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Showcasing Scotland’s Fintech Leadership across the UK.

As UK FinTech Week 2025 approaches, we are delighted to share that we’ll be playing an active role throughout the week, engaging in critical conversations, championing innovation, and showcasing the strength and ambition of Scotland’s fintech community on a global stage.

Here’s a look at where you can find us and what we’ll be up to. We’d love for you to join us.

Monday 28 April

We kick off the week in London, where our CEO Nicola Anderson will speak at the Global FinTech Forum. This event, led by the Department for Business & Trade, HM Treasury, and the Office for Investment, brings together a very global audience with over 30 nations represented. Nicola will contribute to a panel exploring vital growth drivers for UK fintech.
You can still register here.

Tuesday 29 April

Nicola will take the stage again at IFGS, the flagship event of the week, to discuss regional fintech growth. The session will build on the recent Innovate UK report, to which FinTech Scotland contributed. With over 1,500 attendees and participants from more than 70 countries, this is a fantastic opportunity to showcase the Scottish fintech cluster on the world stage.

In the evening, Nicola will join industry leaders at the exclusive NVIDIA: AI in FSI Meet-Up. This gathering will explore how AI is transforming financial services, from boosting operational efficiency to enhancing customer experience and managing risk.

Wednesday 30 April

We’ll be at the FCA RegTech Forum, an event designed to foster innovation and growth in UK regulatory technology. Delivered in partnership with Innovate Finance and the City of London Corporation, this forum will explore the role of RegTech in supporting the evolving needs of financial services. If you would like to attend you can register your interest here.

On the same day we’ll also be cheering on the next generation of fintech talent at Pitch360, where ten innovative companies will go head-to-head with just three minutes to pitch their bold ideas.

The day will conclude with a celebration of fintech innovation at an event organised in partnership with our strategic partner BT. This invitation-only reception at BT Tower will focus on a critical enabler of fintech innovation. We’ll explore how technology and connectivity are essential to the future of AI, with keynote insights from BT introducing their Global Fabric.

Thursday 1 May

We return to Scotland for the Financial Services Technology Summit hosted by Digit. Nicola will join a panel of industry leaders, discussing the intersection of technology and operational resilience in financial services. This session will cover practical strategies, regulatory shifts, and real-world case studies.
She will be joined by Derek Shanks, Head of Digital Technology, Lloyds Banking Group, Yvonne Dunn, Partner at Pinsent Masons, Rob Mossop, Chief Data Officer at Sword and Stephen Johnston, Distinguished Engineer at Barclays Group.

To round off the week, we’ll be hosting a Scottish fintech gathering, an evening of networking, community, and collaboration. We’re inviting the entire Scottish fintech community to come together, connect and celebrate past and future successes.

Sword Group Expands Cybersecurity and AI Capabilities with Acquisition of Edinburgh-based iDelta

Sword Group, a FinTech Scotland’s strategic partners, has announced its acquisition of Edinburgh-based fintech iDelta Ltd, a specialist firm focused on customised data solutions, cybersecurity monitoring, AI automation, and fraud analytics.

Founded in Scotland’s thriving tech ecosystem, iDelta has developed a strong reputation for its bespoke solutions in infrastructure and application monitoring, particularly within financial services. Its specialist consultants have created innovative tools for managing Open Banking data APIs and have developed extensions available on the popular Splunk marketplace. These solutions streamline the integration process with third-party technologies, enabling customers to effectively harness their data assets.

Kevin Moreton, CEO of Sword UK, described the move as a strategic step towards enhancing Sword’s capabilities in cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, particularly within the financial services sector.

“We’re pleased to welcome iDelta into Sword Group. This acquisition is well-aligned with our strategic vision for 2028 and significantly strengthens our cybersecurity strategy. Combining our expertise will enable us to deliver even greater value to our customers,” Moreton said.

Stuart Robertson from iDelta also welcomed the acquisition, noting the shared commitment between both companies towards innovation and technical excellence.

“Joining Sword opens exciting new opportunities for growth and collaboration. Our strong partnerships with Splunk and Cisco, combined with Sword’s extensive resources, mean we’re perfectly positioned to expand our offerings and accelerate our capabilities,” Robertson said.

Sword Group, known for providing business technology solutions across energy, public, commercial, and financial sectors, currently employs over 600 staff across its UK locations, including Aberdeen, Glasgow, Teesside, and London.

