It’s a grey, spitting Tuesday in London, the kind of afternoon that makes the glass towers of the City seem to be crying. But inside those doors, in the boardroom of a sleek fintech startup, the air is humming. At the heart of it all is a woman who has spent three decades as the human embodiment of British financial ambition. You know her likely as the “City Superwoman,” a title given to her back in the 90s that has stuck like gum on a shoe. But if you imagine Nicola Horlick a mere relic of the “power suit and glass ceiling” era, you haven’t been keeping up with the news in March 2026.
Right now, the global financial landscape is shifting. We’re moving from the dusty world of gold bars and paper certificates to a wild new frontier of digital assets and decentralised lending. And guess who’s standing right at the edge, holding the map? It’s Nicola Horlick. She’s 65, and she isn’t merely “staying active”; she’s redefining what it means to lead in a post-crypto world. From high-stakes board appointments to her tireless pursuit of social good, Horlick is a lesson in resilience.
But anyway, let’s discuss the meat of what’s actually going on with her at this moment. It’s a tale with more twists than a London alleyway.
The Gold and Bitcoin Pivot: Nicola Horlick New Chapter at Hamak
Here’s the thing about Nicola Horlick: she’s always had a bit of a sixth sense for where the money is moving before the rest of the herd catches the scent. In August 2025, she made a move that raised more than a few eyebrows in the Square Mile. She joined the board of Hamak Strategy Limited (formerly Hamak Gold, listed on the LSE as HAMA) as a Non-Executive Director.
On the surface, a gold exploration firm in West Africa feels a bit old-school for a fintech pioneer, doesn’t it? But look closer at the 2026 strategy. Hamak isn’t just digging for yellow metal; they’ve pioneered a “Digital Asset Treasury Management” policy. In plain English? They’re backing their gold with Bitcoin.
The crazy part is how fast she’s ascended there. Following the resignation of Nicholas Thurlow in January 2026, Nicola Horlick stepped up as the interim Non-Executive Chair. It’s a classic move—stepping into the breach when leadership is needed, bringing that decades-deep institutional knowledge to a sector that many traditionalists still find terrifying. She’s essentially bridging the gap between “hard assets” (gold) and the “digital future” (BTC).
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Still the Champion of the “Little Guy”
While she’s busy with gold and crypto, her “day job” as the CEO of Money&Co. remains her primary obsession. For over a decade, she’s been banging the drum for one specific group: the brilliant UK small businesses (SMEs) that keep getting ignored by high-street banks.
Nicola Horlick’s often argued that SMEs are the lifeblood of the British economy, yet they’re treated like an afterthought by the big lenders. Money&Co. was her answer—a peer-to-peer lending platform that cuts through the red tape. Since 2013, she’s helped funnel millions into everything from music publishers to boutique legal firms.
And she doesn’t plan on keeping that knowledge to herself. She is scheduled to give the keynote address at the Moreton Hall Annual Business Lunch on March 20, 2026. It’s a completely booked event, and for good reason. She’s likely to discuss purposeful networking, of course, and how the next generation of female entrepreneurs can find their way in a market that seems to change every five minutes.
A Life Defined by Grit and Heart
You can’t talk about Nicola Horlick without talking about the resilience. Her personal life hasn’t been the charmed “have it all” fairy tale the tabloids loved to push. It’s been marked by profound, public grief.
The loss of her eldest daughter, Georgie, to leukaemia at just 12 years old changed her forever. It didn’t break her, though—it gave her a mission. Today, she’s the Chair of the Anthony Nolan Trust, the UK’s leading blood cancer charity. Every time she secures a new donor or funds a research project, it’s a tribute to that loss.
Then there’s the story of Nicola Horlick’s husband, Martin Baker. Martin was her partner in every sense, a brilliant journalist and novelist. He sadly died of prostate cancer in late 2022. She is facing the world as a widow while still managing a fintech empire and chairing several boards. Which, honestly, requires a kind of mental toughness most of us can hardly understand. But she keeps showing up.
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The Million Dollar Question: Wealth and Worth
Everyone always wants to know about the money, don’t they? Tracking the Nicola Horlick net worth has become a bit of a sport in London’s financial circles. While she isn’t the type to flash a bank statement, industry trackers in early 2026 estimate her net worth to be roughly $30 million to $35 million (£23m – £27m).
But here’s what the spreadsheets don’t show: her wealth is tied up in things that actually move the needle.
- Equity in Money&Co.: Her platform’s valuation remains a massive chunk of her portfolio.
- Directorships: She holds over 20 active roles according to Gov.uk Company House.
- Property: A significant portfolio in Barnes and Kensington.
For Nicola, wealth seems to be a tool for agency. It gives her the power to say “yes” to the projects that fascinate her and “no” to the ones that don’t.
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Why We’re Still Talking About Her in 2026
So what does she still have to offer? Because she’s a survivor. She survived the ruthless investment banking culture of the 90s, she survived the 2008 crash, and she’s survived personal tragedies that would have sidelined anyone else.
She is currently a trustee for The Childhood Trust — addressing child poverty in London — showing her duty extends way beyond the boardroom. Whether she’s talking about Bitcoin at Hamak or mentoring students at Moreton Hall, Nicola Horlick is the living proof that “experience” isn’t a buzzword—it’s a weapon.
Look, she’s had her critics over the years, and she’s never been one to shy away from a fight. But her thirty-year track record, which still holds in a world of “disruptors” who fall away six months later, is something you just can’t ignore.
Anyway, what do you think? Is she the last of a fading breed of “super-players”, or is she just loading up her third act?
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FAQ: The Quick Rundown
Q1. What is Nicola Horlick doing in 2026?
She is currently the CEO of Money&Co. and the interim Non-Executive Chair of Hamak Strategy (LSE: HAMA). She also chairs the Anthony Nolan Trust.
Q2. Who was Nicola Horlick married to?
She was famously married to fellow banker Timothy Horlick (1984–2005). Her second husband was journalist Martin Baker, who passed away in 2022.
Q3. What is Nicola Horlick’s estimated net worth?
Most financial analysts estimate it to be between £23 million and £27 million ($30m–$35m).
Q4. Is she still involved in charity?
Yes, she is incredibly active. She chairs the Anthony Nolan Trust and is a trustee for The Childhood Trust.
Sources & References
- London Stock Exchange. (2026). Leadership changes and advisory board appointments (HAMA).
- Moreton Hall. (2026). Nicola Horlick business lunch keynote details. Moreton Hall.
- Anthony Nolan Trust. (2026). Board of trustees. Anthony Nolan.
- Gov.uk Companies House. (2026). Nicola Horlick appointments: Active directorships. UK Government.
Disclaimer: This article is intended solely for informational and educational purposes. It does not constitute financial, legal, or professional advice, nor is it meant to promote any individual, organisation, or service mentioned within the content. Readers are encouraged to conduct their own research or consult appropriate professionals before making any financial or business-related decisions.
