Tim Heard

Tim Heard is the Ventures Manager at 11, a company known for its focus on transforming financial services through innovation. With a strong background in fostering cultures of innovation within organizations, Tim is dedicated to empowering businesses to adapt and thrive in the rapidly changing financial landscape.

Professional Background

Tim has spent over a decade in the financial sector, including a significant tenure at a major global bank where he served as the Head of Intrapreneurship. In this role, he was responsible for addressing cultural barriers to innovation, emphasizing the importance of both "hard" and "soft" cultural elements in fostering an innovative environment. His insights suggest that successful innovation requires not only structured processes but also a supportive culture that encourages employee engagement and creativity.12

Philosophy and Approach

Tim advocates for a shift in focus from products to people, believing that innovation is fundamentally a human endeavor. He emphasizes the need for organizations to empower their employees through training and support, enabling them to develop products that meet real customer needs. This approach aligns with his belief in "intrapreneurship," where individual employees act as entrepreneurs within their organizations.12

Contributions to 11

At 11, Tim continues to influence how financial institutions can innovate by integrating ethical considerations into their practices. He argues that neobanks have gained a competitive edge by building their operations on modern ethical standards, contrasting this with traditional banks that often struggle with historical baggage.2 His work aims to help organizations transition from conventional Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) models to more integrated Corporate Social Innovation (CSI) strategies, which he sees as critical for long-term success in the industry.2

Through his role at 11, Tim Heard is positioned as a thought leader in the intersection of finance, culture, and innovation, driving conversations about how financial services can evolve to better meet societal needs.