From Code to C-Suite Podcast

Build too long without revenue and something breaks. In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down withShihab Khalil, Founder and CEO of Zag Trader, a nearly 20-year-old fintech company that started before the word “fintech” even existed.Shihab breaks down what it really takes to bootstrap anenterprise-grade trading platform, sell into an “absolute conservative industry,” and survive the long cycles of banks and financial institutions.He also shares the founder lesson that changed everything:‘Go after revenue very quickly… if you build, build, buildand don’t have revenue at an early stage, something will break… break even quick, quick, quick. And then once you break even, it’s like the time stops.’ We cover:⁠Why emerging markets reward broad platforms over narrow nichesThe reality of selling enterprise software into conservative banksWhy cashflow becomes the primary concern with noinstitutional investorsThe hidden cost of not hiring senior talent early (technical debt)The shift into SaaS / managed services and what it unlocked for growthHow AI is changing software building for both startups andbig banksThe advice Shihab would give founders trying to compete in fintechThis isn’t a highlight reel. It’s the real founder playbook for surviving long enough to win.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite  📲Connect with Full Name of Guest:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/shihab/📌 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors.

Most people never see what it really takes to build a startup.In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Murtaza shares how he left a high-paying engineering role in the UAE to build a fintech company from scratch, and the reality that followed.He reveals what the journey actually looked like:• Pitching more than 100 investors before getting a yes• Almost running out of money and struggling to pay the team• Walking away from a 30K+ salary without backing or certainty• Why building for people is the only thing that truly mattersMurtaza also reflects on the mental pressure, the rejection, and the conviction required to keep going when everything is telling you to stop.This is what building really looks like behind the scenes.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite 📲Connect with Murtaza Khursheed Hussain:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/murtazakhussain/📌 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors.

Booms are loud. Crashes are honest.In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Halid breaks down how crypto fundamentally changed after industry-shaking events like FTX, Luna, and 3AC , and why regulation is no longer optional.He shares how crypto moved from a regulatory grey zone to one of the most scrutinised financial sectors in the world, and what that shift means for founders, builders, and users going forward.We cover:• Why early crypto rewarded speed over safety• How major crashes reshaped trust in the industry• Why regulation is now defining the next generation of exchanges• What founders must do differently to survive the next cycleThis isn’t about hype or price action.It’s about what crypto actually became.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite 📲Connect with Halid Musa:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/halidmusa/📌 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors.

Fintech looks glamorous from the outside.The reality is very different.In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Prashant Kumar Shrivastava (PK) cuts through the hype to talk about what it actually takes to build and survive a fintech business, especially in regions where nothing works the way the Silicon Valley playbook says it should.He breaks down:• Why building startups is “like eating glass”• Why falling in love with the problem matters more than the idea• How products that work in the US or Europe fail in emerging markets• The importance of humility, learnability, and adaptability in leadership• Why experience alone doesn’t give you all the answersThis conversation isn’t about headlines or hype cycles.It’s about sacrifice, execution, and learning from the people around you.This is fintech without the filter.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite 📲Connect with Prashant Kumar Shrivastava (PK):LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/pk-shrivastava/📌 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors.

Most Muslims want to invest.Very few have the tools to do it properly.In this episode, Liam sits down with Samy Mohamad, founder of Tabadilat, the world’s first global Sharia compliant trading platform, to break down the realities of halal investing in today’s financial system. From professional trading desks and futures markets to riba, derivatives, and the hidden costs Muslim investors face just to stay compliant, Sami explains why the current system is broken and how Tabadilat aims to fix it.This conversation goes deep into Islamic finance, modern capital markets, and the structural challenges no one talks about.In this episode, you’ll discover:• What Sharia compliance actually means in investing• Why halal investment products are significantly more expensive• How derivatives and leverage distort global markets• The hidden labour Muslim investors are expected to do• Why access to GCC and global markets matters• How Tabadilat plans to change Islamic finance globally📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite 📲Connect with Samy Mohamad:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/samy-mohamad-985a263b/📌 Subscribe for more conversations with founders, operators, and investors.

