The 40 coolest people in UK fintech

Samantha Lee/Business Insider/Funding CirclePam Burton, Funding Circle's COO.

Financial technology, better known as "fintech," is exploding in the UK right now, with startups popping up all over the place, doing everything from crowdfunding and peer-to-peer lending to bringing blockchain technology to the banks.

British fintech startups raised $962 million (£676.9 million) in investment funding last year, according to KPMG. London alone accounting for $743.7 million (£523.3 million) of that.

Business Insider has been covering the sector closely and has rounded up the 40 most exciting people in the scene right now.

We looked at who's done cool and interesting things in the past year, including companies that have raised money or grown rapidly. We've also tried to include some of the less obvious names - the people doing great things behind the scenes - as well the faces out front.

The list spans entrepreneurs, venture capitalists, regulators, hackers, and investors. Did we miss anyone? Let us know in the comments. Now check out who made the cut below.

Additional reporting by James Cook and Rob Price.