The acquisition underlines Sword Group’s strategic approach to bolstering its technical expertise in critical domains like cybersecurity and AI, reflecting broader industry trends towards greater digital resilience and smarter data utilisation.

FNZ Secures $500 Million to Support Long-Term Growth

Scottish fintech FNZ, a global provider of wealth management platforms, just secured $500 million in new capital from its existing shareholders. This funding will support the company’s long-term sustainable growth.  

Strengthening Financial Foundations

The injection of capital will enhance FNZ’s financial stability, providing a solid foundation to support its business strategies and customer relationships. With this strengthened financial position, FNZ is better equipped to navigate the evolving financial services landscape. 

A History of Strategic Growth

Since its inception in 2003 by founder Adrian Durham, FNZ has experienced significant growth. The company now partners with over 650 financial institutions and 12,000 wealth managers, administering assets exceeding $1.7 trillion for more than 24 million investors worldwide.  

FNZ’s growth strategy has included several key acquisitions:

• 2018: Acquired German investment platform ebase, expanding its European presence. 

• 2019: Purchased London-based JHC Systems Ltd, enhancing its wealth management software capabilities. 

• 2022: Acquired Appway, a Zurich-based client onboarding firm, to improve client integration processes. 

Leadership and Future Outlook

In August 2024, FNZ underwent a leadership transition, appointing Blythe Masters as Group CEO and Roman Regelman as Group President. This change was accompanied by an additional $1 billion investment from existing institutional investors, reflecting confidence in the company’s direction.  

Innovation Accelerator Fuels Glasgow City Region’s Fintech Future: Driving Growth, Jobs, and Global Leadership

The Centre of Innovation for Financial Regulation, known as the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab (FRIL), is shaping the future of regulatory responsible innovation as part of the UK government’s Innovation Accelerator programme. 

Led by FinTech Scotland in partnership with Universities of Strathclyde and Glasgow, FRIL is delivering pioneering advances in artificial intelligence and accelerating innovation that helps protect people from financial crime. It is also creating digital services that help citizens and businesses get access to the right financial products at the right time, helping citizens live better financially resilient lives. 

The FRIL initiative is already in the process of delivering an impressive return on investment of £6 to every £1 in public funding.

It is one of 11 projects funded within the Glasgow City Region portfolio of the Innovation Accelerator (IA) pilot programme, which is transforming the innovation landscape in the UK and paving the way for the future of place-based research and development (R&D) investment. 

Since its launch, the Innovation Accelerator programme has invested £100m in 26 transformative R&D projects between 2023-25, focusing on high-potential innovation clusters across three UK regions – Greater Manchester, West Midlands and Glasgow City Region and has been extended by £30m for 2025/26. The programme builds on regional cluster strengths and brings together the innovation ecosystem, to drive economic growth and technological advancement. 

The programme is led by Innovate UK, on behalf of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and co-created in Glasgow City Region with regional leadership to ensure it is locally led and focused on harnessing the region’s  strengths in advanced manufacturing, space, photonics, healthcare, precision medicine and financial technology (fintech).

With over 250 companies engaged, £47 million in co-investment secured, and a thriving ecosystem of high-growth sectors now flourishing, by focusing on innovation – rather than pure research – the Innovation Accelerator programme has leveraged Glasgow City Region’s existing strengths, infrastructure, and partnerships to accelerate progress.  The success of the Innovation Accelerator programme underscores the importance of long-term regional autonomy in funding decisions. With the right support, Glasgow City Region’s innovation ecosystem is poised for sustainable growth, ensuring it remains a premier destination for business, talent, and groundbreaking ideas.

Two years since its launch the projects supported are demonstrating globally competitive research and development that is putting the region’s innovation strengths on the map, including FRIL. 

FRIL is built on four workstreams namely innovation challenges, actionable research, skills and education, and knowledge exchange. Crucially FRIL’s industry-led accelerator model has demonstrated how to drive economic growth, job creation, and productivity in financial services and the broader economy as well as position Glasgow City Region’s as a global powerhouse for next-generation fintech innovation. It is accelerating business development by up to 12 months, advancing technology adoption and enabling fintech partnerships that are driving strong commercial outcomes.

This has all been reinforced by the industry co-investment in FRIL, with commitments reaching up to £20 million across financial services institutions such as Morgan Stanley, Lloyds Banking Group, Aberdeen, NatWest, TSB and Advanced Credit Union that have enabled the new services to be created and new fintech enterprises to emerge, as well as job creation projected and realised by FRIL FinTech grant award winners.

