Welsh fintech is poised for a brand new chapter as FinTech Wales pronounces Sarah Kocianski as its new CEO. The fintech and insurtech strategist has revealed plans to “do much more” to drive Welsh fintech to worldwide prominence.
Kocianski will formally be a part of FinTech Wales as CEO from 1 March – St David’s Day – taking the reins from outgoing CEO Sarah Williams-Gardener. FinTech Wales, introduced the resignation of Williams-Gardener in November 2023 in addition to her transition to the not-for-profit organisation’s chair.
With over a decade of expertise in fintech and insurtech technique, Kocianski has labored with international organisations, startups, and scale-ups throughout numerous sectors of the monetary trade, together with main banks, insurers, healthtech firms and retailers.
Beforehand, she led strategic insights at Founders Manufacturing facility, supporting companions together with Aviva in fintech funding methods. Moreover, as the previous head of competitor technique at 11:FS, she contributed to benchmarking, analysis, and consultancy companies for banks, insurers, governments, regulators, and startups worldwide.
She additionally additionally collaborates with fintech teams like Qorus and sits on the WVC:E committee, championing equality in investments for the advantage of all stakeholders.
Kocianski revealed to The Fintech Instances her pleasure at constructing “on the superb foundations laid by my predecessor” and her confidence at doing “much more to make Wales an influential fintech hub on a world degree”.
“My focus will likely be on making certain the expansion and sustainability of our organisation and I can’t wait to point out the trade what that appears like,” she stated. “Wales punches nicely above its weight with regards to contributing to UK fintech, and one motive FinTech Wales exists is to make sure the worldwide fintech trade understands and recognises that.
“Our function is to make sure our members can attain their full potential, which incorporates persevering with the ascent of Wales as a famend fintech hub that pulls native, nationwide and worldwide consideration, funding and recognition.”
New chair
As chair, Williams-Gardner will proceed to assist additional develop FinTech Wales’ strategic path, in addition to guarantee a continued strong governance construction to take care of transparency and inclusivity
In dialog with The Fintech Instances, she mirrored on her accomplishments: “Throughout my management at FinTech Wales, we centered on a transparent mission that of creating Wales as a thriving international fintech and monetary companies hub. We constructed a neighborhood we created a story and a dialog and we supported startups to boost and develop.
“We’ve got seen elevated curiosity in investing with funding in welsh fintechs rising final yr towards a pattern of decline. We’ve created a voice for our members and an important basis off which I do know Sarah and the crew will construct.
“That is an thrilling time towards again drop of the monetary disaster with the pandemic in our rear view we’re seeing nice fintech entrepreneurs constructing options to democratise finance for all, opening up financial savings merchandise, creating better visibility of finance on the atmosphere in addition to serving to to handle debt all being in-built our valleys, creating nice purposeful jobs.”
Welsh fintech
Since its launch in April 2019, FinTech Wales has offered help and assist to its community of members, which incorporates Sonovate, Wealthify, Deloitte, amongst others. Moreover, the organisation amplifies its collective voice to have interaction with politicians, governments, and influencers within the monetary companies sector.
FinTech Wales’ companions additionally embody Admiral, Principality Constructing Society, confused.com, Go.Evaluate, Hodge Financial institution, Monmouthshire Constructing Society and PwC.
Based on the FinTech Wales annual report 2022/2023, fintech employment in Wales exceeds 16,000, with funding in Welsh fintechs experiencing a 300 per cent enhance since 2022.
