RegTech Forum showcases the North West as a hub for RegTech Innovation

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The North West is taking centre stage in financial technology innovation, with a RegTech Forum and conference hosted at the historic Great Hall on Ulster University’s Magee Campus.

The event, supported by Invest Northern Ireland, Derry City and Strabane District Council (DCSDC), and Ulster University is being attended by the Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, and over 100 industry leaders, regulators, academics, and innovators. It will showcase the North West’s potential to lead in regulatory and supervisory technology, addressing pressing global challenges in governance, risk, and compliance.

This event underscores the North West’s potential to become a global leader in RegTech innovation.

Conor Murphy, Minister for the Economy 

John Healy, Chair of Invest NI: “This event is a significant milestone in establishing the North West as a premier destination for fintech investment and innovation. With our cross border connections and growing talent pipeline, Northern Ireland is in an excellent position to take the lead in addressing the complex regulatory challenges of the financial sector. We are excited to welcome key stakeholders from across the UK and Ireland to witness this potential firsthand.”

Economy Minister, Conor Murphy, highlighted the significance of the RegTech Forum taking place in the North West: “This event underscores the North West’s potential to become a global leader in RegTech innovation. By harnessing the region’s strategic advantages, all-island expertise and strong partnerships between Invest NI, Council, industry, academia, and regulators, we are building a foundation for transformative innovation in financial regulation. Today’s event not only highlights these unique strengths but also showcases what can be achieved through collaboration on a global stage.”

The Lord Mayor of the City of London Corporation, Alastair King said: “It was a pleasure to attend and speak at the RegTech Forum. The appetite for growth and innovation was palpable and the City Corporation is honoured to be a part of it.

We are excited to welcome key stakeholders from across the UK and Ireland to witness this potential firsthand.

John Healy, Chairman of Board, Invest NI

“This is a truly exciting time for Northern Ireland, with the region beginning to emerge a leader in the RegTech sector, playing a huge part in driving the UK’s financial and professional services sector – we will continue to work closely with the region to build on its brilliant work across the UK.”

Earlier in the day Alderman King was officially welcomed to the Guildhall by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, who said it was an exciting opportunity to discuss the region’s growing proposition. “I was delighted to welcome Alderman King to the city today, where we discussed our priorities as civic leaders, as well as common interests in business and innovation. I feel that now is a significant time of opportunity for the North West with its unique positioning on the EU-UK border, combined with the ground breaking research and development work that is being delivered locally, as well as existing expertise available, across multiple regulated sectors.”

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Minister and Vice-Chancellor announce land secured to drive expansion of Ulster University in Derry~Londonderry

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The Economy Minister and the Vice-Chancellor announced the purchase of Timber Quay as part of the expansion of Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry Campus.

Economy Minister Dr Caoimhe Archibald today said that land necessary to drive forward to the expansion of Ulster University’s Derry~Londonderry Campus to achieve 10,000 students has now been acquired by the Department and Ulster University.

During a visit to the campus the Minister and the Vice-Chancellor announced the purchase of the Timber Quay office block, which follows the recent acquisition of sites along Queens Quay.

Vice-Chancellor of Ulster University, Prof Paul Bartholomew said:

“Due to recent rapid growth in student numbers at Ulster University Derry~Londonderry, our campus is currently at maximum capacity, and we have a pressing need for more space. The space that we stand in today at Timber Quay will be quickly transformed into teaching and learning environments in time to welcome new and returning students in September 2025. The additional land that we have acquired in partnership with DfE around Queen’s Quay will help us to add additional spaces in the future.

“We will continue to work with our partners to realise growth on this campus and are grateful to our co-investors in the Department for the Economy for their financial support to ensure that together, we are delivering for Derry~Londonderry.”

Speaking after a tour of the sites, the Minister, said:

“Since the Magee Expansion Taskforce was setup last year my Department, in partnership with Ulster University, have contributed almost £21.5m of capital expenditure to support the planned growth. The acquisition of the Timber Quay building will itself allow Ulster University to accommodate 375 new students in the next academic year.

