Like many of us, Anne Boden watched the 2008 financial crisis unfold with immense frustration at the performance of traditional banks. Unlike most, though, she had a computer science degree and a career in banking technology to turn her frustrations into market disruption. So, in 2014, Boden quit her job and started a challenger bank with co-founder Tom Blomfield, now of Monzo fame.

When Blomfield left one year later, Boden rebuilt the business as Starling Bank (rebranded simply to Starling in 2025). Her objective was straightforward: build an entirely online bank that gave customers better feedback through real-time transaction notifications and spending insights. That original mission to create the "world's best current account" has since evolved into a fully regulated digital-only bank offering personal accounts, business accounts, ISAs and – as of 2026 – eSIM data roaming plans and an AI assistant.

The company has now posted five consecutive profitable years, the first UK challenger bank to reach that milestone. For the year ending March 2026, it recorded a pre-tax profit of £217m on revenues of £887m. Total platform accounts stand at roughly 6.2 million, supported by around 4,100 employees.

Boden received an MBE in 2018 for services to fintech. Just over 50 years ago, women couldn't open a bank account in their own name. Starling is the UK's first bank founded by a woman – a legacy Boden has furthered with a strong business focus on gender equality. Boden herself left the CEO role in 2023 to start a new venture, AI by Boden, where she is now CEO.