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Fintech Innovation Roadmap to drive a digital enabled net zero economic recovery

FinTech Scotland is developing a ten-year business-led research and innovation roadmap which will support the growth of Scotland’s digital economy and development of fintech innovation across the UK.

This implements one of the recommendations highlighted in the recent Kalifa FinTech Sector Review which referenced Scotland as the second largest fintech cluster in the UK and the opportunity to build on this position through strategic research and innovation.

The roadmap will advance the FinTech Scotland Cluster in a number of ways, including

  • Develop priority innovation themes such as financial inclusion, net zero and well-being
  • Align research strengths and capabilities with innovation priorities and drive efficiencies
  • Enhance Scotland’s national and global reputation for fintech innovation
  • Shape innovation challenges and influence future Government Innovation strategies

 

The roadmap is being developed in collaboration with the Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence (GOFCoE) and together they have appointed Whitecap Consulting to progress the initiative. The work builds on the FinTech Scotland “Research and Innovation for UK FinTech” report published in January 2021 as well as the academic-led research and innovation roadmap recently developed by the Edinburgh Futures Institute at the University of Edinburgh in collaboration with regional Universities.

 

Nicola Anderson chief executive of FinTech Scotland said

“The roadmap will further advance and grow Scotland’s fintech Cluster and it will bring insight and specific focus to accelerate fintech Innovation. Working with Whitecap consulting and across the Cluster we will identify a suite of progressive actions that will enable positive economic outcomes”.

 

Kevin Collins, chief executive of the Global Open Finance Centre of Excellence said

“We’re delighted to be working with FinTech Scotland and Whitecap Consulting on this roadmap and is essential to ensuring we prioritise the needs of financial and fintech businesses, including key skills gaps as well as provide an opportunity to align businesses and academics effectively.”

 

Richard Coates, Managing Director of Whitecap Consulting, says:

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to work alongside FinTech Scotland and the GOFCoE team on this interesting project. The development of FinTech Scotland’s Research & Innovation roadmap calls for us to utilise a combination of our core strength in strategy and planning, our extensive work across the UK’s regional FinTech ecosystems, and our experience working with and connecting key stakeholders across public, private and higher education organisations.”

Climate Change Risk in Finance – Edinburgh University

With the ever-increasing demand in the FS Sector, the University of Edinburgh has launched a new, short online executive education course regarding Climate Change Risk in Finance for financial services and fintech professionals. Supported by the Scottish Funding Council, the course is available to a limited number of 50 employees, with places available on the first-come-first-served basis.

Context

With climate-related financial risks ever-increasingly prominent, the effective management of such risks is a primary concern and consideration of investors and regulatory authorities. Topics such as sustainability within financial institutions and markets and climate change impacts in finance are becoming essential for effective decision-making finance professionals. With the University of Edinburgh being a world-leading academic hub for the exploration of how the climate is changing, the impact of this upon the environment, society and economies and thus, how climate adaptation and mitigation strategies are evolving.

About the Climate Change Risk in Finance Executive Education Course 📣:

  • Topic: the consequences of climate change on finance – how to navigate data, measure risk, gain accurate insights for financial decision making, and capture opportunities related to transitioning to net zero, and the emerging climate-focused fintech products. This course aims to give financial services and fintech professionals the knowledge and confidence to engage with the topics of sustainable finance and climate-related financial risks, to understand their implications, and to take advantage of the opportunities ahead.
  • This course for You if you are a financial professional working in either asset management, investment or commercial bank, pension funds, insurance, fintech, or similar.
  • Outcomes: Over the course of 10 weeks, you will:
    • Explore theories and practice of sustainable finance and climate-related financial risks.
    • Be introduced to climate change fundamentals and terminology.
    • Understand how to translate the complex climate information compiled from observations and near- and long-term model predictions for financial decision-makers.
    • Understand how to assess and quantify the direct risks arising from climate change on physical assets, businesses, portfolios and supply chains; and also near-term disruptive impacts associated with mitigation policies, changing preferences, and ongoing technological change.
    • Understand the impact of climate change on different financial asset classes (equity markets, fixed-income markets, real estate).
    • Build confidence in applying learnings for financial decision-making.

 

  • Format: 10 ”“weeks long, online course, mix of self-paced materials – pre-recorded and live sessions. Delivered by academic experts & practitioners; facilitated discussions & additional resources
  • Start date: 3rd of May 2021.
  • Registration: https://climatechangeriskinfinance.eventbrite.co.uk/
  • Group bookings: Group discounts are available for colleagues from the same organisation. If you would like to register several participants from one company, please get in touch: Ksenia.Siedlecka@ei.ed.ac.uk
  • The course fee of £1,500 includes all tuition, guest speaker engagements, and course materials.
  • Further information:

https://www.business-school.ed.ac.uk/executive-education/climate-change-risk-in-finance