A new link between Jersey’s largest and newest industries, finance and technology, has been forged with the appointment of a Head of Fintech at Digital Jersey. Jason Laity, the former head of KPMG in the Channel Islands, and a long-time exponent of the digital industry in Jersey, will be leading the existing cross-agency team in driving Jersey’s Fintech agenda forward and acting as the key voice for the thriving sector, both on and off island.
Digital Jersey CEO Tony Moretta said: “I am delighted that Jason is taking on this critical role. After a rigorous selection process, we decided that he would bring an enormous amount of knowledge of the local financial services industry to the team and he would have a head start in building the networks needed to help the sector succeed. He has been active in the digital industry for many years, supporting our work at Digital Jersey and I am confident he can build on the work already in place to support existing fintech businesses and attract new ones.”
In his role, although Mr Laity will be engaged by Digital Jersey he will also co-ordinate the activity of staff across key stakeholders, including Jersey Finance, the Government of Jersey, and the Jersey Financial Services. The new role follows a recommendation in the Fintech roadmap, produced earlier this year, which created actionable initiatives to strengthen Jersey as a Fintech jurisdiction, including developing and promoting a Fintech Sandbox in Jersey.
Jason was with KPMG for over 21 years, rising through the ranks to become Senior Partner and Chairman of the Channel Islands’ business. He is also a former Chairman of the IoD in Jersey.
Jason Laity commented on his appointment: “I am really pleased to add this to my portfolio of roles and I am looking forward to helping grow this critical sector. There are some great businesses here already and some fantastic foundations already laid. My aim is to build meaningful, collaborative and open links between the two industries locally, to co-ordinate the efforts of the existing agencies, and to take Jersey’s exciting message in this area to new markets, in much the same was as Jersey Finance have done in relation to finance”
Joe Moynihan, CEO of Jersey Finance, commented: “This is an exciting and imaginative appointment, and Jason is well known to both the financial services and digital industries in the Island. I am looking forward to working with Jason and the other agencies to ensure fintech is at the heart of our financial services industry for years to come.”
