FinTech Scotland announces more strategic partners

FinTech Scotland, the body established by the Scottish Government, the financial services sector and University of Edinburgh to ensure that Scotland seizes fintech opportunities and achieves critical mass in the sector by encouraging financial innovation, collaboration and inclusion, has announced the appointment of IBM and Equifax as additional strategic partners.

The latest additions mean FinTech Scotland has now appointed six strategic partners, following last month’s announcement confirming the selection of Pinsent Masons, Deloitte, Dentsu Aegis Network and Sopra Steria.

IBM has been leading the way in terms of AI for many years now with Watson, the AI platform for business, powered by data. As an AI system, Watson can turn unstructured business data into actionable insights that enhance decision making. AI is playing a major role in the development of innovative and disruptive fintech solutions, allowing for seamless processes for customers and companies dealing with finances.

“Today marks the start of a promising collaboration with Fintech Scotland to grow innovative solutions and practices” said Paul Ryan, Director for Watson at IBM. “This is particularly significant as financial organisations look to further incorporate data and AI insights to provide a better service for their customers and stakeholders, from boosting customer engagement, creating conversational agents or even supporting client representatives as they interact with customers.”

In a statement announcing its latest partners, FinTech Scotland said Equifax brings “a rich heritage of helping companies develop innovative solutions underpinned by market leading consumer and business data”.

Neil Cunningham, Partnerships Director at Equifax, said: “The Fintech Scotland vision aligns perfectly with our own aspirations to be the de facto bureau partner for data driven innovation. Increasingly our customers are looking to us to help solve their problems by creating unique solutions in collaboration with fintech partners. I think we’ve all been impressed by the blend of complementary strategic partners Stephen has been able to assemble, and excited at the potential to drive innovation through collaboration.”

Stephen Ingledew, CEO at FinTech Scotland, said: “Strategic partners of this quality supporting the fintech ecosystem in Scotland will help us achieve our ambition to be in the top 5 fintech hubs in the world. I’m pleased to have a diverse set of strategic partners and with their expertise and global reach, they will play a crucial role in ensuring Scotland’s position on the world stage.”