to apply my experience in growth and leadership within a business poised to expand. I’ve also known Greg Cox, CEO of Quint Group [of which Infinian is part] for almost two decades, so it felt like it was the right opportunity. We’ve always collaborated so I knew it would be a good fit – when the opportunity arose, I jumped at the chance.
What are the key roles in your field of work, and why did you choose your current expertise?
I fell into financial services (like quite a lot of people) and never looked back! I have been lucky to work in consumer finance for nearly twenty years, with my career spanning roles across lending, open banking, credit bureaus and brokers, alongside embedded finance. I’ve established myself in a fascinating industry, and in my view, a key to success in this industry is understanding its full breadth and applying that knowledge across roles. That scale of knowledge certainly helped me in senior roles as I successfully led two companies through exits.
Financial services is such an exciting space to work in, and the past two decades have seen an incredible pace of innovation, which is only increasing – so in my view it’s the perfect time to be building, leading, and shaping businesses that can define the next chapter of lending.
Did you (or do you) have a role model in tech or business in general?
No – my role models tend to be inspirational people like David Goggins – ex-Navy Seal turned ultra-endurance athlete. I tend to be inspired more by individuals who have shown true grit and determination to succeed in their chosen field (such as sportspeople), as I find the psyche behind their success incredibly interesting.
What are you most proud of in your career, so far?
I’ve successfully completed two exits in four years, which is something I’m immensely proud of. I successfully sold AccountScore, an open banking firm to Equifax in February 2021, and then followed up by exiting Aro to ClearScore in January 2025 – it’s a lot of work and to do it successfully twice in short succession was a great moment personally. However, what actually makes me more proud is the opportunities it will afford the fantastic people I’ve worked with – these are global businesses which have provided amazing career opportunities for those involved, so to deliver that is a great feeling.
What does an average work day look like for you?
No two days are the same, but my main priority right now is scaling Infinian. A big part of that is driving product development and innovation, while also focusing on client relationships and new business. I’m also deeply involved in hiring as we grow, managing budgets, expanding our network, and refining our short- and medium-term strategy – all while trying to find time to head out for a run which isn’t easy with fewer daylight hours!
Are there any specific skills or traits that you notice companies look for when you’re searching for roles in your field?
Financial services is a diverse sector, so there are a lot of skills and traits which can deliver success. What I look for is enthusiasm, pace and adaptability – skills which have served me well over the years. I love working with people who want to work at pace, solve problems and work alongside me to deliver, no matter the circumstances.
I’m also a big believer in diverse teams, as research consistently shows that diverse teams outperform homogeneous ones. Speaking from my own experience, projects that brought together cross-functional and gender-diverse teams delivered results faster and achieved higher client satisfaction, driven by more balanced and creative decision-making.
Has anyone ever tried to stop you from learning and developing in your professional life, or have you found the tech sector supportive?
I’ve never encountered barriers to learning or development; however, there have been instances where my capabilities were underestimated, and the level of support provided did not fully reflect what was needed or could have been provided. Those experiences taught me a great deal, and since then I’ve made it a priority to support my colleagues, so they never feel the way I once did.
Have you ever faced insecurities and anxieties during your career, and how did you overcome them?
It’s normal to feel anxious or insecure during your career as it’s a constant learning curve. However, as a woman in financial services – an industry which has traditionally drawn from a narrow talent pool – you do have to back yourself and be confident in demonstrating knowledge and skills. This is something I’ve had to learn, but I believe the most successful careers are built on competency and character, as those will consistently earn trust, open doors and help you overcome challenges that come your way.
Entering the world of work can be daunting. Do you have any words of advice for anyone feeling overwhelmed?
Perspective is everything. We work at such a pace and with so much information and data at our fingertips, it can sometimes be difficult to take a step back and breathe. My advice for anyone is remember what the purpose of the task is and what you want to achieve – from there, take it step by step to reach that end goal and resist the distractions. As long as you are moving forward and learning, you’re progressing. People develop at different rates, and it doesn’t always need to be quick – always keep in mind that every step forwards builds confidence and capability.
What advice would you give other women wanting to reach their career goals in technology?
Keep striving and remember that sometimes the most powerful word you can say is ‘no’. Always consider what you might be missing out on by saying ‘yes’. Ask yourself that question every day and you will gain momentum which will help move you and your career forward.
