- Leadership Transition:
- Sarah Williams-Gardener, FinTech Wales’ CEO for three years, is resigning to become the chair of the member association.
- Effective January 2024, she succeeds former Confused CEO Louise O’Shea, who held the position since March 2020.
- New Responsibilities:
- As chair, Williams-Gardener will focus on developing the organization’s strategic direction and a robust governance structure.
- The overarching goal is to attract more startups to launch and scale their businesses in Wales.
- Achievements Under Williams-Gardener:
- Williams-Gardener’s leadership has driven £20 million worth of investment into Welsh fintechs.
- FinTech Wales experienced a 150% boost in membership during her tenure.
- Professional Background:
- Williams-Gardener, a founding member of Starling Bank, spent most of her career at IBM, serving as the UK government affairs director.
- Next Steps for FinTech Wales:
- A call for a new CEO has been announced to execute the final year of the four-year strategy, focusing on skills, talent, ecosystem, community, funding, and investment.
- The goal is to promote Wales as a thriving hub for fintech and financial organizations.
- Williams-Gardener’s Comment:
- She expresses excitement about the transition, calling it “an exciting chapter in the FinTech Wales journey.”
