CEO Update – December 2021

As we draw closer to the end of 2021 and move into the new year, I would like to take this opportunity to wish all of you and your loved ones a very healthy and happy holiday season, and thank you for your support of Innovate Finance over the past 12 months. 

I believe it is a huge testament to the strength and resilience of our industry that, even in the face of continuing challenges due to the pandemic, 2021 has been an amazingly positive year for UK FinTech. The past twelve months has seen unprecedented growth stories, the launch of the Kalifa Review, and record-smashing capital being invested into the sector.

The incredible team at Innovate Finance have also worked tirelessly throughout the year to support our members and the wider FinTech ecosystem. Below you will see an infographic of some of our achievements in 2021.

I wanted to share just a few brief updates with you as we head into 2022:

Welcome to new members 

A very warm welcome to our newest members who have joined:

Google, Tribe Payments, HSBC, Vyne Technologies, Trust Payments, WealthKernel, OneBanks, mmob, Dextcloud, Cygentise, Earthchain, Zeti, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, GOODFOLIO, Paysend, Capgemini, Shpun Remit, Safenetpay,Xapien, and LatentBridge.

Policy & Government Engagement Update

FinTech Strategy Group

We were incredibly pleased to be able to welcome both John Glen MP, Economic Secretary to the Treasury and City Minister, and Dr Andrea Coscelli, CBE, Chief Executive of the Competition and Markets Authority, to the December meeting of the FSG to discuss key challenges and opportunities facing the sector.

Roundtable at 10 Downing Street

I was delighted to moderate a roundtable at 10 Downing Street last week with a number of our high growth members to address how we can further strengthen the investment landscape and listing environment here in the UK.  The discussion was attended by Chris Philp MP, Minister for Tech and the Digital Economy, and Alex Hickman, the Prime Minister’s Special Adviser on business.  The Government’s actions to create a globally competitive listings regime in the UK was highly welcomed by the group. There was also an exploration of how best to capitalise on these reforms, including the need to celebrate and support UK FinTech unicorns and national champions, and to raise awareness across domestic VC and institutional investors around FinTech.

Events and Programmes Update  

October Forum

On 13th October we hosted our successful inaugural FinTech as a Force for Good Forum.
The event was run in hybrid format and took place in person at Level 39 while being simultaneously streamed live at Barclays RISE and on our Innovate Finance YouTube channel.  The programme took a deep-dive into the role of financial innovation in both the climate change agenda and in supporting greater financial wellness and inclusion, with compelling keynotes, fireside chats, panel discussions, breakouts and networking opportunities.  We will continue to explore what more the sector can do on both these fronts in 2022.

Women in FinTech Powerlist 

Our highly anticipated Women in FinTech Powerlist celebrates some of the amazing women making an impact across the FinTech and Financial Services space. The Powerlist 2021 will shine a spotlight on 200 women across 9 categories who have made a significant difference across the sector’s many facets.

Applications for the Women in FinTech Powerlist are now open, with the Powerlist itself due to be released in March!

IFGS 2022
After 2 years of virtual sessions, our flagship event IFGS will be returning back to the historic Guildhall in the City of London, welcoming, as always, the brightest and best from the FinTech ecosystem to discuss and debate the crucial issues facing the sector and beyond.

IFGS 2022 will convene innovators, institutions, regulators, policy-makers, and investors from around the world. This year’s agenda will shine a spotlight on the UK and global FinTech ecosystem, with an increased focus on the key areas that are enhancing, empowering and ensuring that FinTech and Financial Services are sustainable and inclusive to all. 

New Innovate Finance Team Members

I am delighted to announce that Rachel Waggott joins as our Head of Regulatory Affairs, a new role created to further support our members in engaging with both the UK and international regulators, and Aimee Jerogin joins us as our Senior Event Manager, supporting on our active calendar of member programmes and activities across the year.

Some of you may have seen that we made the difficult decision to postpone our much-anticipated member reception earlier this month, due to concerns about the spread of the omicron variant. However, we are delighted to let you know that this has been rescheduled for Wednesday 2 February 2022, so please do mark your calendar! Revolut has kindly agreed to host our member community once again, and we will send out further details closer to the date.

I can’t wait to celebrate with all of you in-person, to look back on the incredible accomplishments of our industry over the past 12 months, and to raise a glass to the exciting new year that lies ahead of us.

Wishing you a wonderful holiday and an amazing start to 2022!

Janine Hirt

CEO, Innovate Finance