Name: Tom Simmons
Job title & company: Director & Co-founder, Stratinn
Sponsorship Category: Pension Marketer of the Year & Bank / Payments Marketing Team of the Year
Social: LinkedIn – Stratinn
Website: https://stratinn.co.uk/
Why did you decide to sponsor the Financial Promoter Awards 2025?
Sponsoring these awards is a no brainer. We get a front row seat to see some of the best work in the industry whilst also having a rare chance to get our name in front of some of the most influential people in the industry, many of whom haven’t heard of Stratinn yet.
These awards place a spotlight on new thinking and brilliant execution, and we’ve got the privilege of peeking behind the curtain at what the most talented marketers are up to right now, whether it’s clever pension engagement strategies, insurance brand campaigns or breakthrough payment product launches.
It inspires us in what we do with clients, gives us an opportunity to learn whilst also staying close to the people who deliver it. There’s no substitute for seeing excellent work up close. Also, let’s be honest, we’re marketers too. This is a great opportunity to get Stratinn out there to the strongest leaders and teams in the industry.
While we already collaborate with a few on the shortlists, we believe the connections made here are going to be where we find partners to do work that will truly shape how the industry operates and is viewed over the next 5 years. There aren’t many events you can say that about.
It’s a unique evening and I don’t think there really is any other awards evening quite as focused on celebrating financial services marketing excellence. And for us as a business that specialises in supporting marketers, specifically in financial services, there’s no better awards event to be a part of.
What makes this award category meaningful to you?
We’re over the moon to be sponsoring these two categories (pensions marketer and banking/payments marketing team) because we’ve seen how marketing in these spaces is a tricky, often overlooked yet crucial function. Take pensions. Current industry reforms mean marketers will have an increasing opportunity to step up and help pension firms rethink how they influence people’s behaviour for the better.
It’s not just about building awareness of a brand, it’s about helping individuals take action to save for their futures, steering the industry away from a potential retirement crisis, and making a positive impact on people’s lives.
That kind of influence is powerful, and it’s something marketers hold the keys to. On the banking and payments front, this is where Stratinn’s roots are. We know from experience that there is a huge amount of product complexity and market disruption to deal with. The marketers who thrive here are the ones who can translate this complexity into messages that genuinely engage business and consumer audiences.
Helping people understand their finances or showing businesses how payments can drive growth is no small feat and takes the skills of a pretty special marketeer. For us, sponsoring these two awards is a way of celebrating those who tackle some of the most challenging parts of the sector. Highlight those who aren’t just thinking of great creative execution but understand what they do can fundamentally change what organisations in these industries can achieve.
What does being part of the Financial Promoter community mean to your organisation, and why is supporting this network important?
Being part of the Financial Promoter community genuinely matters to us. From being involved in the very first FP Live! event, we’ve seen first hand how this community is a place where some of the industry’s sharpest marketing minds come together, swap ideas, and lift the whole sector up.
Supporting this network means we can contribute to a shared ambition, seeing marketing take its rightful place at the heart of financial services. It’s not just about being the “mouthpiece” but having the voice and credibility to influence what FS businesses actually do, affecting decisions that really drive growth. We want to help more marketers influence business strategy, operations, product, and service. Bringing the closeness we all have to our customers into those conversations.
That’s why we got into this business in the first place. If, through connections in this community, we can support teams and leaders to play that bigger role and make more of that happen then we know the industry will be better for it.
What are you most looking forward to about the gala in November?
Very cliché but it must be putting faces to all the names we’ve seen in the submissions. Having read all about the great work, I’m really excited to meet those who have delivered it and to not only talk about the highs, lows, ins and outs of the work itself but have a chance to get to know all the individuals and teams behind it.
And in all honesty, who isn’t up for a great party, especially one hosted at the Honourable Artillery Company. Interestingly, it isn’t just an incredible venue but also one that’s close to our founding team’s heart, given Fin’s previous service in the British Army Reserves. It promises to be a brilliant evening. Plus, who are we to turn down a champagne reception with some of the best minds in the business?
How do you and your team celebrate success (big or small)?
For us, as a small business, we know our families feel the ups and downs nearly as much as the team. Therefore, most of the time our celebrations usually involve doing something with partners and kids so we can all recognise a win together. However, there is also a cheeky team whiskey (regardless of time of day) if one of the team secures a new client or project…a tradition we’ve had from day 1.
Are you a sponsor and would like to get involved?
Please email Megan McCabe, Marketing Manager, at megan.mccabe@rhoticmedia.com.