The Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has named Ezechi Britton MBE as its Chief Executive Officer. He will start the role in April 2023.
Britton will work with Charlotte Crosswell (CFIT Chair) in order “to deliver on CFIT’s mission to support the next stage of scaling for UK-based firms and to contribute to the UK remaining a global leader for financial innovation.”
CFIT will bring together experts “in finance and technology from across the UK to come up with solutions to the most challenging issues facing fintech firms including how to help firms to scale, how to foster collaboration within and between growing national and regional fintech hubs, and how financial innovation can promote sustainability and financial inclusion.”
CFIT’s establishment was “a key recommendation of the 2021 Kalifa Review of UK Fintech. HM Treasury and the City of London Corporation committed a combined £5.5 million seed funding for CFIT.”
CFIT will officially “launch in March 2023 after which Ezechi and the newly formed team will engage stakeholders and set out plans for CFIT’s first programs of work.”
Ezechi Britton MBE is “a founding member and outgoing CTO of Impact X Capital and was recently appointed as a Trustee for Crisis.”
Previously he was “the CEO and co-founder of Code Untapped, the CTO and co-founder of Neyber Ltd, and also held software developer roles within Credit Suisse.”
Britton’s vast experience “across the fintech industry, particularly with start-ups, makes him well-positioned to lead CFIT.”
His appointment “follows a robust recruitment process, led by a diverse panel and run independently of HM Treasury and the City of London Corporation.”
Policy Chairman at the City of London Corporation, Chris Hayward, said:
“I congratulate Ezechi Britton on his appointment as CEO of the Centre for Finance Innovation and Technology (CFIT). Ezechi carries credibility with his extensive experience from across the FinTech and financial services ecosystem, and we look forward to supporting him with the many opportunities CFIT has in the coming months and years ahead. The active engagement of the UK’s FinTech ecosystem has been critical to the creation of this organisation. Under the guidance of Ezechi Britton and Charlotte Crosswell I have every confidence that vital engagement will continue, keeping up the momentum CFIT have built.”
Economic Secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith said:
“I’d like to welcome Ezechi Britton to his post as CEO of CFIT – which is backed by £5 million of Treasury funding. Ezechi’s breadth of experience across the fintech sector ensures CFIT has the potential to turbocharge growth in UK fintech – boosting investment and jobs across the country.”
Charlotte Crosswell OBE said:
“I am delighted that Ezechi will be taking on the role as our first CEO of CFIT. His experience, energy and understanding of the fintech sector will be invaluable as we work to ensure that the UK is the global leader for financial innovation. I look forward to working with him to accelerate opportunities and unblock barriers to growth for financial technology by bringing together the best minds from the ecosystem across the UK and help to drive better outcomes for consumers and SMEs across the UK.”
Ezechi Britton MBE said:
“I am honoured to take on the position of the first CEO of CFIT and to have the opportunity to make the UK the undisputed leader in Fintech globally. I look forward to working with the financial services, fintech and technology sectors across the UK to drive fintech growth, attract diverse talent into the fintech sector, and ensure better outcomes for consumers and SMEs. The UK is in a unique position with some of the strongest finance technologists in the world and we have an extraordinary opportunity to support this exciting sector and to capitalise on the forward-thinking approach taken by our regulators, government and industry to ensure that its transformative impact is felt by all.”
Sir Ron Kalifa said:
“I am delighted that Ezechi Britton has been appointed as CEO of CFIT. He will be responsible for advancing its mission and drive the UK‘s leadership as the global leader for financial innovation by seeking out opportunities to accelerate and unblock barriers to grow the FinTech sector. Following an independent and diverse panel process, Ezechi was chosen for his financial acumen and deep and varied knowledge across the FinTech ecosystem. I am immensely proud of CFIT’s journey to date, and Ezechi’s appointment – along with that of Chair Charlotte Crosswell – gives me confidence in the next phase for CFIT.”
