In a bid to galvanise FinTech in Manchester, MIDAS and Pro-Manchester have hired two industry leaders to chair the new Pro-Manchester FinTech Committee.
Kimberley Waldron, Co-Founder and MD of SkyParlour, and Mark Robinson, Client Director at Finch, will head up the committee, which aims to address challenges and drive collaboration within the sector.
MIDAS is Greater Manchester’s inward investment agency, while pro-manchester is the largest business development organisation in the North West.
Together, Kimberley and Mark will help build the vision for the group and facilitate teamwork amongst the members.
Kimberley Waldron, Co-Founder and MD of SkyParlour says: “In the next 12 months, the industry spotlight will again be on balancing innovation with regulation and compliance but focus will also need to be on ensuring the technology gets into the hands and businesses of users.
“That’s down to communication and why a group like this, that gathers the full FinTech ecosystem, from tech development, finance, governance and marketing, is both unique and important.”
High on the agenda is to ensure the region’s FinTech industry is recognised in both national and international markets.
With more than 30 years of success in FinTech between them, the duo believes the new committee has an exciting journey ahead, just as Manchester embarks on its biggest year in FinTech.
Mark Robinson, Client Director at Finch, added: “FinTech is a huge part of the global tech sector and Manchester illustrates this better than most. As with all things financial and technology-related, there comes an ever-increasing amount of compliance, regulation and risk management challenges.
“A specific FinTech committee is a positive step for the region and as co-chair, I look forward to working closely with my fellow committee members to get under the skin of the sector here in Manchester.”
According to MIDAS, Greater Manchester is home to the UK’s largest regional financial and professional services sector but this is the first dedicated committee of its kind in the city.
Ilona Alcock, Sector Group Manager for pro-manchester, said: “I am delighted that Mark and Kimberley have agreed to co-chair pro-manchester’s new FinTech committee, being run in collaboration with MIDAS.
“Their enthusiasm and expertise will ensure this high growth sector gets the profile and support it requires. I’m looking forward to working closely with the committee to run a wide-ranging events programme.”
The first committee meeting will be hosted by DLA Piper on the 27th November, where the agenda is set to focus on key deliverables and ambitions for the rest of 2019 and 2020.
Members of MIDAS and pro-manchester are on the 2020 Digital City Festival Steering Panel. Find out more here: https://digitalcityfestival.com/2020-steering-panel/
