New Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland appointed by HM Treasury
Published: October 4, 2019
The Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, the Minister responsible for Fintech, has appointed Andrew Jenkins as the new Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland.
Belfast based Jenkins, Director in Arity, a company founded by The Allstate Corporation, succeeds Georgina O'Leary as HM Treasury's appointed ambassador to promote the UK government's world leading Fintech strategy here.
Jenkins has more than 20 years in the technology sector, with extensive experience across financial services, utilities, insurance, telecoms and transportation sectors.
In Jenkin's current role at Arity where he leads a team of 60 people focused on building a platform harnessing mobility data to create more relevant and safer mobility experiences for everyone, he brings a keen understanding of the value of coalition building and creating new technology from the ground up.
Fintech is one of the fastest growing sectors in the UK economy, encompassing innovation in financial services including digital banking, payment technologies, peer-to-peer lending and crowdfunding platforms.
Northern Ireland historically has been a significant driver of the Fintech sector, as Belfast is largely recognised as the world's top destination for Fintech development investment projects and the top city in Europe for new FDI software development projects. And with more than 36,000 people in Northern Ireland employed across the financial and professional services section, 1 in 4 of those are employed in technology roles.
In his role, Andrew will be responsible for promoting Northern Ireland's thriving Fintech sector and championing it as a place for firms to continue to develop and grow their businesses.
Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, commented:
"Fintech is the future of financial services, and we want each corner of the UK to be able to harness its power. Our new regional fintech envoy for Northern Ireland, Andrew Jenkins, will help the sector to grow and flourish throughout Belfast and beyond."
"I want to congratulate Andrew on taking up this new role and I am certain he will build on the success of the existing envoys in helping the UK to remain at the cutting edge of the digital revolution."
Andrew Jenkins, the new Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland added:
"The UK Government has recognised the potential of this industry and in the last budget, HM Treasury re-affirmed its commitment to ensuring the UK is at the forefront of this technological revolution."
"I am honoured to be chosen as the Fintech Envoy for Northern Ireland by the Economic Secretary to the Treasury, John Glen MP, where I will collaborate with the sector here to harness our incredible potential to lead the region and beyond in fintech expertise and offerings."
"I will work to bring together business and civic leaders to invest in leading edge technologies and applications, focusing on emerging capabilities in blockchain, artificial intelligence and data security, to further grow the sector in Northern Ireland."
"Our mandate as part of the UK Fintech strategy is to capitalise on what we have already have in place here in Northern Ireland. With strong Government support, close collaboration between big companies and startups and a world class workforce, Northern Ireland has the potential to become the best place in the world to start and build a Fintech company."
