Cantillon 2017 in Association with FEXCO and coordinated by IT Tralee, Ireland’s one-day, fintech forum launched today

Dublin | Kerry 16 January 2017 FEXCO - one of the world’s leading independent financial technology providers - has today launched the Cantillon 2017, Ireland’s only one-day, financial technology discussion forum.

This year themed Building Borderless Business the Cantillon Conference which is coordinated by the IT Tralee takes place on Thursday, 30^th March in Tralee, Co. Kerry (birthplace of pioneering economist and event namesake Richard Cantillon). The event welcomes industry experts from companies including Indeed, SAP, VoxPro, Dell, EMC, Grant Thornton and FEXCO to lead discussion on the 3 key areas of; Digital Financial Technologies, Cyber Security and Digital Building Blocks.

MC’d by Miriam O’Callaghan, the conference aims to draw attention to the challenges and opportunities for Irish companies, both start up and established, in the area of fintech as well furthering the discussion around attracting the necessary talent to support this growing sector.

New research announced today by FEXCO and delivered in partnership with the world’s largest jobs site Indeed found that job seeker interest in fintech as a career has increased dramatically in the past six months in Ireland. In 2016, searches for jobs in fintech increased by 85% worldwide, a trend reflected in the Irish market with an increase of 90% in the past six months.  While on the employer side Ireland ranks second in demand for cyber security professionals, as measured by open roles versus searches, with Israel top of the list and the UK in third.

Speaking ahead of the conference, Ruth McCarthy CEO FEXCO Corporate Payments commented; “It’s clear both through the research we have carried out with Indeed and anecdotally from our day-to-day business experience that fintech presents a significant opportunity for the Irish economy – now more so than ever. The Brexit referendum result means that Ireland will be the only English speaking country remaining within the EU and we have the additional advantage of being part of the Euro zone. With over 80% of all fintech investment coming from the USA, this is a unique advantage we cannot squander.

“FEXCO is excited to support and be a part of this event again in 2017, one which we believe is absolutely necessary to highlight the opportunities around fintech, blockchain technologies and associated sectors like Cyber Security.”

Commenting on the launch Dr Oliver Murphy, President IT Tralee; “Kerry is unrivalled when it comes to entrepreneurial success and the Cantillon Conference has now become the go-to forum for the development of entrepreneurship in Ireland. The key to the event’s success is the fact that topics for discussion are chosen to reflect issues that are relevant to the strategic development of entrepreneurship and transformation of Ireland’s economic model. We look forward to welcoming some of the world’s leading experts in the area of fintech to Kerry in March to challenge and debate the future of the global financial landscape. The Institute is also delighted to present this conference in association with FEXCO.”

Mariano Mamertino, EMEA Economist, Indeed, said, “Worldwide, there is talent shortage in financial technology and employers have large numbers of vacancies and not enough candidates to fill them. This demand for talent will only increase in the years ahead. That is why the surging job seeker interest in financial technology roles is good news for Ireland, reflecting the rapid expansion of the sector and a healthy talent pool. Ireland has the potential to grow to become a major global financial technology center if the right policies are put in place and the right investment in the best and brightest tech talent is made today.”  

Cantillon 2017 in association with FEXCO will take place on Thursday 30^th March 2017 at The Rose Hotel in Tralee. Packages are available for individual delegates and groups with prices beginning at €150.

To register for the event or for more information visit www.cantillon.ie