Markets Media spoke with Alice Pocklington, EVP, Head of APAC, Trading Technologies, who won Best in Fintech at the 2025 Women in Finance Asia Awards.

What does this award mean to you and the APAC team at Trading Technologies, especially in such a fast-paced, competitive space?

Receiving this award leaves me feeling incredibly humbled and proud. But it isn’t the result of one individual’s efforts – it’s a direct reflection of the hard work and success of the entire team at TT, both here in APAC and globally.

We’re a diverse team in the region, spread across a vast geography, so there’s a huge emphasis on strong relationships and collaboration to ensure we’re delivering exceptional value to our clients and supporting each other in the process. It means a lot to know our collective dedication is being recognised, and the hard work is paying off.

Trading Technologies has been at the forefront of innovation in trading platforms. What do you think sets your fintech strategy apart in the APAC region?

The platform. Over the last 11 years, TT has invested significantly in building out a single, interconnected,multi-asset ecosystem to connect buy-side, sell-side, and liquidity providers. We’ve also expanded the platform capabilities to extend well beyond O/EMS functionality with solutions for managing the full trade life cycle – including trade surveillance, transaction cost analysis, and post-trade allocation and clearing. The result is a unified, scalable platform delivered as a Software-as-a-Service, with the ability to expand across asset classes and functionality at a relatively fast pace. Coupled with the ability to capture, process, and analyze vast amounts of real-time market data, you’ll find there aren’t many providers out there that can make the same claims.

This is a powerful proposition to our Asian customer base who are looking to consolidate platforms and drive cost efficiencies, whilst also expanding the services they can offer to grow their business. We pride ourselves on exceptional customer service and building lasting relationships. After all, an excellent fintech strategy is meaningless without the trust of your customers.

Fintech in Asia-Pacific is evolving quickly, with unique regional challenges. What opportunities or trends are most exciting for you right now?

There are so many exciting trends to watch out for in APAC, it’s hard to know where to start. Given TT’s long-standing history in trading, I can’t ignore the increasing digitalization and adoption of sophisticated trading tools, which are transforming Asia’s financial landscape. This is particularly apparent as we’ve moved into other asset classes like fixed income and FX where the transition from voice to electronic trading platforms is proving crucial for enhancing operational efficiency and fostering data-driven decision-making.

Data, in general, is playing a huge role in the sophistication of our markets. We’re strategically shifting from simply delivering data to uncovering its tangible value and providing actionable insights. The days of just shuttling data from A to B are over; it’s all about delivering meaningful, tailored insights and extracting real value for our customers. It’s an exciting time at TT as we build out our data platform, leveraging our existing data and analytics tools and looking at new, best-of-breed technologies to power the next generation of market intelligence.

Which leads me on to AI. AI’s accelerating presence is undeniable, both in business and in our personal lives. In trading and capital markets, its applications are immense, spanning from advanced algorithmic trading and sentiment analysis to significantly bolstering risk management and fraud detection. It is an exciting time for any organization looking to harness the power of AI, but it also comes with its challenges, especially around data reliability and governance, particularly in regions such as Asia where regulatory frameworks are diverse and continually evolving. Navigating this complex landscape while ensuring ethical and compliant AI deployment is going to be key.

Fintech is increasingly about collaboration — with exchanges, data providers, and even competitors. How do you view partnerships in driving growth?

It’s quite simple – our business wouldn’t be where it is today without collaboration within our partner ecosystem. Our intent at TT is to take that even further by building a platform that allows clients and third-party partners to integrate seamlessly and offer services that benefit the whole community. This collaborative approach allows us to deliver far more value to our customers than we ever could in isolation.

On a personal note, how do you manage the demands of a high-growth executive role while staying energized and focused?

As a mum of two boisterous young children who command endless amounts of energy, this isn’t always easy! The key for me is being kind to myself and recognising my non-negotiables. I always make time to exercise, to spend quality time with the family, and to rest when I need it. A well-rested and clear mind is always the most productive.

What advice would you offer to aspiring fintech leaders — particularly women — who want to lead in both regional and global capacities?

Firstly, I would say find your voice and be brave. Speak up, ask questions and don’t be afraid of making mistakes – every experience, good or bad, is a vital part of your development and will fuel your future success.

Secondly, be adaptable in your approach to leadership. Whilst a global mindset is crucial, it’s important to recognise that not everything translates directly at the regional level. You’ll need to tailor solutions to fit local contexts, rather than simply imposing a one-size-fits-all approach.

Finally, and perhaps most importantly, build your circle of support. Seek out mentors who you admire or have taken similar pathways, and build a strong network of peers and allies. A shared support system is invaluable for navigating challenges and celebrating successes.