Fife Council has teamed up with French-headquartered electronic transactions firm, Ingenico, to create a fintech consortium aimed at creating opportunities for youngsters in Fife.

Ingenico, which has a base in Dalgety Bay, will spearhead to group, which involves Fife payments technology companies large and small and will work to tackle the digital skills gap.

Fife Council’s Convener of Economy, Tourism, Strategic Planning and Transportation Committee Cllr Altany Craik visited Ingenico’s Fife office this week, where he was given a tour and spoke to apprentices taking part in the Fintech Skills Academy.

He said: “The opportunities being created here will help avoid a potential skills gap and give people the qualifications and skills they need to work in this industry. It’s a fantastic example of different sectors working together for everyone’s benefit.”

Matt Kennedy, software development manager at Ingenico, will lead the Fintech Consortium.

He said “With the support of Fife Council, the consortium is a great vehicle for local fintech companies to collaborate positively on common areas of interest such as funding, education and building a larger talent pool within Fife Fintech.”

As part of Scotland’s Fintech Festival, Fife Council is also hosting a careers event on the 17th of September at DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh – Queensferry Crossing.

Speakers include:

Greg Watson, Head of IT Architecture, Sainsbury’s Bank,

Simon Fairbairn, Director of Solution Development Western Europe, Ingenico Group

Jim Tomaney, Chief Operating Officer, Renovite Technologies

Panel Discussion:

Stephen Ingledew, Fintech Scotland
Professor Bill Buchanan, Napier University
Bill Tennant, Payment Centric

Employment Fair:

Members of the Fife Fintech Consortium
Renovite, CodeClan