North West WealthTech Forum Write-up
On Wednesday, 2nd April, the Northern FinTech Community gathered in central Manchester for the North West WealthTech Forum, in partnership with Future Finance and hosted by Bruntwood SciTech at their No.1 Circle Square event space.
We were delighted to welcome over 60 delegates throughout the day, who actively participated in Q&A sessions and engaged in vibrant networking sessions.
Katherine Megson, Head of Innovation and Growth at Bruntwood SciTech, opened the event by welcoming attendees and providing an overview of the extensive support Bruntwood SciTech offers. She highlighted their collaboration with FinTech North, emphasising a shared mission to drive sector growth and innovation.
Joe Roche, General Manager of FinTech North, then took the stage to introduce the organisation, providing insights into the sector and highlighting upcoming activity.
Jonathan Beaverstock, Principal Investigator at the University of Bristol and Jack Stanbury, Senior Project Manager at Future Finance, followed with an overview of Future Finance’s role in fostering innovation within financial services, particularly in supporting technological advancements for underserved communities.
Julian Wells, Director at Whitecap Consulting, then provided a comprehensive analysis of regional FinTech ecosystems and the role of innovation in financial services. He shared insights from the Innovate UK report on AI for services and explored key market drivers, including cybersecurity (74%), AI (54%), data analysis (47%), and cloud computing (44%). Julian also addressed the importance of adopting new technologies to drive financial inclusion and accessibility. He closed, highlighting some key WealthTech headlines:
Consolidation – smaller firms being consolidated into larger entities seeking economies of scale.
Robo-advice – narrative has moved to enhancing the efficiency of the advice process, rather than replacing it.
Financial inclusion / Advice gap – clear need to increase the accessibility of advice, but commercial challenges
AI adoption – Increased exploratory use of AI / ML
Data, data, data – Increased importance of data and analytics, as the sector modernises (Open Finance, Smart Data..)
ESG – ongoing exploration of ESG related data.
The morning continued with an interactive discussion on social inclusion in WealthTech, featuring Suz Ferreira, Founder of Proper Financial Coaching, and Katherine Megson. They explored the challenges and opportunities in closing the financial accessibility gap, emphasising the need for financial education and digital inclusion to prevent individuals from being left behind. The conversation highlighted both the benefits and barriers that technology presents, particularly in ensuring that financial services are accessible to all.
A key topic was the digital divide—while technology has made financial services more accessible for many, it also risks excluding those without digital access or literacy. The discussion addressed the importance of trusted sources of financial information, as increased awareness does not always equate to informed decision-making. Gender bias in financial algorithms was also explored, with insights into how AI-driven solutions must be designed inclusively to prevent reinforcing existing inequalities.
The conversation then turned to the power of open banking and pension data in providing individuals with a holistic view of their finances. By leveraging these tools, FinTech firms can empower consumers with greater control over their financial health, helping them make informed financial decisions. Financial literacy was recognised as a crucial foundation, with open banking serving as the next step in enabling individuals to have control over their finances.
A key theme of the forum was bridging generational wealth and addressing the challenges and opportunities in wealth transfer. Jon Fisher, Head of Wealth Management at Sedulo, and Foluso Laguda, Strategy and Innovation Consultant at Whitecap Consulting, discussed family dynamics, financial literacy, and the complexities of inheritance tax. They emphasised the growing need for financial advice, particularly as wealth is often transferred through one-off life events such as inheritance, business sales, or windfalls. The discussion highlighted the importance of communication within families to set expectations and foster financial education across generations.
The conversation also explored how technology is transforming wealth management for the better. Open banking and digital financial tools are enabling a more holistic view of assets, helping individuals make more informed decisions. AI-driven financial planning and forecasting tools provide clearer insights into future financial scenarios, improving wealth management strategies. FinTech innovations are addressing accessibility and reducing friction in financial planning, ultimately making wealth transfer more seamless and efficient.
The afternoon featured a panel discussion on the Future of Savings, chaired by Ryan Woods, Head of Strategy at Started PR. The panel included Jackie Kingham, Director of Business Transformation at Raisin; Dr Emma Black, CEO and Co-founder of Cascade; Georgina Mitchell, Non-Executive Director at Orbis Investments UK; and Vipashyana Srivastava, Co-founder of Scholar Saver.
The discussion explored the current state of savings in the UK, with Jackie noting that 34% of Britons have no savings or less than £1,000, while an estimated £1 trillion remains in low-interest accounts. Georgina highlighted that 8.6 million people hold more than £10,000 in cash, with many reluctant to invest. Emma spoke about the Financial Conduct Authority’s (FCA) role in encouraging risk awareness and better savings habits, while Vipashyana addressed the financial literacy gap and the need to embed education into FinTech solutions.
Technology’s role in enhancing financial services was another crucial theme. The panel explored the impact of AI, open banking, and gamification in driving engagement and financial literacy. Emma noted that regulatory change should promote open conversations about money, while Jackie highlighted the importance of user experience design (UXD) and data-driven insights in making financial management seamless. The discussion also touched on the cultural barriers to discussing wealth and savings, particularly in the UK, and how FinTech can help shift mindsets and encourage greater financial awareness.
The forum concluded with a reflection on the future of FinTech and financial inclusion. Georgina emphasised the progress made in recent years and the importance of continued innovation, while Emma reinforced that even small steps toward change are meaningful. Vipashyana expressed optimism that financial technology will become more integrated, further opening doors for inclusion and accessibility.
As the event drew to a close, delegates continued to network and exchange insights, underscoring the importance of collaboration in shaping the future of financial services.
The North West WealthTech Forum provided a valuable platform for knowledge-sharing and discussion, demonstrating the role of FinTech in fostering financial literacy, innovation, and inclusion, which are integral in the continual evolution of the sector. Thank you very much to Future Finance for sponsoring the event, to Bruntwood SciTech for hosting, to our brilliant speakers for their insights and to our community for attending.
For more information on upcoming activity and partnerships, reach out to us at info@fintechnorth.uk.
