Kelly Parkhurst

Lead: New Digital CIB, Absa

For the past three years Kelly has been immersed in the world of emerging technologies and digital trends, researching the potential impact on both the Corporate and Investment Bank and its clients. In 2016 she led the world first live blockchain trade pilot in partnership with Barclays and Wave, a fintech that came out of the 2015 New York Rise Accelerator Programme.

Kelly and her team run experiments and proof of concepts with a number of fintechs to understand their solutions in more depth, and to assess the best way to partner and engage with them in the future.

Her previous experience includes; financial planning and analysis at Absa; setting up a fintech business in Kenya and Zambia; as well as television presenting on local magazine show Top Billing. She holds a BA in Live Performance from AFDA, a BCom in Industrial Psychology from UNISA, and is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA / CGMA).