FinTech Wales seeks new CEO as Sarah Williams-Gardener transitions to chair
Sarah Williams-Gardener, FinTech Wales’ CEO for the last three years, is resigning from her post to transition into the role of chair of the member association.
Sarah Williams-Gardener is set to become chair of FinTech Wales (Image: LinkedIn)
Effective January 2024, Williams-Gardener will succeed former Confused CEO Louise O’Shea, who has held the position of chair since March 2020.
When her tenure begins, Williams-Gardener will be tasked with developing the organisation’s strategic direction and “robust governance structure”, under the overarching goal of attracting more start-ups to launch and scale their business in Wales.
The organisation says Williams-Gardener’s leadership to date has helped drive £20 million worth of investment into Welsh fintechs amid a 150% boost in membership.
She is expected to lean on her prior professional experiences to see through her new responsibilities as chair. Williams-Gardener is a founding member of the UK digital challenger Starling Bank, although she spent the majority of her career at IBM, working most recently as its UK government affairs director.
With the move now confirmed, FinTech Wales has put out a call for a new CEO to execute the final year of its four-year strategy, which promotes a focus on skills and talent; ecosystem and community; funding and investment; and the promotion of Wales as “a place for fintech and financial organisations to thrive”.
“We are now looking for someone to pick up the baton and work with the board, advisory panel and team for the continued success and growth of our ecosystem in Wales, the UK and beyond,” comments Williams-Gardener, who adds that the latest transition represents “an exciting chapter in the FinTech Wales journey”.
