FinTech Wales, the independent membership association and champion of the FinTech and Financial Services industry in Wales, opened the market at London Stock Exchange -  on St David’s Day – March 1st, 2024.

Sarah Williams-Gardener, Chair of FinTech Wales, officially opened the trading market at the London Stock Exchange Group, joined by Secretary of State for Wales, David TC Davies MP. Representatives from key stakeholders from industry and government attended, as well as those from Welsh founded or based fintechs, including Starling Bank, LexisNexis Risk Solutions, Tandem, Wealthify and Just Eat, and many more.

Speaking about the Market Open ceremony, Sarah said: “It felt like a real moment in time for the fintech sector in Wales. I was honoured to be representing our network and showcasing all that we have achieved as a fintech community. Our drive and passion makes us loud and proud and it was wonderful to celebrate the Welsh fintech ecosystem on St David’s Day.”

FinTech Wales’ market opening formed part of Wales Week London, a collection of annual events that celebrates Welsh culture, business, and innovation in London.

Welsh Secretary David TC Davies said: “I was delighted to celebrate St David’s Day by opening the London Stock Exchange with FinTech Wales. We have a fantastic thriving Welsh financial services technology sector supporting 16,000 jobs across Wales which continues to go from strength to strength.”

Launched in April 2019, FinTech Wales offers help and support to its network of members, and uses the power of the collective voice to be heard by politicians, governments and influencers in the financial services space. As well as nurturing and supporting those businesses already in Wales, it aims to develop an ecosystem that will encourage and attract new fintech companies to start or scale in the region.

Attendee Toby Kernon, CEO and founder of Wagonex: "Growing Wagonex in Wales has given us access to the thriving Welsh Fintech ecosystem. We are great advocates for the work that FinTech Wales are doing towards developing the ecosystem here in Wales. The Market Open ceremony today is an example of how FinTech Wales amplifies the fintech sector, showcasing Welsh fintech companies to a wider audience in London."

James Fell, CEO of Credit Canary who was also at the opening, said: “We're proud to represent Wales, a world leading fintech ecosystem that boasts cutting-edge innovation and a vibrant talent pool. Credit Canary has thrived thanks to the incredible support of FinTech Wales, playing a critical role in our growth journey.”

Ultimately, FinTech Wales’ mission is to make Wales a globally recognised hub of fintech excellence. It is currently in the third year of its four-year strategy to support fintechs in Wales, in which the organisation has focused on four key pillars, including skills and talent, ecosystem and community, funding and investment and the promotion of Wales as a place for fintech and financial organisations to thrive.

A five-year, £1.6 million investment in FinTech Wales was announced by Cardiff Capital Region (CCR) in June 2022, with the two organisations working closely together in partnership to deliver on CCR’s commitment to establish Wales as a leading fintech sector in the UK.