Financial Innovation & Technology: ESCP Turin Campus Explores the Future of Financial Services

ESCP Business School's Turin Campus convenes industry leaders to discuss the digital transformation of finance and announces a new MSc programme launching in 2026

ESCP Business School's Turin Campus hosted the event “Financial Innovation & Technology: The Future of Financial Services”, a high-profile gathering of experts from academia, banking, fintech, and digital innovation. 
The event, moderated by journalist Eleonora Chioda, created a vibrant space for dialogue between education, technology, and business, focusing on how the financial services sector is being reshaped by innovation and new skills demands.

Bridging Academia and Industry

Alberta Di Giuli, Dean of ESCP Turin Campus and Professor of Finance, opened the discussions by emphasising the need for professionals who combine strategic vision, financial expertise, and technological proficiency. “The intersection between finance and technology is producing new professional profiles and new ways of creating value. Our mission as a business school is to educate individuals who can not only interpret change but anticipate it with critical thinking and cross-disciplinary expertise,” she stated.

Matteo Camera, Associate Partner at McKinsey & Company and ESCP alumnus, provided an analysis of the trends reshaping the financial sector, highlighting the roles of digitalisation, sustainability, regulatory changes, and the emergence of generative AI. He noted that generative AI could contribute over $7 trillion to the global economy, with significant efficiency gains already evident in banking operations and marketing.
 

Industry Perspectives on Digital Transformation

Matteo Concas, Head of Digital Transformation at Banca Generali and ESCP alumnus, and Nicola Vicino, General Manager for Italy at Revolut, shared insights into their organisations' digital transformation strategies. They emphasised the importance of balancing innovation with customer-centric approaches to remain competitive in the evolving financial landscape. 

Marco Gay, Executive Chairman at Zest S.p.A. and President of Unione Industriali Torino, along with Clelia Tosi, Head of Fintech District, discussed the increasing collaboration between fintech startups and traditional financial institutions. They highlighted the growth of Italy's fintech sector, noting the presence of 596 active startups in 2024, a 29% increase in average revenue, and a strong focus on research and development.

Emphasising Cybersecurity in Financial Services

Matteo Romano, Director of Micro & Small Business at TeamSystem and ESCP alumnus, addressed the critical issue of cybersecurity, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). He reported that 72.4% of Italian companies experienced cyberattacks in 2023, with over a third of monitored SMEs having compromised email addresses on the dark web. TeamSystem achieved €1 billion in revenue in 2024, driven by growth in fintech and digital finance solutions.

Fabio Ugoste, Executive Director of Cybersecurity, Antifraud & Business Continuity at Intesa Sanpaolo and Vice-President of AssoCISO, underscored the necessity of enhancing digital trust and resilience through improved awareness and regulatory standards. 

Launch of the New MSc in Financial Innovation & Technology

In alignment with the event's forward-looking themes, ESCP announced the launch of its new MSc in Financial Innovation & Technology, set to commence in 2026. This full-time programme aims to prepare future leaders in digital finance by integrating rigorous academic foundations with practical business experience.

Targeted at graduates in economics, engineering, or related disciplines, the MSc will offer an international curriculum combining theory, hands-on projects, and corporate collaboration. “The creation of this new programme is a direct response to market demand for professionals who can combine strategic vision, financial expertise, and technological fluency,” said Alberta Di Giuli. 

The new MSc complements ESCP Turin Campus' existing finance portfolio, which includes the FinTech & Innovation specialisation in the MBA, specialisations in Investment Banking, Corporate Finance and Managerial Economics in the Master in Management, the major in Corporate Finance & Investment Banking in the Bachelor in Management and the forthcoming Executive Master in Strategic Finance starting in October 2025, as well as the new Executive Certificate in Executive Development e Financial Innovation and AI.

Turin: A Thriving Innovation Hub

The event reaffirmed Turin's strategic role as a thriving ecosystem for financial innovation, where academia, industry, and technology converge. As the city continues to evolve as an innovation laboratory, ESCP remains committed to educating professionals equipped for the digital future of finance.