SWIFT’s Sibos chooses London for 2019

EUROPE – Sibos, the giant global financial services annual conference and networking event organised by SWIFT has chosen London as the host city for Sibos 2019. The announcement follows a successful bid by Excel London and London & Partners to host more than 7,000 financial services professionals from across the globe. The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: “As London Technology Week is currently proving, our great capital is leading the world in financial services and financial technology, offering a veritable melting pot of expertise, insight and innovation. “Hosting this influential gathering underlines our world-leading credentials as a booming financial and technology centre, and I am certain that with London as the dazzling backdrop, Sibos 2019 will be a huge success.” London claimed the top spot as a centre for technology readiness, business, finance and culture in PwC’s latest Cities of Opportunity index, which ranks 30 major cities internationally. London employs more workers in financial technology than either New York City or San Francisco’s Silicon Valley and the UK and Ireland accounted for more than half of Europe’s fintech deals in 2013, according to Accenture. David Pegler, CEO of Excel London, said: “As the world’s premium financial services event, it has been our aspiration to host Sibos for many years. The huge investment in Excel’s world-class event facilities coupled with London’s new transport and hotel infrastructure mean that we have been able to meet the criteria outlined by SWIFT for the very first time. “By 2019, Sibos delegates will be able to travel across our city in record time using Crossrail, arriving at Excel’s dedicated onsite station. “We look forward to working in partnership with SWIFT over the next four years to deliver an unforgettable Sibos.” Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, added: “Sibos 2019 is a big win for London. It is over 30 years since Sibos came to the UK and London’s financial services landscape has changed beyond recognition since then, particularly with the rapid growth of our fintech sector. The organisers were wowed by the enthusiasm of partners across London to host the event.” Ashok Vaswani, chief executive, Barclays Personal and Corporate Banking, said: “We welcome the news that Sibos will come to London. London’s vibrant financial services sector and its growing reputation as a centre for fintech innovation make it a fitting host for this gathering of industry leaders from around the world.” Sven Bossu, head of Sibos at SWIFT, added: “Excel and London & Partners have done an outstanding job in providing all the key elements required for making Sibos successful. The overall coordination between venue, city and representatives of the financial industry was truly impressive. We look forward to bringing Sibos to the financial heart of Europe for the first time – and to making it a great experience for our entire community.”