The chairman of FinTech Scotland – the cluster management organisation for the financial technology, ‘fintech’ industry – has been awarded an OBE in the New Year Honours List.

Stephen Ingledew, a former senior executive with Standard Life, has been recognised for services to the UK financial technology sector. 

Ingledew has been instrumental in the UK government’s recent levelling up plans for the fintech sector, growing a vibrant cluster in Scotland and supporting regional cooperation.

He formed and led FinTech Scotland in 2018, initally as chief executive, and today it is recognised as one of the top fintech cluster management organisations in the UK and Europe.

Recent examples of FinTech Scotland’s cluster leadership have included the ground-breaking Research and Innovation Roadmap, as well as bringing together the diverse range financial innovation stakeholders to foster collaboration across the UK.

Ingledew is also one of the founders of the FinTech National Network which facilitates collaboration across all UK regional fintech clusters.

In addition to fintech roles, Ingledew sits on the UK Government’s business innovation forum and Scottish Government’s innovation steering group. He is also deputy convenor of the University of Strathclyde Court and non-executive director of Smart Data Foundry.

His career, over four decades, has earned him a track record for being an influential advocate of making the financial world more open, creative and inclusive through innovative initiatives and progressive ways of working.

He said: “I am honoured to receive an OBE for services to financial technology. To be recognised for doing something I am passionate about is incredible and I’d like to take this opportunity to pay tribute to the many people who have provided valuable support to me.”

“It is a huge privilege to be at the heart of financial innovation, shaping the future economy and breaking down barriers and division across the UK, especially with new initiatives such as the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology and Innovation Accelerators”

Living in Edinburgh with his family and enjoying competitive long-distance running as a member of Edinburgh AC, he has recently qualified to represent England and Great Britain at marathon level in the over sixty age group.