Open Tech Calendar

This conference will focus on key challenges and opportunities for developing the UK’s FinTech industry.

Delegates will have the opportunity to engage with officials and frontline stakeholders on a range of issues and opportunities for the industry, including latest thinking on improving sector skills, attracting investment, and developing a regulatory framework that supports innovation and consumer protection.

The conference is scheduled to facilitate discussion on the Financial Conduct Authority’s recently introduced Regulatory Sandbox - which seeks to create a ‘safe space’ for businesses to test innovative financial products - and also follows the regulator's current consultation on supporting the development of RegTech, which is expected to report this summer. The event is also timed as HM Treasury considers feedback from its recent consultation on developing a draft innovation plan for financial services.

Sessions will discuss next steps for encouraging further growth and skills within key sectors such as P2P and digital currencies, as well as developing the growth of UK FinTech companies regionally and internationally - such as how best to develop further FinTech ‘bridges’ and Financial Centres of Excellence, aimed at attracting further international investment.

Speakers and other delegates at this conference are expected to be a senior and informed group including Members of both Houses of Parliament, senior officials from Central Government and the FCA, alongside a range of industry representatives from across the financial services sector - including those working in banks, investment and savings platforms, payment services, crowdfunding and insurance - as well as technology and regulatory experts, business groups, consumer bodies and national and trade press.

At this early stage we are delighted that Daniel Turnbull, Head of Competition in Banking Services Unit, Banking & Credit Team, HM Treasury and Bob Ferguson, Head of Department, Project Innovate, Financial Conduct Authority have kindly agreed to speak at this event.

Further confirmed speakers include: Kirstene Baillie, Partner and Head of Financial Services and Funds Group, Fieldfisher; Imran Gulamhuseinwala, Partner, FinTech Leader, Ernst & Young; Rhydian Lewis, Founder and Chief Executive Officer, RateSetter; Diana Paredes, Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder, Suade; Peter Pledger, Chief Executive Officer, National Academy for Financial Services and Jeff Salway, Member, Financial Services Consumer Panel.

Adam Afriyie MP, Chair, All-Party Parliamentary Group on FinTech has kindly agreed to chair a session at this event.