BlackRock joins FinTech Scotland supporting Fintech Innovation for a New Era in Finance
BlackRock, the leading global investment manager, announced it was joining FinTech Scotland, the cluster management organisation for the fintech sector in Scotland. The announcement comes as BlackRock continues to develop local knowledge and talent as it expands in Scotland.
The ambition aligns with the FinTech Scotland Research and Innovation Strategy, focused on shaping the future of finance through fintech and technology. Through this partnership BlackRock and FinTech Scotland will collaborate on innovation and solving difficult problems through data and technology, helping more people experience financial wellbeing.
BlackRock joins a fintech cluster that is recognised as a centre of excellence in fintech innovation through a committed industry driven to advance the fintech opportunity. The Cluster is rich and diverse with over 235 fintech SME, 35 established financial and professional services institutions, global technology enterprises, world-class universities, regulators and a supportive public sector.
BlackRock’s deep expertise in technology and investment management continues to add to the experience across the FinTech Scotland Cluster and confirms its plans for further growth in Scotland.
Scott Walker, Managing Director, Co-head of BlackRock’s Edinburgh office, said: “We are excited to join with FinTech Scotland and its dynamic fintech cluster. We’re looking forward to working with peers and the industry in exploring key themes that are critical to the future of financial services and important to our clients. BlackRock has a long history in Edinburgh and our partnership with FinTech Scotland demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the local market, in addition deepening our relationships in this growing sector.”
Nicola Anderson, CEO of FinTech Scotland, said: “The collaboration with BlackRock is a testament to the strength and international appeal of the Scottish fintech cluster. Thanks to the collective innovation and technology expertise across in Scotland, we will continue to drive meaningful change and fintech evolution that will address some of the most pressing challenges in the financial industry today.”
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About FinTech Scotland
@FinTechScotland
FinTech Scotland is an independent not for profit cluster body jointly established with the financial services sector, universities and Scottish Enterprise to ensure that Scotland seizes the FinTech opportunities and achieves positive economic and social outcomes by encouraging financial innovation, collaboration and inclusion as part of the broader digital economy objectives.
The organisation acts as a strategic enabler and cluster management body focused on leveraging the potential economic (i.e. productivity, innovation, business creation, employment) and social (i.e. financial inclusion, well-being and accessibility) benefits arising from becoming a leading global centre focused on Fintech innovation.
FinTech Scotland’s objectives are to develop an innovative community of FinTech firms, generate impactful collaborations between firms of all sizes and foster an inclusive cluster which is UK and globally recognised and connected.
FinTech Scotland was founded in January 2018 as a joint initiative by University of Edinburgh, Lloyds Banking Group, HSBC and Scottish Enterprise. The organisation is now supported by a broad range of global financial services, technology and professional services firms as well as major universities, the Financial Conduct Authority and Scottish Enterprise.
In August 2022, FinTech Scotland was formally recognised for the development of the Fintech cluster and accredited with the silver label for Cluster Management Excellence by the European Secretariat for Cluster Analysis (ESCA).
In 2019, FinTech Scotland was one the founding bodies along with FinTech North and Innovate Finance of the UK FinTech National Network which drives collaborative fintech innovation and development across all UK regions.
You can read more about the FinTech Scotland Cluster in our recently published “Building a Global Fintech Cluster”.
