How Two UK Fintech Companies Scale Seamlessly with DNA EOR
Why Two High-Growth FinTech’s Looked to South Africa
Lindsey O’Neill wears many hats across the teams, managing everything from recruitment and HR to people operations and team wellbeing. As the businesses looked to grow strategically without overextending themselves, they turned to DNA EOR for a compliant and low-risk route to access top global talent – starting with South Africa.
“We were introduced to South African talent through a business partner who’d built a fully remote team globally,” explains Lindsey. “He couldn’t speak highly enough of the quality, skill set, and work ethic coming out of South Africa, and he was right.”
Overview
Two UK-based financial services brands focused on credit, lending, and payment solutions for modern consumers.
Hire skilled, remote operational staff to support scaling teams across two brands – without setting up a legal entity or navigating South African labour laws independently.
South Africa, based on a trusted referral and recognition of the country’s strong English-speaking talent pool, high work ethic, and cultural compatibility.
Partnered with DNA as their Employer of Record (EOR) to compliantly hire and manage South African team members across operations, customer success, and finance.
Built a remote team of 15 high-performing employees based in South Africa. Lindsey credits DNA’s support, especially through account manager Natalie, with helping ensure full compliance, team wellbeing, and seamless integration into the business. The first two hires will celebrate their one-year anniversary in August, reflecting strong retention and long-term value.
One Partner, Two Brands, Zero Compliance Headaches
The companies tapped into DNA EOR to build a remote South African team across multiple functions. Lindsey says the decision to partner with DNA wasn’t just about access to talent but also about the peace of mind that comes with full legal and HR support in a foreign country.
“It isn’t only compliance,” she shares. “It’s knowing you’ve got a local partner who understands the labour laws, who can flag things before they become issues, and who supports the wellbeing of your team just as much as you do.”
From managing employment contracts to helping understand on-the-ground context like load shedding or local policies, Lindsey describes the experience as “protective, supportive, and human.”
Building a Team with Impact
Through DNA EOR, they have hired 15 team members in South Africa, spanning customer success, operations, and finance roles. These hires have helped the companies scale their day-to-day operations without the legal complexity of setting up local entities.
“The volume and quality of talent we accessed through DNA in South Africa is something we hadn’t seen elsewhere,” says Lindsey. “It opened up a whole new market for us, and the team has truly become an extension of our business.”
What the Team in South Africa Is Saying
Lindsey highlights that having a local partner gives the team confidence and support, especially when working across borders:
“DNA acts as our counterpart. They help us understand what’s happening locally, support the employees, and make sure everything is being done right, not just for compliance, but for their wellbeing.”
From Lindsey’s perspective, trust and connection is what sets the partnership apart – giving the team in South Africa a strong sense of support and belonging.
What Lindsey Would Tell Other Global Companies
For any business considering international hiring but hesitant about the legal risks, Lindsey is clear:
“The protection it provides is worth it. It’s a way to stay close to your people, without taking on compliance risk. DNA acts like a consultant and a teammate; you get support, contracts tailored to your needs, and confidence that your people are looked after.”
She adds that time-saving is another huge win for fast-moving companies like theirs: “You’re not second-guessing Google or trying to piece together foreign law. You just know it’s being handled.”
Why Lindsey Recommends DNA EOR
“The support, the understanding of the landscape, the people-first approach, DNA EOR really makes global hiring feel local and personal.”
“What impressed me most about Lindsey and her team was how intentional they were about doing things right, legally and ethically. That’s exactly where DNA EOR shines: we handle the complexity so leaders can focus on their people and growth. It has been amazing to be part of their growth story.”
– Anton van Heerden, Managing Director, DNA EOR –