FinTech projects grow following academic-business engagement workshop

08 Dec 2017

Five new collaborative research projects are now being developed, following the University’s first ever ‘FinTech’ themed event at the end of November.

The event brought together academics from FSE and Humanities with participants from the financial industry to address Fintech – the application of new technologies to financial services and transactions. One of the projects will address the financial ‘wellness’ of people in different age groups, helping financial companies to develop products and services that will be of most use to people in the future. Another project is looking to enhance PIN security.

FinTech is a fast-developing new sector combining innovative technology start-up companies and traditional financial services companies, with whom we have been increasing engagement in recent months. It offers opportunity for new inter-disciplinary activities and the event saw participants from the Schools of Computer Science and Maths join with colleagues from Alliance Manchester Business School, Law, School of Environment, Education and Development and School of Social Sciences.

The event was hailed as a great success by business and academic participants alike. Mark Davies of Barclays commented: “It was really good to see how The University of Manchester is actively embracing FinTech and collaborating with North West enterprises.”

Associate Dean for Business Engagement for Humanities and University academic lead for FinTech, Dr Andrew James, said: “This event helped to establish key partnerships with industry partners that will ensure that our academic activity in this area maximises impacts on business and society. We’re now planning a major conference for Spring 2018 involving major financial services institutions including the Financial Conduct Authority and HM Treasury as well as banks and FinTech specialists”.

If you have research interests in this area and are not currently part of the internal FinTech network please contact Rachel who leads on FinTech for the University Business Engagement Strategy Team: Rachel.Kenyon@manchester.ac.uk.