What should lenders automate? Thomas Power on AI and customer relationships

What would you automate first if you were running an invoice finance business? In the latest episode of Advances: The Receivables Finance Connect Podcast, host Mike Symes puts that question to Thomas Power, a British entrepreneur, independent director and chair whose 40-year career has spanned 60 countries and more than a dozen boards.

Listen to the latest episode of Advances: The Receivables Finance Connect Podcast.

Drawing on his experience building business networks in the early days of the web, Power sees parallels between the dot-com era and today’s debate about AI. He shares a story about using an AI agent to track down a car, then considers what similar tools could do to reduce the time customers spend navigating financial services.

“I believe in automating the parts around the relationship,” Power says. For lenders, that could mean taking routine administration off teams’ hands so they have more time to speak with customers. He also explains why he would start with one small experiment and involve the people who already run the process.

Listen to the full podcast episode below to hear where Thomas Power thinks an invoice finance business should start with AI and where human judgement still matters.

Explore all episodes of Advances: The Receivables Finance Connect Podcast.

The episode brings a perspective from outside the industry to a question on the agenda for the Receivables Finance Connect stream at the Finance Connect UK Autumn Conference 2026. Where can technology help lenders improve customer service and grow?

Join the conversation at the Receivables Finance Connect Conference, part of the Finance Connect UK Autumn Conference, on Tuesday 24 November 2026 at Kings Place, London. Headline sponsored by Dancerace.