FinTech Scotland confirms appointment of CEO and celebrates 3rd anniversary

FinTech Scotland has confirmed the appointment of Nicola Anderson as its new chief executive, with the news coming as it celebrates its third anniversary.

New CEO Nicola Anderson with executive chair Stephen Ingledew. Picture: contributed.

She has been on secondment from the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) for two years and has been serving as FinTech Scotland’s interim chief executive, replacing Stephen Ingledew when he took on the cluster leadership body’s new role of executive chair in November.

Ms Anderson joined FinTech Scotland on secondment in October 2018, having previously been a senior regulator at the FCA, and she brings experience from working for small enterprises and larger institutions, with a focus on customer experience and operational change.

FinTech Scotland also hailed the continued growth of the community of smaller fintech firms to a total of 150, up by 31 over the last year, and having grown from 26 since its formation in January 2018.

The organisation also said that the increasing “strength and breadth” of the fintech community and cluster has stepped up a gear over the past 12 months with continued investment funding in Scottish fintech small and medium-sized enterprises and on a par with 2019 levels, for example.

Additionally, FinTech Scotland said it was the first UK fintech body to be recognised for “cluster management excellence” by the European Cluster Accreditation Body.

Mr Ingledew welcomed Ms Anderson accepting the role of chief executive, and the well-earnt recognition of her “valuable contribution since joining the team”. He added: “I would like to thank the FCA for their ongoing collaboration through over the last two years. I am looking forward to supporting Nicola take Fintech Scotland on to the new stage of its exciting journey.”

Ms Anderson said she looked forward to the “opportunity to further the great work already achieved by FinTech Scotland,” adding: “Joining the team has reinforced my passion for entrepreneurial innovation and how it can benefit citizens and the economy. I’m very much looking forward to championing the fintech community and cluster through innovation, collaboration and inclusiveness.”

FinTech Scotland was initially established as a joint initiative by Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC, the University of Edinburgh, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise. It is now supported by a broad range of global financial services, technology and professional services firms as well as, say, the FCA, Scottish Government and Scottish Enterprise.

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