The first FinTech North conference of 2019 is returning to Manchester next week, following last year’s sell out event. One of a series of events held across the North, FinTech North Manchester 2019 will take place on Wednesday 17 April at University of Manchester’s Whitworth Hall.
The conference will bring together policy and decision makers across the public and private sector, alongside some of the most established businesses, financial services and tech firms both regionally and nationally. Topics to be tackled on the day include the national and regional economy, the future of payments, how the lending market has been revolutionised, and the impact of open banking.
Delegates and speakers from across the UK will join their counterparts from Greater Manchester and the Northern Powerhouse, as well as a large cohort of international attendees. This includes a 25 strong delegation of guests from ICBC, the largest bank in China, in collaboration with the AMBS Executive Education Centre. Over 300 delegates are expected for a day of speeches, panel sessions, networking, and showcases.
The event will focus on the skills, resources, innovation and economic strength of the FinTech community in the North, as well as exploring opportunities for further growth and sharing expertise with counterparts across the UK and internationally.
The day will be chaired by Chris Sier, FinTech Envoy at HM Treasury. Keynote speakers include Dame Nancy Rothwell, President and Vice-Chancellor of The University of Manchester, and Henri Murison, Chief Executive of the Northern Powerhouse Partnership. Charlotte Croswell, CEO of Innovate Finance, will be discussing London and global FinTech trends.
Europe’s biggest FinTech organisation, OakNorth, valued at over a billion euros and with offices in Manchester, will be showcasing the latest innovations in the field, alongside a range of Manchester’s fastest growing startups including Arro Money, Mojo Mortgages, and AccessPay.
Now in its fourth year, FinTech North was established in 2016 as a non-profit project by Whitecap Consulting and White Label Crowdfunding. It aims to reinforce the UK’s Northern Powerhouse region as a centre of excellence for FinTech.
Julian Wells, Director of FinTech North, commented: “Last year was our first ever Manchester conference, and it was an incredible success. The region really pulled together to support the local FinTech scene, and seats were sold out. We heard interesting discussions on the challenges and opportunities for Manchester FinTechs, saw demonstrations of the latest technologies, and new relationships and partnerships were formed to help further the growth of FinTech in the area.
“This year, we have decided to hold an even bigger conference in Manchester, so more local organisations can take advantage of the opportunities to network, collaborate with some of the most influential and exciting FinTechs, benefit from national and international expertise, and even influence policy. The response so far has been really encouraging, with speakers and sign-ups in the North, but also across the UK and even internationally.”