“This purchase, along with the additional lands secured along Queen’s Quay,  means we can drive forward to reach 10,000 students at Magee by 2032.”

Chair of the Magee Taskforce, Stephen Kelly said:

“Today’s announcement ensures that momentum is maintained to deliver on the 10,000 minimum target agreed in the  Programme for Government.  The University have purchased these properties from local owners who are as determined as all of us in seeing Ulster University’s expansion plans meeting the city’s economic, cultural, and social ambitions.”

Teaching more than 5,300 students in the last academic year, the Ulster University Derry~Londonderry campus is home to over 120 programmes, with more being added annually. The thriving campus is a hub for health sciences, creative industries, computing and engineering, business, and the arts.

This year, the University was ranked top 10 in the UK for five of the courses taught in Derry~Londonderry (Speech and Language Therapy, Information Systems and Management, Radiography, Physiotherapy and Health Studies), and the institution is the UK and Ireland University of the Year, Times Higher Education.

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Step forward for Ulster University expansion in Derry~Londonderry as consultants for new Shared Island teaching block appointed

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Ulster University has welcomed the appointment of McAdam Design as the Integrated Consultancy Team and AtkinsRealis as Consultant Project Management team for the Shared Island teaching block in Derry~Londonderry.

Sharing a glimpse of what designs for the teaching and student services building might look like with an artist’s impression image, the University is marking the appointments as a step forward in its drive to expand higher education provision in the North West.

Announced in 2023, the €44.5 million investment by the Government of Ireland through the Shared Island Fund is supported by circa £7m of Ulster University reserves to construct the new block, which will be situated off the Northland Road adjacent to the library.

Providing additional lecture and seminar spaces, computer labs and other social areas, the building will contribute significantly to the campus capacity for teaching and research activity and builds on Ulster University’s commitment to Growth and Regeneration projects that deliver more students, jobs, and economic impact for the region.

This investment from the Government of Ireland reflects, in part, the teaching and research cooperation between Ulster University and Atlantic Technological University in Donegal, while also enabling the four North West Tertiary Education Cluster institutions to work more closely together, facilitating a more seamless offering of further and higher education in the region.

The next step in the process, a pre-application notice submitted to Derry City and Strabane District council, will be completed in due course.

Ulster University Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Bartholomew said:

“I am delighted to welcome the appointment of the consultant teams whose role will be to undertake the planning, design and project management of the new Shared Island teaching block. This announcement marks another step forward in our commitment to campus expansion in Derry~Londonderry and widening access to higher education in the North West.

“While the design shared today is only an initial concept, it is exciting to be able to share the potential that exists for our new spaces in Derry~Londonderry. We know the new building will enhance what is an already thriving campus for health sciences, creative industries, computing, engineering, business and the arts and will promote a creative, innovative and vibrant environment that will inspire and add value to our core activities of teaching, learning, research and innovation.”

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Ulster University welcomes Canadian delegation to its Derry~Londonderry campus and to explore collaboration opportunities

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.Visitors from the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce Office and the Government of Alberta enjoyed a roundtable discussion to learn about what Ulster University has to offer and explore future collaboration.

Representatives from Ulster University welcomed Nicholas Greenwood from the Government of Alberta, and Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair of the Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of biotech research organisation AxialBridge, for a two-day visit to its Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses.

A Canadian delegation previously came to Belfast in April 2024, and this visit allowed for more in-depth exploration of life and health sciences opportunities, discussion around potential trade and partnership opportunities and the practicalities of the Windsor Framework. During the delegation’s time in Derry~Londonderry, representatives from Derry and Strabane District Council were also able to find out about specific opportunities for the North West arising from City and Growth Deals.

Professor Victor Gault, Associate Dean Research and Innovation-Life and Health Sciences at Ulster University, said:

“It is with great pleasure that we welcome Nick Greenwood, Trade, Investment, and Office Coordinator for the Government of Alberta, to our Derry~Londonderry and Belfast campuses. Our longstanding and meaningful partnership with AxialBridge continues to thrive, and we are delighted to reengage with Jaspreet Grewal in her capacity as Board Director and Co-Chair of the Canada-UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta.