Through FRIL there are also 18 diverse fintech SMEs creating new jobs. Examples of this include the fast growing Scottish based scale-up Amiqus, which delivers a product that solves compliance and onboarding challenges for businesses taking on new clients or hiring staff. Amiqus has hired over 20 new employees with further growth plans in the pipeline, following an award from the FRIL innovation challenge initiative. 

FRIL is also helping UK regions beyond Glasgow City Region, including Greater Manchester and West Midlands to become globally competitive R&D powerhouses for financial technology, delivering strong economic returns and high-value employment.

Science Minister, Lord Vallance, said: 

“The Innovation Accelerator programme is unlocking new opportunities for growth in regions across the UK and this £30m investment backs further collaboration between business, academia and government to build on local innovation that can improve lives across the country.

“Glasgow City Region’s Financial Regulation Innovation Lab’s return of £6 for every £1 invested is helping to strengthen the economy, while its work in advancing technology in financial services will help position the Glasgow City Region as a hub for next generation fintech innovation that benefits the economy across Scotland and the wider UK.”

Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council, added:


“Glasgow has long been at the forefront of financial services and innovation, and setting up the Financial Regulation Innovation Lab cements our position as a leading global fintech hub. The FRIL initiative is driving significant economic impact, creating high-value jobs, driving investment, and fostering collaboration between industry, academia, and government. 

“It’s exciting to see how the Innovation Accelerator programme has been the catalyst to driving locally led innovation, resulting in significant economic growth and technological advancement.”

Nicola Anderson, CEO of Fintech Scotland, commented:


“We are incredibly proud of the impact that The Financial Regulation Innovation Lab is making, harnessing the power of financial innovation to drive economic growth. The investment in FRIL has been game changing, allowing us to support more businesses and drive meaningful economic impact both at a national and global level. 

“We continue to build on this momentum by further accelerating innovation and technology adoption whilst developing the skill base, enhancing academic application and driving better financial product engagement for customers.”

For more information and to find out about other projects that have been funded through the programme, visit the Innovate UK Business Connect website.

Scottish Enterprise Launches Innovative Export Assessment Tool to Support Scottish Businesses

Scottish Enterprise have just launched of a new and free digital Export Assessment Tool designed to help Scottish companies accelerate their international trade activities.

This easy-to-use digital tool provides tailored guidance, clearly identifying where businesses are on their exporting journey, recommending crucial next steps, and highlighting the available support to help achieve their international goals.

Completing the assessment takes less than 10 minutes, after which companies receive an individualised Export Progress Report detailing:

  • Export Stage: Clearly defines the current position in the exporting process and summarises progress made.
  • Next Steps: Provides specific, actionable tasks for moving forward.
  • Available Support: Highlights the extensive support network available across Scotland and the UK, guiding businesses towards the best resources to assist their exporting journey.

Scottish Enterprise is bridging a crucial gap in export support for companies not currently engaged directly with trade sector teams, empowering businesses to self-serve and progress confidently in the global market.

You can use the tool here.

Safello and Zumo Partner to Elevate Crypto Sustainability Compliance in Sweden’s Crypto Sector

Swedish cryptocurrency exchange Safello has partnered with Zumo, a leading digital assets platform specialising in carbon calculation and sustainability reporting. This strategic alliance is designed to help Safello meet the rigorous sustainability disclosure requirements set by the EU’s Markets in Crypto-Assets Regulation (MiCAR).

As MiCAR’s Article 66 comes into effect, crypto asset service providers (CASPs) operating within the EU must publicly disclose the environmental impacts of the digital assets they offer. With this collaboration, Safello proactively addresses this requirement, positioning itself as an early adopter of sustainability best practices in the cryptocurrency industry.

Zumo’s expertise will provide Safello with precise, transparent data on carbon emissions associated with crypto activities. This partnership allows Safello to meet regulatory standards and to strengthen trust among its stakeholders by demonstrating an active commitment to sustainability.

Tara Abid, Chief Compliance Officer at Safello, commented,

“Compliance is central to our business strategy. Our partnership with Zumo ensures we can deliver accurate sustainability data to our customers, maintaining our leadership position in regulatory alignment and transparency.”

