FinTech Wales undergoes leadership shift: Williams-Gardener assumes chair role

Sarah Williams-Gardener has stepped down as the chief executive officer of FinTech Wales to assume the role of chair, succeeding Louise O’Shea from January 2024.  

In her new role, Williams-Gardener is set to develop FinTech Wales’ strategic direction, and ensure its “robust governance structure” to maintain the organisations “transparency and inclusivity”.  

FinTech Wales, a not-for-profit launched in 2019, is dedicated to attracting and supporting more fintech enterprises to start and scale their business in Wales.  

Currently in search of a new chief executive officer, the organisation is committed to advancing tech and financial services within the region. 

Before joining FinTech Wales, Williams-Gardener was a founding member of Starling Bank and spent 17 years at IBM. 

During her time as chief executive officer, FinTech Wales has grown its membership by more than 150%, supported 22 startups through its accelerator programme, and secured a £1.6m investment from Cardiff Capital Region.  

On her new position, Williams-Gardener said: “Whilst sad that Louise has stepped down, I’m delighted that this has provided an opportunity for me to hand over the reins of FinTech Wales’ chief executive officer, whilst still being able to support and amplify the amazing things that Welsh fintechs and the FinTech Wales team are achieving.”  

Sarah added: “We are now in the third year of our four-year strategy, in which we have focused on four key pillars: skills and talent; ecosystem and community; funding and investment; and the promotion of Wales as a place for fintech and financial organisations to thrive.” 

O’Shea commented: “We applaud Sarah’s decision to embrace this new opportunity as chair, recognising the invaluable impact she will undoubtedly have on FinTech Wales and its future endeavours.” 

Image: FinTech Wales  

Josh Poyser Josh Poyser is an editor at FinTech Intel. He has written about fintech for several years and appeared at FinTech Connect 2023 on the 'Unlocking Success: The Art of Fintech PR' panel.