On Friday, Fintech Scotland announced its inaugural chairman and its new strategic partners. According to the organization, these appointments were confirmed at the joint Scottish Government and industry Financial Services Advisory Board (FiSAB) meeting chaired by the First Minister, Nicola Sturgeon and Chair of Scottish Financial Enterprise and CYBG, Jim Pettigrew.
FinTech Scotland reported it has partnered with global enterprises that have a strong presence in Scotland as well as being significant international leaders in their fields:
- Deloitte: the market leading professional services firm providing global expertise to help drive fintech growth in Scotland and international hubs across the world
- Pinsent Masons: the lawyers recognized as a global legal leader in fintech and Open Banking
- Dentsu Aegis Network: one of the largest and most respected international digital media and marketing agencies
- Sopra Steria: a major global digital transformation organization with a proven reputation for software, solutions, and delivery.
Speaking about the partnerships, CEO of Fintech Scotland, Stephen Ingledew, stated:
“It is a privilege to be working with such world-renowned organisations who are committed to supporting Scotland’s fintech economy. Following many conversations with a range of large firms over recent months, these strategic partners demonstrated their commitment and market leadership which will support our aspirations and plans. We are currently in discussions with a view to confirming additional strategic partners in the coming weeks.”
Fintech Scotland also reported David Ferguson, the founder and Chief Executive of Edinburgh-based fintech business, Nucleus Financial, has been appointed to chair the board. Ferguson was appointed by The Treasury in December 2016 as one of two regional fintech envoys for Scotland with a remit forbuilding regional and national networks which seek to ensure a greater level of coordination and collaboration between fintech companies, government, investors and regional fintech hubs. Ingledew commented:
“It was essential for us to have a highly respected fintech leader chairing our board and David, who has built one of the most successful businesses in the country managing over £14 billion on their wrap platform, ticked all the boxes and more.”
Ferguson added:
“It is a great privilege to have been appointed as chair of the FinTech Scotland board. Fintech is a fantastic opportunity for Scotland and I am excited to build on the great strides we have recently made to position ourselves as a global leader. The country should have a bright and prosperous fintech future ahead of it and I am greatly looking forward to helping Stephen and the team drive the sector forward and deliver meaningful action to help both start-ups to flourish and the more substantial financial services establishments to modernise.”