Nick Jones, Founder and CEO of Zumo, said,

“Safello’s choice to partner with us highlights the increasing importance of sustainability reporting in crypto. Our Oxygen product suite enables businesses like Safello to align digital asset operations with net-zero targets and comply effectively with evolving EU regulations.”

With Sweden’s Financial Supervisory Authority mandating compliance with MiCAR by 30 September 2025, Safello’s proactive partnership with Zumo represents a forward-thinking step toward sustainability integration within the crypto sector.

For further details or to explore collaboration opportunities, contact Zumo

Snugg Introduces ‘Carbon Cashback’ for Energy-Savvy Homeowners

Businesses across the UK now have an exciting new opportunity to support their customers in becoming more energy efficient, thanks to Edinburgh-based fintech Snugg. The Carbon Cashback platform, launching initially in beta, enables businesses to offer homeowners annual cash rewards for achieving verified carbon reductions through home energy improvements.

This approach uses smart meter data to track home carbon savings such as those from installing insulation, heat pumps, or solar panels. Snugg then transform those savings into carbon credits for sale in the Voluntary Carbon Market. It’s a powerful incentive for homeowners, tackling one of the most significant barriers they face: the upfront cost of sustainability upgrades.

For businesses, the benefits are equally compelling. Partnering with Snugg offers companies a distinctive proposition to attract and retain customers, reinforcing brand commitment to sustainability. Additionally, participating companies gain valuable insights into customer energy consumption and carbon footprint reductions, crucial data for businesses aiming to lower their Scope 3 emissions and meet net-zero goals.

George Wilson, Carbon Markets Lead at Snugg, explains:

“The Carbon Cashback platform directly addresses the financial barriers homeowners encounter. For businesses, it’s a unique way to differentiate their offerings while actively engaging customers in sustainability initiatives. It also provides access to valuable emissions data, empowering companies to advance their net-zero strategies more effectively.”

The platform’s development was supported by the UK Government’s DESNZ ‘Green Home Finance Accelerator’ programme and has already demonstrated significant interest, with over 90% of testing participants keen to engage. Snugg is actively seeking early adopter businesses to join the beta phase, ahead of the wider market launch planned for later in 2025.

Businesses can play a very important role in accelerating the UK’s residential decarbonisation efforts (a market estimated at £250 billion). Importantly, this isn’t a greenwashing exercise. Rather, it positions businesses as genuine leaders in sustainability, supporting real, measurable carbon reductions.

If you are Interested in becoming a partner or learning more about Carbon Cashback, visit snugg.com/carbon-cashback.

BLK’s £50 Million Funding, a Turning Point for Digital Commodities Trading

The commodities trading industry, historically reliant on traditional methods, has recently seen a surge of digital innovation. At the forefront of this digital revolution is Scottish fintech BLK, a pioneering UK-based online commodities marketplace, which has just secured an impressive £50 million equity investment from Panama-based Nimbus Capital. This substantial funding signals a shift toward technology-driven solutions within an industry ripe for transformation.

Commodities trading, involving everything from metals and energy to agricultural goods, has long suffered from inefficiencies and lack of transparency. Traders frequently navigate complex logistics, opaque pricing structures, and cumbersome administrative processes. BLK’s mission has been clear from the start, to disrupt these traditional trading barriers using advanced technology like blockchain and artificial intelligence (AI). With Nimbus Capital’s backing, BLK is now in an even stronger position to realise this vision.

Blockchain technology, well-known for its application in cryptocurrencies, holds immense potential for commodities trading. It enables unprecedented transparency by securely recording each transaction on an immutable ledger. This reduces the risk of fraud and error and fosters greater trust between buyers and sellers. With AI, BLK is further streamlining trade by optimising logistics, forecasting market trends more accurately, and significantly reducing operational costs. These technological advancements will reshape how commodities markets function, offering substantial competitive advantages to early adopters.

The £50 million investment will also directly support BLK’s operational expansion. Key plans include the strategic acquisition of new shipping vessels, which is crucial for expanding BLK’s logistics capabilities. Enhancing logistics will ensure BLK can efficiently meet rising demand, reduce shipping times, and improve the overall reliability of commodity supply chains.

The investment is a clear indication of BLK’s long-term strategy and market ambition. BLK has announced plans to list publicly via an IPO in 2025, a major milestone that will open new avenues for growth, visibility, and investor engagement.

