FinTech Wales, the independent membership association and champion of the Fintech and Financial Services industry in Wales, has today announced that Sarah Kocianski has been appointed as its new CEO.
A fintech and insurtech strategist with over a decade of industry experience, Sarah has worked with global organisations, scaleups and startups from across the financial services industry and beyond, including major banks and insurers, healthtechs and retailers.
Sarah also has experience working with a number of fintech membership groups, including Qorus, and sits on the committee at WVC:E, where she works with the VC industry to improve equality in the investment ecosystem, benefitting investors and founders alike.
Prior to this, Sarah led Strategic Insights at Founders Factory where she supported financial services partners including Aviva with their fintech investment strategies. She was also the Head of Competitor Strategy at 11:FS, a challenger consultancy that delivers benchmarking, research, and consultancy for banks, insurers, governments, regulators and startups across the world.
On her appointment, Sarah said: “I’m absolutely over the moon to take on the CEO role at FinTech Wales and will be using my experience to help support the wider fintech ecosystem in Wales. Having worked with fintechs in countries all over the world, I know firsthand the harsh realities of founding and scaling a fintech business, particularly when it comes to funding and investment strategies.
“Wales has such an amazing reputation as a fintech hub – which is thanks to the innovation and talent we have here. I can’t wait to continue the significant work that the FinTech Wales team does to support these businesses, and champion what Welsh fintechs have to offer on local, national and global stages. This is a great time for fintech and with a lot of resources already at our fingertips in Wales, as well as our inherent drive and passion, I’m confident we can do even more to make Wales an influential fintech hub on a global level.”
