Sends, a UK founded fintech business that delivers payment tools for private customers and companies, featured at the Payments Leaders’ Summit UK, hosted on 20 and 21 October within the capital. During proceedings, Sends chief executive Alona Shevtsova fronted the Women in Business Lunch, pulling together senior women drawn from financial services, technology and wider commercial fields to tackle questions of leadership, career development and what awaits women across the industry.
Unfolding on 20 October inside the InterContinental London Park Lane, the lunch welcomed Maggie Bazemore, Systems Director at Mr & Mrs Smith, plus Beatrice Andreea Sava, Senior Strategy Consultant at Edgar, Dunn & Company, as guest speakers.
With Alona Shevtsova at the helm, panellists unpacked the personal and career turning points that built their leadership approach, considered how mentors and professional circles aid progress, and examined the chances now open to women crafting careers in fields men have historically led.
Much of the exchange turned on how women’s footing within finance and technology continues to evolve. Though representation has climbed lately, speakers pointed toward barriers that linger, mainly across senior leadership and technical functions, and weighed the reforms still required to open up fairer career routes.
“Leadership is not simply about reaching a certain position. It is about taking responsibility, creating opportunities for others and building an environment where people can grow. Discussions like this are important because they allow us to share real experiences, learn from one another and encourage more women to take an active role in shaping the future of financial services,” according to Sends CEO Alona Shevtsova.
Off the back of its London turn, Sends plans to maintain its tie with Payments Leaders’ Summit organisers for their follow up gathering, due to land in Dubai during February 2027. The firm treats the Middle East as a prime market for building industry bonds and chasing fresh openings for cross border work.
Sends keeps cementing its footing across international payments. Back in October 2026, the company revealed a joint effort with UnionPay International targeting growth in both card issuing and acquiring functions. This push seeks to grow the international payment choices open to Sends clients whilst helping merchants reach a larger worldwide customer pool, chiefly across markets tied to Asia.
Away from its global push, Sends stays focused on opening up financial services for small and medium sized businesses throughout the UK. The firm has launched a fresh autumn offer letting qualifying businesses that set up a GBP Business Payment Account also attach an EUR or USD account without paying any further account opening charge.
