The UK and Ireland boast thriving fintech sectors characterized by robust revenue growth, diverse innovation, and burgeoning startup ecosystems. The UK, renowned as a global fintech hub, leverages its rich financial services expertise, tech talent, and progressive regulations. It’s home to approximately 2,500 fintech firms, representing 11% of the global industry, data from the government show.

In Ireland, the fintech landscape has rapidly expanded, with over 280 indigenous and 130 international companies operating there, particularly in areas like payments, open banking, crypto, and crowdfunding, according to industry trade group Fintech Ireland.

Highlighting the prominence of fintech in both nations, Sifted’s inaugural leaderboard of the UK and Ireland’s fastest-growing startups reveals that nearly a third of the 2024 entries are from the fintech sector, totaling 31 startups. This makes fintech the most populous and successful startup vertical in the two countries based on revenue growth. Notable fintech companies featured include neobank Allica Bank, insurtech YuLife, lending business Tembo Money, and buy now, pay later (BNPL) startup Zilch.

With fintech continuing to grow and evolve, a number of conferences and events are being organized in the UK and Ireland to facilitate networking and knowledge exchange among industry professionals. In this article, we delve into some of the most prominent fintech events taking place in the UK and Ireland during the second half of 2024, shedding light on their key themes and highlights.

The Fintech Summit 2024

May 16, 2024

Croke Park, Dublin, Ireland

Scheduled to take place on May 16, the Fintech Summit inaugural event is set to connect financial institutions with the fintech innovators revolutionizing the financial system.

With a focus on advancing the financial system’s efficiency and inclusivity, the summit will explore how cutting-edge technologies can be effectively utilized, regulated, and scaled. The event will feature panel discussions, keynote speeches, and masterclasses addressing the most pressing challenges and opportunities facing both emerging fintech startups and established financial services incumbents.  Additionally, it will provide ample opportunities for networking and business development.

Attendees can expect a comprehensive agenda designed to achieve two primary objectives: thought leadership and connectivity. They will also have access to one of Ireland’s largest fintech trade shows, facilitating connections with potential customers and partners. Various networking sessions and strategic business meetings will be organized to encourage meaningful interactions and collaboration among participants.

DIGIT Expo West

May 29, 2024

Scottish Events Campus (SEC) Centre, Glasgow, Scotland

DIGIT Expo West, scheduled for May 29, 2024, at the Scottish Events Campus (SEC) Centre in Glasgow, will bring together Scotland’s largest annual technology showcase to the forefront.

The event will feature a comprehensive conference program comprising keynotes, interactive workshops, panels, and an extensive exhibition hall, providing attendees with valuable insights, networking opportunities, and engagement with leading IT and digital vendors. The conference program will cover a wide range of themes, including cloud computing, DevOps, cybersecurity, digital leadership, and data innovation.

Key speakers at DIGIT Expo West 2024 include:

• Ed Parsons, Geospatial Technologies, Google;
• Cheryl Hung, Senior Director, Arm;
• Faisal Kamrn, Principal Technology Analyst, Sony;
• Elizabeth Fairley, COO, Talking Medicines;
• James Maciver, CTO, Phlo;
• Ayorinde Thompson John, Executive Director, JPMorgan Chase & Co;
• Dr. Sofiat Olaosebikan, Lecturer in Computer Science, University of Glasgow;
• Marika Lohmus, Head of Risk & Payments, Cleo;
• Alison B Lowndes, Senior Scientist: Global AI, Nvidia; and
• Euan Wielewski, Machine Learning Lead, NatWest.

Moreover, the exhibition at DIGIT Expo West will feature 50+ exhibitors, making it one of the largest gatherings of IT and digital vendors in the west of Scotland. Delegates will get to engage with leading solutions providers, experience live product demos, and participate in interactive games, enhancing their understanding of the latest technologies and solutions available in the market.

Dublin Tech Summit

May 29 – 30, 2024

RDS, Dublin, Ireland

The Dublin Tech Summit 2024, scheduled to take place on May 29 and 30 at the RDS in Dublin, is a two-day event poised to bring together global tech leaders, innovators, and entrepreneurs, with an expected attendance of over 8,000 participants and hundreds of speakers from around the world. The summit aims to showcase the latest technological advancements, highlight innovative ideas, and explore the future of tech in a rapidly evolving landscape.

This year’s edition will focus on emerging technologies like quantum computing and deep tech, positioning them as the new frontier of innovation. Discussions will also address the future of artificial intelligence (AI), emphasizing the importance of regulation and security in shaping a digital future. Speakers from diverse backgrounds, including tech innovators, social media influencers, and entrepreneurs, will share their insights on topics such as digital transformation, next-generation computing, startups, and global investing.

Dublin Tech Summit aims to foster collaboration, strengthen tech ecosystems, and facilitate networking opportunities to drive innovation and entrepreneurship forward. Since its inception in 2015, the summit has grown to become a significant event in the tech industry, providing a unique blend of Irish culture and global networking.

