Meet Autumn’s CEO, April McKenna

A short personal message from our CEO April on her own money journey, and how it has inspired her vision for Autumn

I believe that planning for your future so that you can live the life you want is hugely important for everyone – and it doesn’t have to be a chore! All it takes is the first step to understand where you are now and where you want to be in a few years – whether that’s 10- or 20-years’ time – and then make small, concerted efforts to get there.  

Looking back, my relationship with money started when I was young. My parents helped shape that from a young age. It started with my father’s unwavering belief in education. He always encouraged me to study hard in school so that I could live the life I wanted to – independently and without relying on anyone.  

At school, I developed a natural interest in economics and the financial markets (think Michael Douglas in Wall Street!), and I was eager to learn as much about this fast-paced, constantly changing and wildly exciting industry with all its complexities.  

However, although my family values permeated my working life, there have been times when I have overspent, not planned and have made poor choices when it comes to money. During these times, financial planning felt like a chore and because there wasn’t a convenient and easy way to do it, I deprioritised it.   

That’s why I’m excited and energised by what we’re building at Autumn – a unique intersection where wealth meets health. Autumn is rising to the challenge of addressing the health and wealth issues that people are facing today.

That’s why I’m excited and energised by what we’re building at Autumn – a unique intersection where wealth meets health. Autumn is rising to the challenge of addressing the health and wealth issues that people are facing today.

We’re all living longer, and we want more in our lives. Yet, few consider how our wealth and health are inseparable. Today, people suffer from a lack of awareness to plan for their future, rising health costs and barriers to entry for good financial advice.  

We are building a platform that will allow our users to plan and control their wealth alongside their health so they can wake up in the morning and look forward to their day ahead and the life that is in front of them. That’s how we will make a difference and it is what makes us different.  

No doubt, digital innovation will continue to disrupt the industry and it is my hope that this will allow more people access to financial and health advice to plan for their future.

We are building a platform that will allow our users to plan and control their wealth, alongside their health, so they can wake up in the morning and look forward to their day and all the life that’s ahead of them.

In my life, I feel most empowered when I have control over whatever money I have now, and whatever money I hope to have in the future. Being able to understand how those two things are interrelated and connected – and to see that I am moving in a direction towards that for myself and my family – is what makes me happy. Even before I had a family, knowing these things empowered me.

I truly believe standing still isn’t an option and it’s only when I am moving towards something that is when I feel my best. Just as the adage goes: a bicycle only works if it’s moving forward!  

April has a rich career of over 20 years of experience in investment banking across Europe and Asia Pacific. She’s passionate about building innovative tools to improve transparency in financial markets, in order to inspire more to live their best lives. Outside of work, April is a mum of two, loves to travel and is a competitive long-distance runner.

About Autumn: Autumn is a wealth & health planning platform backed by Standard Chartered Ventures. We offer an impartial and easy way to plan your wealth and health, now & into the future. Build the life and future you want with Autumn – download the app on the App Store or Google Play today.