UK fintech sector innovation on show at virtual awards ceremony

Xero, Tide and Cuvva were among the winners announced during the virtual ceremony on ukfintechawards.co.uk, where the sector celebrated the successes of the past 12 months and its dedication to supporting customers in these difficult times

A host of companies and professionals were recognised as the most innovative in the UK fintech sector at the virtual UK FinTech Awards last night.

Xero, Tide and Cuvva were among the winners announced during the virtual ceremony on ukfintechawards.co.uk, where the sector celebrated the successes of the past 12 months and its dedication to supporting customers in these difficult times.

Starling Bank took home FinTech of the Year, with the judges commending the digital bank for removing the stress from personal finance and giving its customers control by empowering them through ease and speed of use.

The digital bank has made its customers more savvy when it comes to managing their own money and was described by the judges as “a real trailblazer”.

Of the individuals to be recognised at the UK FinTech Awards, Emma Steeley of AccountScore won Director of the Year.

The judges said Steeley had changed customers’ lives through innovation, driving both her own organisation and team to achieve significant growth.

Steeley is also a role model, having helped to launch Women in Open Finance, and serves as a real leader within the fintech sector.

In his speech during the virtual UK FinTech Awards, Stephen Ingledew, chief executive of FinTech Scotland and chair of the independent judging panel that assessed hundreds of entries earlier this year to decide the award winners, praised the entrants, finalists and the wider sector for rising to the challenges brought by the Covid-19 pandemic.

He said: “Whilst we live in hugely uncertain economic and social times arising from the pandemic, the UK’s fintech movement has more than risen to the challenges faced by people, communities and business by imaginative and innovative new solutions in an increasingly digital and virtual world.”

“In short, the creativity and resilience by fintechs teams across the country has been absolutely inspiring and uplifting, providing important glimmers of hope and determination in coming through these troubled times.”

“This has been brought alive by the exciting array of UK FinTech Award submissions from FinTech leaders and teams this year, all of whom have demonstrated how innovation, collaboration and inclusion go hand in hand in delivering positive impact in the financial world.”

While financial services continue to adapt to the new normal, and as customers consider their current and future needs, find out what the independent judging panel had to say about each and every winner at the UK FinTech Awards 2020.

Stay tuned for details about the UK FinTech Awards 2021 and news of the EU, US and Asia FinTech Awards, as the celebration of this innovative and dynamic sector goes global.

Image: UK FinTech Awards

Mark Dugdale