The London Stock Exchange turns green for Ireland Fintech Day

by Jack Finucane Clarke

From business giants to Hollywood greats, the London Stock Exchange bell has had its fair share of high-profile chimers. It was Minister Robert Troy’s turn, when he rang the bell to mark the inaugural Ireland Fintech Day on 20 November. 

Designed to showcase the strength and innovation of Irish fintech, the event at the London Stock Exchange brought together top Irish fintech businesses, UK-based FTSE companies and industry stakeholders. Attendees got the chance to explore key trends, network and discuss potential partnership opportunities.

The audience heard from industry experts and business leaders including Julia Hoggett, chief executive of the London Stock Exchange, Kevin Sherry, executive director at Enterprise Ireland, and Robert Troy, Minister of State at the Department of Finance. 

The event highlighted core financial topics including data analytics, risk tech and markets through a series of talks, pitches and panel discussions. Attendees also learned more about the strong ties between Ireland and the UK, as well as future possibilities in the UK financial market.

Following the morning sessions, Irish companies attending got to connect with buyers and industry leaders over lunch.

Ten Enterprise-Ireland backed fintech businesses joined the event to showcase their services, learn more about accessing and expanding in the UK financial market, and network with prospective partners.

Among those were Fexco, the Kerry-based fintech that provides foreign exchange and payment solutions to a global market. Recently, the award-winning company bought Sainsbury’s Travel Money, strengthening its position in the UK retail foreign exchange market. 

Another high-profile Irish fintech at the event was Version 1, which helps global organisations adapt to and adopt new technologies. The AI and digital transformation experts regularly feature in Ireland's #1 Best Large Workplace list.

Others attending included Fenergo, ID-Pal and Daon. Headquartered in Dublin, Fenergo supports financial institutions to fight and protect themselves against financial crime. Recently, it announced 300 new jobs as part of a €100 million expansion plan.

Online verification company ID-Pal helps businesses comply with regulatory identity requirements. Last year, it won Security Innovation of the Year at the Payments Awards. 

Founded in 2000, Daon is the identity verification and authentication technology company behind VeriFLY, the vaccine passport app airlines used s during the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Irish fintech sector has experienced significant growth in the past decade, helping reshape the global financial services landscape.

Enterprise Ireland supports more than 200 Irish fintech companies in the UK, offering mentorship, funding and networking opportunities. In 2024, these companies' exports alone reached €700 million. 

Today, Ireland is the third largest exporter of financial services in the EU and eighth globally, and is home to 22 of the world’s top 25 financial services companies. Moreover, the fintech sector employs 60,000 in Ireland. 

Discover more about available support, funding and ways to unlock global markets at Enterprise-Ireland.com/en/sectors/fintech-financial-business-services.

Jack Finucane Clarke is a senior market advisor at Enterprise Ireland in Digital Technologies and Financial Services based in Enterprise Ireland’s London office.