London Tech Week

June 10 – 14, 2024

Olympia, London, UK

Scheduled to take place from June 10 to 14, London Tech Week 2024 promises to be even more expansive than its previous editions, offering attendees unparalleled opportunities to showcase innovations and connect with their target audience. With the event expanding to the vast London Olympia campus, doubling its space, opportunities, and impact, participants can anticipate an extraordinary week filled with groundbreaking innovations and transformative experiences.

London Tech Week 2024 will bring together innovators, investors, tech giants, and entrepreneurs from over 90 countries, offering a platform for the global tech ecosystem to intersect with investment, innovation, and talent in the UK.

Attendees can expect visionary insights from cross-industry leaders, deep dives into the startup ecosystem, and engaging discussions on social impact from prominent figures in the realms of technology, business, and politics. Participants will also get to engage with top founders, industry experts, leading investors, and enterprise tech leaders, gaining inspiration and connections to thrive in the tech industry.

Highlighted themes for this year’s event include:

• Artificial Intelligence: Exploring the ethics and real-world impacts of AI, fostering creativity, and enhancing efficiency;
• The Future of Security and Data: Addressing the importance of securing data and privacy, and exploring proactive solutions and ethical responsibilities;
• Tomorrow’s Talent: Discussing strategies for preparing for the evolving job market, including upskilling, talent retention, and lifelong learning;
• The Deep Tech Revolution: Exploring radical innovation in AI, biotech, and beyond, and its impact on future industries;
• Green Innovation: Harnessing technology for a sustainable future, with discussions on eco-solutions, circularity, and environmental sustainability; and
• Empowering Entrepreneurship: Encouraging innovation, venture building, and disruption in various sectors.

London Tech Week 2024 will feature multiple stages, including the Main Stage, Start-Up Stage, and Corporate Innovation Stage, each hosting a range of sessions, panels, and presentations on diverse topics.

Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024

June 18 – 19, 2024

etc.venues, London, UK

The Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024, taking place on June 18 and 19 at etc.venues in London, aims to bring together professionals from banking and insurance sectors to explore the latest advancements in customer-centric and digital strategies. The conference is expected to host over 200 attendees, feature more than 15 exhibitors, and offer insights from over 20 speakers.

Targeted towards retail banks, wealth management firms, private banking institutions, insurance companies, and building societies, the Customer Experience in Financial Services Conference 2024 aims to offer a platform for collaboration and knowledge sharing on delivering enhanced customer experiences in a digital era.

Distinguished speakers from leading organizations such as Citi Bank, Saffron Building Society, Consumer Duty Alliance, and Monzo will deliver presentations, participate in panel discussions, and engage in Q&A sessions, providing valuable insights into customer experience strategies and innovations.

Attendees can expect to delve into innovative content, including discussions on leveraging the metaverse for customer experience, digital inclusivity, updates on consumer duty regulations, brand management, achieving balance between hybrid, digital, and human interactions, data-driven personalization, and the application of AI in enhancing customer experiences. Participants will also get to engage with industry experts, initiate meaningful conversations, and explore potential partnerships vital for achieving their customer experience objectives.

MoneyNext 2024

June 19 – 20, 2024

ExCeL, London, UK

MoneyNext 2024, scheduled for June 19 and 20 at ExCeL in London, stands as a premier digital transformation event for financial services worldwide. The event will bring together four co-located industry-leading events: the Banking Transformation Summit, the Wealth Management Transformation Summit, the Insurance Transformation Summit, and the Lending Transformation Summit.

MoneyNext 2024 will offer a platform for connection with 2,500 financial services tech professionals, all united in their pursuit of delivering digital innovation and advancing their transformation journey. The event promises an immersive experience, with attendees granted access to all four co-located summits, offering a comprehensive view of the latest trends, ideas, and opinions from experts, innovators, and visionaries in the field.

Attendees will benefit from insights shared by 200 industry-leading speakers, who will illuminate their stories, visions, and innovations in the financial services sector.

Highlighted features of MoneyNext 2024 include:

• Expanded Speaker Lineup: Visionaries from esteemed institutions such as Handelsbanken, Santander, Metro Bank (UK), Shawbrook Bank, Castle Trust Bank, Deutsche Bank, Standard Chartered, Recognise Bank, and more will contribute their insights;
• Sponsor Support: Confirmed sponsors including Appian Corporation, Telefónica Tech, Pure Storage, Comarch, nCino, Inc., Version 1, Workday, Bud, Feedzai, among others, underscore the event’s significance in the industry; and
• Roundtable Program: Featuring over 100 discussions, the roundtable program will offer participants the opportunity to engage as contributors or observers, covering a wide array of topics relevant to their interests and expertise.

CDAO Financial Services and Insurance UK 2024

September 11 – 12, 2024

London, UK

The CDAO Financial Services and Insurance UK 2024 conference, scheduled for September 11 and 12 in London, will offer a unique platform for data and analytics professionals serving the financial services industry to explore the latest trends and challenges in their field. With over 40 speakers, this year’s event will delve into critical areas such as data security, AI, and digital transformation.

Attendees will also have the opportunity to discover emerging trends and solutions providers to navigate evolving landscapes effectively. They will also get to engage with experts through a mix of panel discussions, roundtable sessions, and Q&A opportunities, fostering interaction and collaboration within the financial services data and analytics community.

Moreover, the conference will provide a unique networking opportunity, allowing attendees to interact with industry leaders, influential technologists, and data scientists, learning from over 100 industry innovators sharing best practices and advice to improve data and analytics strategy.

Fintech Summit

September 25, 2024

Dynamic Earth, Edinburgh, UK

The Fintech Summit 2024, scheduled for September 25, at Dynamic Earth in Edinburgh, UK, will mark the 11th edition of the annual event and will serve as the launch event of the Scotland Fintech Festival. The summit will provide a platform for industry professionals to engage in discussions, share insights, and explore innovative solutions to navigate the evolving landscape of fintech in Scotland and beyond.

Amidst one of the most turbulent periods in modern history, the summit aims to explore the role of financial innovation in socio-economic recovery. The pandemic accelerated the adoption of mobile banking, digital channels, and cashless payment systems while underscoring the fragility of the economic system and the need for fast, frictionless finance.

The conference will reflect on the evolution of fintech against this backdrop of volatility, focusing on key trends, challenges, and market disruptions. It will discuss the opportunity for fintech to assist customers in managing the cost of living crisis and contribute to building a better future for the country.

Core conference topics include:

• Landscape: Addressing the cost of living crisis, financial health, and sustainability;
• Customer Strategy: Enhancing engagement, inclusion, user experience, and data insight;
• Emerging Technologies: Exploring advanced analytics, AI and machine learning (ML), robotic process automation (RPA), blockchain, and mobile;
• Regulation: Navigating GDPR, MiFID II, PSD2, and open banking; and
• Infrastructure: Assessing IT, security, digitalization, cloud computing, mobile technologies, and “anything-as-a-service” (XaaS).

Fintech Talents Festival 2024

November 11 – 12, 2024

The Brewery, London, UK

The Fintech Talents Festival, scheduled this year for November 11 and 12, 2024, at The Brewery in London, stands as one of the UK’s largest and most impactful fintech festivals. The festival aims to serve as a platform for showcasing visionary ideas, practical innovation, and in-depth explorations of industry challenges across various sectors of financial services.

Marked as a two-day must-attend event, the 2024 Fintech Talents Festival is set to bring together over 2,000 participants, including global financial institutions, merchants, brands, marketplaces, digital platforms, technology enablers, innovators, and fintech startups. The attendees will comprise C-level executives, founders, as well as leaders in innovation and digital transformation from across the UK and Europe.

The 2024 Fintech Talents Festival promises to be an immersive experience, offering attendees a comprehensive view of the latest trends, innovations, and challenges in the fintech industry. Its content will span a wide range of topics and will include co-located events, each focusing on specific areas of interest:

• Fintech Talents Festival: Explore a broad menu of fintech content, delving into the digital transformation of the financial services landscape. Engage in debates, discussions, and conversations designed to spark innovation and collaboration;
• Future Identity Festival (co-located event): Gain insights from industry experts, technology leaders, and policymakers on the evolving landscape of identity and trust, exploring the latest developments shaping the future;
• FTT AI Transformation Stage: Dive into the AI revolution within finance, examining internal strategies and the impacts of AI application in the fintech landscape;
• FTT Embedded Finance and Customer Alpha Stage: Connect with a growing community of financial and non-financial brands exploring new pathways for delivering financial products and services through a range of distributors;
• FTT Open Finance Stage: Explore the possibilities of open finance, evaluating new business models and the competitive landscape powered by open finance initiatives;
• FTT Mutuals (co-located event): Unite with leaders from mutual finance sectors to future-proof and grow mutual finance institutions; and
• FID Fraud and FinCrime Stage: Experience transformative discussions shaping the future of finance, identity security, and crime prevention, particularly focusing on how AI can revolutionize operations and enhance security in a digital world.

FMLS:24

November 18 – 20, 2024

Old Billingsgate, London, UK

FMLS:24, taking place from November 18 to 20, 2024, in London, invites participants to immerse themselves in the world’s financial epicenter. The event promises an exploration of trends, networking opportunities with industry leaders, and direct engagement with top speakers.

FMLS:24 is part of a series of events by Finance Magnates slated to captivate the financial industry in 2024. These gatherings offer unparalleled networking opportunities, knowledge sharing, and avenues for industry advancement.

These events aim to bring together industry leaders, professionals, and experts from across the globe to partake in meaningful discussions, explore innovative solutions, and shape the future of the financial sector. They focus on four key sectors, namely fintech, payments, online trading and digital assets.

Featured image credit: edited from Unsplash