If you're building a fintech leadership team, start at tieronepeople.com - executive search for Fintech.

Sam Everington joined Starling Bank ten years ago as one of its first twenty employees. He led the build of the technology that has made Starling a Fintech giant - 4.5 million customers and a 9% share of UK business banking.

Mark Bernhardi leads Engine's growth across Australia and New Zealand, having previously held technology roles at Atlassian, nCino and Westpac.

Both join Dexter Cousins on a special episode of Fintech Chatter Podcast recorded at the World Credit Union Conference in Sydney July 2026.

Engine is the software business Starling spun out four years ago to license its platform to other banks. Sam and Mark explain how Engine gets banks like AMP live on a full core banking platform in under twelve months.

They also discuss the opportunity for mutuals and credit unions to compete with much bigger banks and offer their customers the Starling Bank experience using technology platforms like Engine.

Sam Everington LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/sameverington

Mark Bernhardi LinkedIn: https://au.linkedin.com/in/mark-bernhardi

Engine by Starling: https://enginebystarling.com

Tier One People: https://tieronepeople.com

Dexter Cousins LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dextercousins

Send us Fan Mail

Connect on with Dexter Cousins on Linkedin

Hire Exceptional Fintech Talent

Subscribe on LinkedIn