Same situation. Different outcome. Leadership makes the difference.In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Anton Chislov shares what it really takes to build and lead as a CTO across multiple continents, and why success comes down to how individuals respond to pressure, responsibility, and pain.He breaks down:• Why the first five people you hire determine whether you survive• How leadership style is shaped by personality, not just experience• What it really means to take ownership and say, “If not me, then who?”• Why the CTO role is far harder than most people expectAnton also reflects on the realities of leadership across AI, fintech, and startups, and the skills some leaders are born with, while others must deliberately develop.This is the truth behind the role everybody thinks they want.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite📲 Connect with Anton Chislov:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/anton-chislov/Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

Shobit’s story starts with a credit-card swipe, and a moment where he realized something had to change.From failed startups and personal debt to hiring a CEO for his own company so he could stay true to being a CTO, this episode is a masterclass in resilience, focus, and execution.In this conversation, Shobit breaks down:• Why junior engineers should work like seniors• How “fail fast” actually works in real life• Why obsessing over the next role accelerates your entire career• The difference between chasing symbols of success vs. building long-term impact• How singularity of focus can reshape your trajectoryIf you're growing in tech, building a startup, or trying to break through to the next level, this episode is your blueprint.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite📲 Connect with Shobit:LinkedIn:  https://www.linkedin.com/in/shobitkohli/Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shobit.kohli?igsh=MXd5dTlqOGNxcXRuSubscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode, Ellis the disgruntled FX broker who walked away from the industry breaks down exactly how hidden margins work, why SMEs are the easiest targets, and how he walked out of a legacy brokerage under legal threat to build Glide a transparent FX platform that lets small businesses set their own rates and keep their own money.We go deep into his story going from law school to FX sales, witnessing some of the worst practices in the industry, getting served with an angry legal letter, bootstrapping from his parents spare room on the Kent coast, fundraising with no idea how to spell VC, and landing a place on the J P Morgan FinTech accelerator while staying obsessed with one thing protecting SMEs.In this episode, we cover:-How manufactured spreads and margin creeping actually work in practice.-The real story of an elderly woman charged fifty thousand pounds in hidden FX margin.-Why SMEs doing one to two million a year in FX can be paying sixty thousand without knowing.-The exact pain points small businesses face on FX unfair pricing, payment delays, reconciliation.-How Glide lets SMEs set their own FX rate and automatically trigger payments when the market hits it.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite📲 Connect with Ellis:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ellis-taylor-llm-law-596686166/Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down with Mohammad Omar, a founder leading one of the fastest growing EV startups in the region.Mohammad’s journey began in a small village in Lebanon, driven by curiosity, resilience, and a hunger to build. From sleepless weeks perfecting early prototypes to developing technology that can swap and charge EVs in under a minute, his story is one of speed, mindset, and execution.Today, Mohammad is redefining what it means to innovate fast, proving that being quick sometimes matters more than being perfect.In this conversation, he shares hard earned lessons about momentum, rebuilding under pressure, and why AI will complement people rather than replace them.In this episode we cover:• Building EV systems that swap and charge in under a minute• Why speed often beats perfection in early stage execution• The mindset and hunger needed to scale from idea to impact• Lessons from sleepless weeks bringing a vision to life• Why AI is a complement, not a replacement, for human potential📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite📲 Connect with Mohammad Omar:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mohammadomar40/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mohammad0omar/Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Kevin Kilty breaks down what it really takes to build a successful fintech company in the UAE.From AI-driven payments to instant onboarding, Kevin reveals how HubPay is transforming property transactions and cross-border payments, executing at a level where speed, precision, and trust define success.We go deep on:How HubPay opens business accounts in just 24 hoursThe power of stablecoins and automation in financial servicesWhy execution always beats ideasThe brutal truths every founder needs to face in the next funding cycleThis isn’t theory, it’s where technology, innovation, and reality collide.📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite📲 Connect with Kevin Kilty:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kevinkilty?igsh=MXd3dWc1eHV4emdxcg==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kevinkilty/Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down with Karim, co-founder of Flow48, who is tackling the SME funding gap across the GCC and Africa by building a scalable digital lender.Karim’s path weaves through Citibank, Uber, and Fetcher, where he learned the realities of execution, team-building, and scaling under pressure. Now, at Flow48, he’s applying those lessons to empower small and medium businesses that drive GDP but remain chronically underbanked.In this episode, we cover:Why SMEs fuel economic growth yet still face systemic underfundingHow to pace hiring to protect burn and avoid painful reorganizationsWhat Uber taught him about product-market pull and supply-side executionThe mindset shift from corporate “trains” to startup “boulders”Why execution beats ideas every timeHow AI and automation will collapse the cost of small-ticket lendingWhen to take the leap into founder life, and why there’s never a perfect time📲 Connect with Karim:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/karimkhattar/📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuiteSubscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down with Luís Rodrigues, CPTO at Lab49, whose journey spans pioneering AI before it was cool, facing machine guns in Lagos, and learning the brutal lessons of failure.Luís has built and scaled companies across Europe, Africa, and Asia. He helped launch QuickCheck, a Nigerian neobank that grew to over 500,000 customers, and scaled Seedstars into a global firm of 200+ people. Today, he helps leaders across financial services, telecom, and government move beyond hype and turn AI into real, measurable business results.In this episode, we cover:Why Excel still quietly runs the worldHow to spot what not to do as a founderWhy hiring yes-men is a recipe for failureLessons from scaling in high-pressure, global marketsHow to turn AI ambition into real ROI📲 Connect with Luís Rodrigues:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lfrodrigues/📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn (Podcast): https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuiteSubscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down with Adam, co-founder of SoliChain and co-author of multiple Ethereum standards.Adam’s journey began with mining bitcoins in the early days, when 200 BTC seemed almost worthless and electricity bills forced him to stash mining rigs at a friend’s house. From working 120-hour weeks to helping over 50 Web3 startups go from zero to deployed, his story is one of resilience, innovation, and an unshakable belief in the power of technology.Today, Adam is known for turning complexity into clean architecture and delivering when it matters most. In this conversation, he shares candid lessons about embracing failure, building in Web3, and what it takes to scale ideas into reality.In this episode we cover:Mining bitcoins in the early days before crypto went mainstreamThe realities of working 100+ hour weeks to chase an ideaHelping 50+ startups build and launch in Web3Why failure is essential for growth and innovationThe mindset needed to build clean architecture under pressure📲 Connect with Adam:LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/adam-boudjemaa/📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite?_t=ZS-8yVxv9Ldphc&_r=1Subscribe and turn on notifications so you never miss new episodes featuring the leaders shaping the future of technology.

