Funding Circle’s Desai among confirmed speakers at Fintech Week 2017
FUNDING Circle’s Samir Desai is among the keynote speakers at the government’s international fintech conference, it was confirmed on Tuesday.
The chief executive and co-founder of the peer-to-peer business lender will be joined by other leading figures in the UK fintech world at the centrepiece event of Fintech Week 2017, which takes place in London next week.
The Treasury has now confirmed the agenda of the week’s events, which also includes trade body Innovate Finance’s global summit.
Read more: Fintech Week 2017 set to showcase the UK’s strengths
The international fintech conference, hosted by the Treasury and the Department for International Trade, is designed to showcase the UK’s wares and encourage investment into the sector. Other keynote speakers include Chancellor Philip Hammond, Bank of England Governor Mark Carney, fintech envoy Eileen Burbidge and Taavet Hinrikus, chief executive and co-founder of P2P money transfer service TransferWise.
Richard Wazacz, chief executive of Octopus Labs and head of Octopus Choice, the P2P lending platform launched by Octopus Investments, will be speaking on a panel about the experience of UK fintech investment.
Other panel topics include: payments and open banking; regulation; capital markets; and robo-advice.
The conference, sponsored by EY, HSBC, Pinsent Masons and Motive Partners, will also include exhibition space for 100 of the UK’s top fintech firms. 10 of these firms have been selected to pitch their business to more than 200 domestic and international investors who will be attending the event.
Read more: P2P firms meet with City minister to discuss future of fintech
“Britain is already the best place in the world to start and grow a fintech company,” said Hammond. “These events are a great opportunity to show why. The first ever international fintech conference will bring together dynamic UK firms with an exciting vision of the future, and global investors who can support their future growth.
“We have a plan for Britain and a modern industrial strategy and I see fintech as an essential sector as we forge new trading relationships within, and beyond, Europe.”
Read more: MarketInvoice and Funding Circle represent P2P on fintech delivery panel
“Fintech makes a huge contribution to our economy, and our knowledge, skills and expertise strengthens the UK’s position as a global leader,” said international trade secretary Liam Fox.
“We have created the right environment for businesses to start and grow in this thriving sector, and with my department’s support and events like this international fintech conference, we will help even more UK-based fintech companies to capitalise on the international opportunities and attract inward investment to our shores.”
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