Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology names CEO
The newly-launched Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT) has named Ezechi Britton MBE as its inaugural chief executive.
Britton has a long history in fintech as founder and chief technology officer of Impact X Capital. Prior to that, he was chief executive and co-founder of Code Untapped, and chief technology officer and co-founder of employee benefit fintech Neyber.
He will start in his new role in April 2023, and will work alongside CFIT chair Charlotte Crosswell “to deliver on CFIT’s mission to support the next stage of scaling for UK-based firms and to contribute to the UK remaining a global leader for financial innovation.”
CFIT was first mooted by Sir Ron Kalifa in his Kalifa Review of the UK’s fintech sector. It will officially launch in March 2023, after which Britton and his team will set out plans for the centre’s first programmes of work.
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“I am honoured to take on the position of the first chief executive of CFIT and to have the opportunity to make the UK the undisputed leader in fintech globally,” said Britton.
“I look forward to working with the financial services, fintech and technology sectors across the UK to drive fintech growth, attract diverse talent into the fintech sector, and ensure better outcomes for consumers and small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs).
“The UK is in a unique position with some of the strongest finance technologists in the world and we have an extraordinary opportunity to support this exciting sector and to capitalise on the forward-thinking approach taken by our regulators, government and industry to ensure that its transformative impact is felt by all.”
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Economic secretary to the Treasury Andrew Griffith welcomed Britton to the role, and noted that the CFIT is backed by more than £5m of Treasury funding.
“Ezechi’s breadth of experience across the fintech sector ensures CFIT has the potential to turbocharge growth in UK fintech – boosting investment and jobs across the country,” Griffith said.
Meanwhile, CFIT chair Charlotte Crosswell praised Britton’s “experience, energy and understanding of the fintech sector” which she said will be “invaluable as we work to ensure that the UK is the global leader for financial innovation.”.
“I look forward to working with him to accelerate opportunities and unblock barriers to growth for financial technology by bringing together the best minds from the ecosystem across the UK and help to drive better outcomes for consumers and SMEs across the UK,” Crosswell added.
Read more: Ron Kalifa to lead development of new fintech centre