Nicola Anderson

Powerlist Category: Industry and Knowledge Champions

Growth - (Note: for a Cluster growth is measured over longer timescale). Tenfold increase in fintech SMEs from 26 to 250 (within 6 years); £1.5bn investment in fintech innovation (2021-24); an increased employment in high skilled jobs. Fintech Scotland team has doubled with 6:2 female:male split; Fintech jobs up 25%; diverse founders up 20%; Scotland presence in international fintechs up 15%.

Collaboration - range of partnerships eg recent development of the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL) delivered through a strategic consortia w/ the Universities of Strathclyde & Glasgow, Glasgow City Region, Fintech Scotland & Innovate UK. FRIL is considered a developing strategic asset in the UK Government Innovation Accelerator pilot. In Y1, FRIL is delivering a 5-fold return on public investment, accelerating 57 FS and regtech SMEs, working with 20+ Global and UK FIs.

Innovation 'calls' - domain-focused cross-UK collaboration initiatives inc consumer duty, ESG & economic crime.

Nicola is a huge advocate for diversity and inclusion, and is playing an active role in the community's dedication to action-oriented programmes and policy developments designed to drive financial inclusion and diversity in entrepreneurship.

She brings this into all her work and considerable influence as she works with others to create new skills and new roles. She is keenly focused in ensuring inclusive representation in the industry, firm in her belief that diversity delivers better outcomes.