Hoddle hires former FCA man Gidla as new chief operating offer

UK savings app Hoddle has hired a new executive from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA).

Gidla spent three years at the UK regulator

John Gidla joins as chief operating officer (COO) after three years at the regulator, where he worked as a senior associate.

Prior to his time at the FCA, Gidla worked for consultancy firm Huntswood and specialised in regulatory development.

Hoddle graduated from the NatWest fintech accelerator programme. Founded in 2018 by mobile app developer Sami Chaudry, it allows users to save with family and friends.

Its major feature is “group holds”, through which users scan the card they want to attach to the hold, and then Hoddle configures the shared savings pot.

It also allows consumers to automatically save through “smart holds”, and save regular amounts through “fixed holds”.

The fintech says it can connect with more than 25 banks through open banking, and it allows the loading of multiple cards onto an account, like a payments wallet.

The app is currently running in beta mode. The fintech has not disclosed any fundraising since its foundation in 2018.