Glasgow is set to stage the first-ever national symposium for the fintech industry in a bid to bring together UK-wide organisations to develop the sector.
The ‘FinTech National Network Symposium’ will take place in the city on the 10th of October 2019, hosted by FinTech Scotland, at the University of Strathclyde Technology and Innovation Centre, which has played a pivotal role in developing fintech skills and innovation.
The hosting of the symposium in Glasgow further recognises the development of the City as a major global fintech cluster as part of the broader Glasgow City Innovation District development.
The symposium builds on the announcement earlier this year by Innovate Finance, FinTech Scotland and FinTech North to establish the FinTech National Network to foster collaboration between the bodies and provide valuable connections to amplify their collective support for fintech enterprises.
Over recent months the network has expanded to include FinTech Wales, FinTech Northern Ireland and FinTech West.
The Symposium will bring together senior leaders from these fintech bodies, the Financial Conduct Authority, Scottish Development International, UK Department for International Trade, the Treasury and Fintech Alliance come together. They will be joined by leading fintech entrepreneurs.
This first symposium will focus on various key themes including global innovation opportunities, encouraging greater diversity, regulatory landscape as well as the developing of collaboration across the various bodies to support fintech growth and innovation. The meeting will also focus on setting goals for the FinTech National Network so the various bodies can work together to encourage fintech growth and innovation.
The Symposium will be followed in the day by the latest meeting between the various fintech bodies building on the very successful initial meeting and networking event held in June in Manchester hosted by FinTech North. The meeting will be focusing on the rolling programme of activities to support collaborative fintech innovation in all parts of the UK.
Stephen Ingledew, CEO of FinTech Scotland, said: “It’s a great honour to be hosting the first symposium of the FinTech National Network with the fast-growing fintech community in Glasgow. We’re delighted at the prospect of showcasing the great collaboration, innovation and inclusion opportunities offered by our vibrant ecosystem.”
Charlotte Crosswell, CEO of Innovate Finance, said: “The UK is a world leader in FinTech, but in order to develop and grow further, it is vital that we connect hubs around the country. Innovate Finance is committed to ensuring that innovation in Financial Services is represented across the UK and not just London.”
Chris Sier, HM Treasury FinTech Envoy & Chairman, FinTech North said: “I’m delighted to see the different regional ecosystems around the UK coming together via the FinTech National Network. A collaborative and open approach is the route to success and the national FinTech sector will be stronger thanks to this initiative.”
Sir Jim MacDonald, Principal and Vice Chancellor at the University of Strathclyde, said: “Strathclyde University is delighted to host the first-ever UK FinTech National Network Symposium at our Technology Innovation Centre, located in the heart of the Glasgow City Innovation District (GCID). Strathclyde is firmly committed to supporting the growth of the FinTech community and Glasgow is very well placed to contribute to the success of the fintech cluster given both the numbers of entrepreneurial FinTech start-ups, access to world-class research and talent, and the growing presence of large global financial services companies who are making significant investments in the city which will bring new technologies, new products, new jobs and economic growth.”
Those interesting in attending the symposium can register using this link