Lloyds Banking Group’s 2025 Launch Innovation Programme

Lloyds Banking Group is bringing back its Launch Innovation programme for 2025. Applications are now open for this initiative which offers a great opportunity for tech innovators from any industry to collaborate with one of the UK’s largest financial institutions.

The 12-week programme will provide expert mentorship from Lloyds’ senior management and industry specialists and enable selected participants to run a commercial proof of concept with the financial group. This initiative is designed to support ambitious entrepreneurs and innovative businesses looking to make an impact in sectors ranging from finance and technology to health, travel, and beyond.

Why start-ups should apply

The Launch Innovation programme presents a real opportunity for start-ups to gain exposure and validation in a real-world banking environment. Past success stories like Caura, Doshi, and MyPocketSkill demonstrate the transformative potential of this initiative.

Caura, a smart motoring app, secured a £4m investment from Lloyds’ fintech investment team, demonstrating the programme’s ability to take start-ups to the next level. Similarly, Doshi’s collaboration with Lloyds has helped gamify financial education, and MyPocketSkill is leveraging behavioural science to empower young people financially.

This programme is perfect for start-ups looking to refine their business models, access mentorship, and explore potential funding opportunities.

 

A Unique Opportunity for Start-ups Across All Sectors

Lloyds Banking Group’s commitment to innovation goes beyond financial services. The programme is open to start-ups across a diverse range of industries, including technology, health, sustainability, and consumer services. Lloyds Banking Group aims to provide customers with the best-in-class services and enhanced user experiences.

Participants will benefit from:

  • Hands-on mentorship from senior industry experts
  • Opportunities to develop and test innovative solutions
  • Insights into scaling and commercialising their products
  • Potential partnerships and investment opportunities with Lloyds Banking Group

For more informations and to apply click here

Equifax UK and CienDos Partner to Revolutionise Financed Emissions Reporting

FinTech Scotland’s strategic partner Equifax UK has partnered with Scottish fintech CienDos to launch the Financed Emissions Calculator™, a game-changing solution designed to streamline sustainability reporting and help financial institutions track their carbon footprint with greater precision.

 

Transforming financed emissions calculations

The Financed Emissions Calculator™ is the first-to-market solution that automates the traditionally manual and error-prone processes of measuring financed emissions. Built on Equifax’s fully cloud-native infrastructure, this innovative tool combines Equifax’s commercial credit insights with CienDos’ advanced emissions data methodologies. The result? A powerful platform that provides lenders with robust, auditable, and transparent carbon values based on sector-specific emission factors.

Financial institutions can now:

  • Enhance accuracy in emissions reporting
  • Improve traceability of carbon data across portfolios
  • Align with regulatory compliance under frameworks like IFRS S2
  • Make informed lending and investment decisions to support net-zero targets

 

Why financed emissions matter

Financed emissions are the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions indirectly attributed to financial institutions through their lending and investment activities. Unlike direct emissions, which stem from an organisation’s own operations, financed emissions come from the projects and businesses that banks, insurers, and asset managers fund. In many cases, financed emissions make up up to 95% of a financial institution’s total carbon footprint, forming a crucial part of Scope 3.15 reporting requirements.

Until now, many institutions have relied on high-level estimations and manual spreadsheets, making it difficult to track real-time emissions or project future climate impact scenarios. The Financed Emissions Calculator™ changes this landscape by offering an automated, data-driven solution that enhances transparency and enables more effective decision-making.

Equifax UK’s ESG Product Manager, Brad Davies, emphasised the critical role of financial institutions in tackling climate change:

“The role of financial institutions in helping to combat climate change is gaining significant attention, but indirect financed emissions associated with loans and other credit lines are among the most complex to track. By integrating environmental data with leading financial risk assessments, the Financed Emissions Calculator™ empowers UK lenders to measure and mitigate their climate impact. We’re excited to partner with CienDos to fill the knowledge gaps for clients with this first-to-market solution.”

CienDos Chief Executive Julia Salmond highlighted the collaboration’s impact on simplifying sustainability reporting:

“Equifax and CienDos have a shared vision to simplify the complex reporting requirements around financial firms’ carbon footprints. As a critical player at the heart of the UK financial ecosystem, Equifax’s extensive commercial credit data successfully combines with our own market-leading emissions data technology to help transform the management of portfolio emissions for firms, delivering greater accuracy and precision for their financed emissions reporting needs.”