Interview: Kayleigh Gunner, Lloyds Banking Group, Women in Tech Excellence Awards finalist

‘One of the biggest challenges in 2025 has been balancing rapid innovation with the need for stability and compliance in a constantly changing environment’

The Women in Tech Excellence Awards celebrate the outstanding contributions of women in all areas of technology, from software development and engineering to AI, cybersecurity, and beyond.

Kayleigh Gunner is a technology leader within the Homes Platform team and a finalist in Digital Leader of the Year category. Kayleigh is focused on delivering innovative solutions that simplify and accelerate the mortgage journey for customers. With a strong commitment to customer-centric design and operational excellence, Kayleigh has driven key initiatives that enhance digital experiences and reduce friction across complex processes.

She is passionate about creating an inclusive tech environment where diverse voices are heard and empowered to shape the future. Over the past year, Kayleigh has played a pivotal role in launching strategic products that align with business goals and deliver measurable value to customers.

We talked to Kayleigh to find out more about the company's challenges and achievements over the past year.

Why do you think awards like the Women in Tech Excellence Awards matter? What would winning mean to you and your company?

Awards like the Women in Tech Excellence Awards matter because they shine a light on the incredible contributions women make in shaping the future of technology. They help break down barriers, challenge stereotypes, and inspire the next generation to see tech as a space where everyone can thrive. These awards also celebrate innovation and leadership, which are essential for driving progress in our industry.

Winning this award would be a proud moment for our company—it would validate our commitment to diversity and inclusion and show that we're not just talking about change, we're delivering it. It would energise our teams, reinforce our culture of empowerment, and motivate us to keep pushing boundaries to create technology that truly makes a difference for customers.

What would you say is your company's proudest achievement over the past year?

Our proudest achievement over the past year has been delivering meaningful improvements that truly transform the mortgage experience for customers. We've focused on removing complexity, speeding up processes, and creating a seamless digital journey that gives customers confidence at every step.

These changes aren't just technical milestones—they represent a commitment to making life easier for people during one of the most important financial decisions they'll ever make. Achieving this required incredible collaboration across teams and reflects our belief that innovation should empower customers and set new standards for the industry.

What have been the biggest challenges of 2025 so far and how have you overcome them?

One of the biggest challenges in 2025 has been balancing rapid innovation with the need for stability and compliance in a constantly changing environment. Customers expect speed and simplicity, but they also trust us to keep their financial decisions secure and accurate. We overcame this by working together breaking down silos, embracing agile ways of working, and staying focused on what matters most: making life easier for our customers.

Our people have been the heart of this success. Their creativity, resilience, and commitment turned complex challenges into solutions that give customers confidence and peace of mind during one of the most important financial moments of their lives.

How do you think the industry has changed over the past year and what changes do you think it still needs to make?

The industry has made great strides in becoming more digital and customer-centric, with automation and data insights helping to create faster and more transparent experiences. But there’s still more to do.

We need to ensure these innovations feel human - accessible, inclusive, and built around real customer needs. That means embedding diversity and sustainability into every decision and continuing to break down complexity, so customers feel supported, not overwhelmed.

What do you see as the main opportunities for the industry in the coming year?

The biggest opportunity lies in using technology to make life easier for people, leveraging AI and advanced analytics to deliver truly personalised journeys that remove stress from major financial decisions.

We plan to seize this by investing in smart tools and upskilling our teams, while keeping collaboration at the heart of everything we do. By combining innovation with empathy, we can create solutions that not only meet expectations but give customers confidence and peace of mind when it matters most.

Women in Tech Excellence Awards will take place on 27th November in London. Click here to view the shortlist and here to book your table.