In this episode, Liam sits down with Sergei Rakov, Director of Technology & AI at Binghatti, one of the UAE’s most innovative real estate brands.Sergei’s journey spans from contributing to spaceship projects in Russia to pioneering computer vision AI designed to detect cheating during exams. He shares a deep dive into the Russian tech landscape, highlighting how language barriers impact talent acquisition and project execution.In this episode we cover:The story behind launching AI that monitors exam integrityUnique challenges and strengths of the Russian technology sectorNavigating cultural differences and building effective global teamsPractical advice for evolving leadership and career growth📲 Connect with Sergei Rakov:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/rakov.pro?igsh=MTZiNmU1bXA2bGpvNA==LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sergei-rakov?utm_source=share&utm_campaign=share_via&utm_content=profile&utm_medium=ios_appTikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@rakov.pro?_t=ZS-8yVxpVKUSCD&_r=1Website: https://www.rakov.pro/📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/from-code-to-c-suite/TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@code.to.csuite?_t=ZS-8yVxv9Ldphc&_r=1Subscribe and turn on notifications so you don’t miss future episodes exploring the journeys of tech leaders moving from code to the C-suite.

In this episode, Liam is joined by Khalil Alami, CEO of Telr, an award-winning online payment gateway operating across the GCC. With more than two decades of experience in fintech, payments, and financial services, Khalil has built and led high-performing teams while earning recognition from Forbes Middle East and LinkedIn’s Top 23 Influential Figures.Khalil shares his philosophy on leadership, creating a strong top-down culture, learning from failure, and knowing when to pivot. He also reflects on why removing sentiment from business is one of the most difficult, but necessary, lessons every founder must learn.In this episode, we cover:* How Khalil built and scaled Telr into one of the leading payment gateways in the GCC* The role of top-down culture in high-performing teams* Why failure, adaptation, and pivoting are essential skills for founders* The danger of sentimentality in business decision-making* Lessons from 23+ years in fintech, payments, and financial services* What it takes to lead in a rapidly evolving tech landscape📲 Connect with Khalil Alami:-LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/khalilalami/-Website: telr.com📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland and From Code to C-Suite:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/From Code to C-Suite: https://linktr.ee/Fromcodetoc_suiteWhether you're in fintech, scaling a startup, or stepping into leadership for the first time, this episode offers timeless, practical advice.

n this episode of From Code to C-Suite, Liam sits down with Ritesh Kumar, a seasoned CTO who has built and led high-performing engineering teams across Berlin, New York, Jakarta, and now Dubai. With experience scaling platforms that serve millions and managing teams of over 100 engineers, Ritesh shares his journey through the fintech and AI landscapes—offering sharp insights into global tech leadership, strategy, and execution.Whether you're an aspiring CTO, a software engineer aiming for leadership, or a founder shaping your tech team, this episode delivers practical lessons from someone who’s led at scale.📌 Topics Covered:Scaling engineering teams across continentsNavigating cultural and operational differencesTrends in fintech and AIBalancing strategy with hands-on execution📲 Connect with Liam Moir-Holland:Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/liammoirholland/LinkedIn:https://www.linkedin.com/in/liam-moir-holland-a194b3158/🎧 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more behind-the-scenes conversations with top tech leaders.