The recent Kalifa Review highlighted the importance of FinTech clusters in helping the UK’s FinTech sector continue to grow and realise its significant potential.
This webinar brought together FinTech entrepreneurs from the region and outlined some of the activity being successfully adopted in other regions of the UK via a set of short presentations.
Attendees heard from:
- Elizabeth Corse – Entrepreneur Engagement Manager (South East), Tech Nation
- Chris Sier – HM Treasury FinTech Envoy, Chairman, FinTech North & Clearglass
- Julian Wells – Director, Whitecap Consulting & FinTech North
- Stephen Ingledew – Executive Chair, FinTech Scotland
- Stuart Harrison – Director, FinTech West
Watch the webinar here
Elizabeth Corse opened the event and explained that her role at Tech Nation covers the South East of England, excluding London, but including locations such as Milton Keynes, Thames Valley, Oxford, and Brighton.
Chris Sier gave an overview as to why regional FinTech clusters are so vital in creating a UK-Wide Fintech network rather than a hub and spoke model based around London. Chris explained that the FinTech National Network was formed to bring together the different regional bodies, and he also highlighted that the Kalifa Report marked a real milestone for the sector.
Julian Wells explained how FinTech North was formed in 2016 and has gone on to host nearly 80 events across the North of England, including a number of virtual events. FinTech North has maintained an open and collaborative approach, including helping host multiple international FinTech missions from other countries. He also reiterated the significance of the FinTech National Network, which includes Innovate Finance, FinTech North, FinTech Scotland, FinTech Wales, FinTech NI, FinTech West, and SuperTech WM (West Midlands).
Stephen Ingledew of FinTech Scotland talked about the 3 Cs which form the organisation’s objectives: Community, Collaboration, Cluster leadership. The cluster in Scotland was created with a small number of partners but there are now 28 partners and approximately 180 firms in the cluster overall. Stephen shared his thoughts on how to build a cluster, encouraging the South East to build on what it has, rather than to try to build something new.
Finally, Stuart Harrison gave an overview of the work of FinTech West, which represents the FinTech community in the South West and hosts regular meet ups. Over recent months, FinTech West has formed an advisory board and has developed a strategy and programme of activity to help support FinTechs in the region.
Reflecting on the event, Elizabeth Corse of Tech Nation said:
“As a region, the South East has a real opportunity to create a more connected and supportive ecosystem around its FinTech activity. If anyone would like to be kept up to date about any developments of a FinTech Cluster, then please do sign up to this FinTech South East Group. It’s a private group where anyone with an interest in Fintech activity in the South East can join. Any news will be shared there and which you’ll receive directly in your inbox. Enjoy the recording and do get in touch if you have any thoughts or ideas you’d like to share.”
Following the event, Whitecap (with support from Tech Nation) has offered to host a series of meet up groups in the region, to help build engagement and momentum amongst the regional FinTech community. To find out more, please contact Lal Tawney, Director and head of Whitecap’s Milton Keynes office.
This event was open to all to attend and was recorded:
Watch the webinar here
For any FinTech firms that are not already aware, Tech Nation is currently recruiting for its latest FinTech programme: