FinTech Wales, the not-for-profit independent membership organisation for the FinTech and Financial Services industries in Wales, held its first event last night in Cardiff.
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Held at The Park House in the centre of Cardiff, the event welcomed over 100 people from the FinTech and financial services industries in Wales. Speakers included Anita Kimber, Digital and Innovation Partner from EY with breakout sessions with attendees from London Stock Exchange, Capital Law, Innovate, EPSRC, Disberse and Angels Invest Wales.
The event also marked the official launch of FinTech Wales, providing an opportunity for the organisation to talk about its aims and ambitions, as well as how it will work, support and champion businesses in FinTech and financial services. As part of the launch, FinTech Wales announced a calendar of free events that it will be organising for its members, particularly targeted at microbusinesses, as well as those in the start-up phase, which will provide guidance on topics such as preparing for investors as well as how-to marketing seminars.
[/aoa]Gavin Powell, General Secretary for FinTech Wales, who closed last night’s event, had this to say: “It was amazing to see such a full house and so many fintech and financial services companies from Wales in the same room.
“There really was a feeling of anticipation and excitement that we are on the brink of something big here in Wales and that FinTech Wales, as a membership organisation, will be right there supporting innovation and collaboration in the sector.
Gavin continued: “To get Anita Kimber from EY, who is one of the UK’s leaders in digital innovation in the financial sector, to share her vision for FinTech in the UK economy – and how Wales is a pivotal and key driver of that – reinforces why we have created FinTech Wales and our pillars for success.”
FinTech Wales also announced its partnership with the digital platform, FinTech Alliance, at the event. The Alliance unites both the UK and the global financial technology sectors and the two organisations will work closely together to promote each other’s activities. As part of the deal, members of FinTech Wales will have full access to the Alliance’s platform where they’ll be able to share a wealth of insight and news, connect with investors, receive updates on the latest policy and regulatory changes, and find the talent required in order to scale.
Launched in April 2019 by Richard Theo, the UK Government’s FinTech Envoy for Wales, FinTech Wales operates as a trade association with member organisations comprising of FinTech and financial services companies headquartered or operating in Wales.
The idea behind FinTech Wales is to help FinTech businesses launch, grow and flourish in a supportive and collaborative atmosphere. It will provide an independent voice for the FinTech industry, both within Wales and beyond, which will help to champion and maximise the potential for all businesses in this sector.
As well as nurturing and supporting those businesses already in Wales, it aims to develop an ecosystem that will help new FinTech companies start-up or scale-up. Ultimately, the goal is to make Wales a leading pillar in the global FinTech community.
It brings together entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, as well as technology suppliers, innovators, universities and public sector bodies. The association has established an Advisory Board of 20 people including representation from Welsh companies such as Credas, Confused.com, Admiral, The Principality and Capital Law.
More information can be found on the website www.fintechwales.org.
