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FinTech NI announces appointment of Chris Jessup as Chairperson

Posted By:
A&L Goodbody

24th Oct 2022

FinTech NI, the not-for-profit industry association representing the £392 million fintech sector in Northern Ireland, has announced the appointment of Chris Jessup as Chairperson.

Chris comes to the helm after serving three years on the Board of the FinTech NI Association, succeeding outgoing Chair and Northern Ireland FinTech Envoy Andrew Jenkins.

A Partner at leading corporate law firm A&L Goodbody, he has a background in financial services and years of experience advising fintech companies and financial services institutions on UK and EU regulatory matters.

The appointment will bolster the organisation’s work in showcasing Northern Ireland’s excellence in fintech on the world stage. A not-for-profit industry association, FinTech NI represents the workforce of over 7,000 individuals and 75 companies, and exists to champion the ecosystem on a local, national, and international level.

Chris’ term as Chairperson of the Association will further the implementation of the three-year Northern Ireland FinTech strategy and roadmap. Published last year, it validated the Treasury’s identification of Northern Ireland as one of ten leading UK fintech clusters and estimated the creation of 25 new fintech companies, the attraction of £25 million in additional Foreign Direct Investment and generation of thousands of new jobs in the next three years.

Working to implement the strategy, FinTech NI is focussed on attracting young people into the sector, connecting SMEs to investors and large institutions, and promoting Northern Ireland on the world stage.

Speaking after his appointment, Chris Jessup said:

“I am excited to take on the position of Chairperson of FinTech NI at such an important time for the sector. The possibility for growth in Northern Ireland is very evident, yet strong leadership from all stakeholders is required to ensure the companies that make up our dynamic ecosystem are represented on the local and international stage.”

“We are facing into a turbulent time on several fronts. It has never been more vital for the Northern Irish economy to support our SMEs, build a sustainable talent pipeline, and encourage scaling among entrepreneurs so that we can reach our full potential.”

“These are the areas I intend to focus on as I embark on my term as Chairperson. I wish to thank my fellow Board members for their ongoing collaboration and support and pay tribute to outgoing Chair Andrew Jenkins for leading us through another hugely successful year at FinTech NI. The depth of expertise on the board, as well as the quality of our ecosystem, will undoubtedly help us deliver on our key aims and cement Northern Ireland’s position as a world leader in fintech.”