Regional independent industry association FinTech Wales has appointed former Founders Factory strategist Sarah Kocianski as CEO.
Founded in 2019, the organisation represents Wales’ fintech community, offering a collective voice for government lobbying and acting as a collaborative ecosystem for the industry.
The group also runs the FinTech Wales Foundry accelerator for promising startups in the space.
Kocianski has worked across fintech and insurtech for more than a decade, previously working as the strategic insights lead at Founders Factory as well as an analyst and later head of competitor strategy at financial consultancy firm 11:FS.
Kocianski also spent two years as a fintech analyst for Business Insider UK.
“Having worked with fintechs in countries all over the world, I know first-hand the harsh realities of founding and scaling a fintech business, particularly when it comes to funding and investment strategies,” said Kocianski.
“Wales has such an amazing reputation as a fintech hub – which is thanks to the innovation and talent we have here.
“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.”
Kocianski will replace outgoing FinTech Wales CEO Sarah Williams-Gardener, who has held the role for the past three years.
Williams-Gardener said: “I am confidently handing the baton over as we embark on the next stage of evolution to ensure sustainability allowing us to continue to nurture and grow the Welsh fintech ecosystem.
“Sarah epitomises this ideal, boasting invaluable knowledge in the industry. Her expertise and unwavering dedication to support fintechs underscore her alignment with FinTech Wales’ mission.”
Read more: Why Wales is a hotspot for manufacturing technology