Manchester fintech sector surges with GBP £1bn annual boost
Manchester is set to host FinTech North's annual conference, expected to attract representatives from banking, payments and regulatory sectors, as well as regional fintech startups and scaleups. The event will focus on trends shaping the fintech landscape, from regulation to workforce diversity and the city's growing reputation as a technology hub.
Sector growth
Manchester has seen rapid development in its fintech scene. The Greater Manchester region is now home to 175 fintech firms. This marks it as the fastest-growing fintech cluster in the United Kingdom. Earlier in the year, Manchester also joined the global top 100 clusters for innovation according to the World Intellectual Property Organisation's 2025 rankings.
Fintech now contributes in excess of GBP £1 billion to the regional economy. Organisations building a major presence in Manchester include Starling, Barclays and Mastercard. OakNorth, a Manchester-based digital bank and headline sponsor of the event, has surpassed GBP £12.5 billion in lending. The bank has also expanded into the United States.
Key themes
The conference agenda will cover regulation's impact on innovation, risk and resilience in finance, and the changing global payments ecosystem. It will feature speakers from the Bank of England, the Financial Conduct Authority, Starling, Mastercard and Barclays, among others. Attendees will also hear from North West fintech startups and scaleups.
A major focus this year will be the Women in FinTech spotlight. This part of the event is set to highlight female founders from across the region. New insights will be presented on female representation in the fintech workforce and on challenges and opportunities related to access to funding.
Regional impact
The presence of high-profile speakers and major financial brands is viewed as a recognition of Manchester's progress. Regional firms continue to drive job creation and attract investment. Recent initiatives by banks, payment networks and consultancy firms underscore the increasing role of the North West in the national fintech landscape.
Other organisations supporting the event include Pulsant, Cyber Alchemy, Attenda, Intercash, RSM and Bruntwood SciTech.
Industry voices
"Over the eight years we've been bringing our conference to Manchester, we've seen the city truly step into its own as a powerhouse of fintech talent and innovation. The sector now contributes more than £1bn to the regional economy, and Manchester has become a vibrant microcosm of startups, scaleups and global fintech brands that increasingly want to build a presence here.
"We're anticipating another sell-out event this year, so we'd encourage anyone interested to secure their tickets early," said Joe Roche, General Manager, FinTech North.