“We are proud to showcase our current capabilities and share our vision for the future, highlighting our transformative growth projects. These include the School of Medicine, the Centre for Food and Drug Discovery, and the Centre for Digital Healthcare Technologies, which will be delivered from investments through City and Growth Deals and the Inclusive Futures Fund.

“Ulster University is enthusiastic about collaborating with Canadian BioTech, MedTech, and Pharmaceutical companies to further contribute to the economic development of the region. Events like this enable us to increase the capacity for clinical trials and attract companies into Northern Ireland. We note thanks to The Executive Office, Department of Business and Trade, and HIRANI for coordinating this event.”

 

Jaspreet Grewal, Director and Co-Chair, Canada UK Chamber of Commerce and BioAlberta, and CEO of AxialBridge, commented:

“The purpose of this visit by the Government of Alberta is to support AxialBridge’s increased activities in Northern Ireland, in particular with Ulster University, and to learn more about the country’s life science, tech, and innovation ecosystems. We would also be delighted to identify future areas of collaboration and partnership.

“In September 2023, AxialBridge and BioAlberta solidified a significant partnership with the NIHR (National Institute for Health and Care Research) to launch their Virtual Office programme – their first international office in Canada. Through this partnership, we aim to achieve impactful and bilateral collaborative initiatives in the life sciences between Canada and the United Kingdom. As such, we are delighted to explore partnership opportunities within the health and life sciences in Northern Ireland and beyond.”

 

Nicholas Greenwood, Trade, Investment and Office Coordinator, Government of Alberta, added: 

“It’s a great pleasure to be invited to Northern Ireland for the first time and to meet so many different experts from across the region. The main focus of the trip is Life Sciences but I’m also keen to explore the opportunities across the thriving tech and energy sector as well as understanding the investment funding and local structural framework. It’s clear that there are plenty of opportunities for collaboration between Alberta and Northern Ireland.”

The delegation continued their visit at Ulster University’s Belfast campus on 25 March, and later met with representatives from InvestNI, Belfast City Council and Queen’s University, Belfast.

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Council and partners sign up to Strabane’s Positive Energy District Local Green Deal

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January marked a milestone for the North West region as the Strabane Positive Energy District (PED) Local Green Deal (LGD) was officially signed. This pioneering commitment paves the way for a £2 million injection of funding facilitated through the Derry~Londonderry and Strabane Region City Deal.

Officiating at the official signing was the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr along with representatives from the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge and a number of stakeholders who have been involved in supporting the development of the PED LGD including Ulster University’s Centre for Sustainable Technologies, who have produced a Concept Report for the Development of the PED, ERNACT, NWRC,WHSCT, Strabane BID, Strabane Growth Partnership, NIHE, EA, NIE, Evolve, BT and Translink.

Derry City and Strabane District Council and Donegal County Council have been collaborating together as the NW City Region, and are one of 64 locations across Europe who have successfully bid to participate in the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge.  As part of this initiative the NW City Region has leveraged the support of leading local and EU experts to support the development of their LGDs.

A LGD is a local tailor-made action plan to accelerate and scale up a locations green and digital transition. It builds on and joins existing strategies – e.g. sustainable energy and climate action plans, circular economy plans, resilience or economic development plans – legislation, market, and financial incentives into a coherent approach to help improve economic competitiveness, social resilience and quality of life.

Strabane’s Local Green Deal seeks to create a living laboratory in Strabane Town centre with a key focus on energy generation, distribution, storage, forecasting and balancing across different energy sources including local businesses, residential, public and community sector properties.

The signing of the PED LGD today is a significant commitment by Council and its partners to work together to maximise opportunities to embrace energy efficiency measures, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and actively manage renewable energy production.

Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Cllr Lilian Seenoi Barr said: “This is a very exciting and innovative initiative for Council and its partners. As we signed the Derry Londonderry and Strabane City Region City Deal which includes plans to transform and redevelop the canal basin area of Strabane, we realised that this was the perfect opportunity for us to bring forward this initiative. The creation of a PED in Strabane fits perfectly with our goals and objectives for City Deal in terms of sustainability and we are delighted that as part of our development plans for Strabane we can now include energy efficiency measures across the proposed three public service buildings, retrofits of nearby town centre buildings and the deployment of renewable energy generation and storage infrastructure. 

I look forward to seeing this showcase project implemented and the benefits being rolled out across Strabane including reduced carbon emissions, decrease in town centre air pollution, security of local energy supply, reduced energy bill costs, and economic growth through cutting edge innovation”.

Saverio Romeo, Lead EU expert said: “The collaboration among local business and academic stakeholders, Derry and Strabane City Council, and the EU Intelligent Cities Challenge team in the North West City Region has set the stone for an ambitious project that will make Strabane a best practice for energy efficiency and sustainable living in the region and beyond. It is a milestone for Strabane, a milestone only possible because experts, professionals, academics, business owners, policy makers have worked together for the public good.”

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City of London Policy Chairman visits to strengthen business links

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The City of London Corporation’s Policy Chairman, Chris Hayward, was in Derry in Feb to attend the launch of the MATRIX NI report and a number of engagements to build on the North West’s strong connections with the City of London.

Matrix, Northern Ireland’s Science and Industry Advisory Panel, supported by the Department for the Economy, launched a new report exploring opportunities for the application of regulatory technologies (RegTech).

The report finds that Northern Ireland, with its skilled workforce and strong academic institutions, is strongly positioned to help businesses navigate an increasingly complex regulatory environment. This can be achieved by the development of innovative solutions to streamline compliance processes, enhancing transparency, while mitigating any risks in the financial services sector

Mr Hayward and his delegation were welcomed to the city by the Chief Executive of Derry City and Strabane District Council, John Kelpie, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, innovation and culture. The significant work being done by the Council and its delivery partners to bring forward an ambitious suite of innovative City Deal projects that will create jobs, attract investment and growth to the region was also discussed.

Mr Kelpie said it was a great honour to welcome Mr Hayward to the region to talk about the opportunities to promote the RegTech proposition, harnessing the city region’s unique cross-jurisdictional location and collaborative partnerships and to build on existing relationships between the two cities and regions.

He said: “We have extremely strong links with the City of London and it’s hugely encouraging to see Mr Hayward and his delegation taking time out of their schedule to visit our city and meet with industry leaders to hear about the excellent work that is being done here in terms of attracting global investment and helping home-grown success stories compete internationally. The City of London Corporation is a global financial and professional services capital that drives the UK’s economy and the sector is of huge importance to this region.”

During his visit, Mr Hayward met with RegTech Supercluster representatives to hear at first-hand about the collaborative work being done on the ground to develop the region’s RegTech offering.

It was also an opportunity to provide the delegation with an update on the ‘Innovation Challenge’ programme that was launched late last year with the City of London Corporation as a strategic partner, to encourage innovators to develop creative technology solutions to tackle cross border regulatory and compliance challenges.

A key element of the visit was to discuss with key stakeholders the key findings of the Matrix NI report and how to bring forward its recommendations.

The launch provided the opportunity for the RegTech Supercluster to discuss how it can support the Department to shape the RegTech proposition and working with key stakeholders generate economic growth and competitive advantage across the region.

The delegation met with senior officials at the Ulster University to discuss their expansion plans and to receive an update on the work being carried out by the Task Force and key research and development projects.

Mr Heyward also met with representatives from the Londonderry Chamber of Commerce before taking a tour of the local Seagate plant at Springtown and meeting with Chief Operating Officer with EY, Jonathan Williamson, to discuss their future plans for development at Ebrington Plaza and their wider growth across the region.

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Acorn Farm’s New Gate Lodge Garden officially opens

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Spring has certainly sprung in the new Acorn Farm Gate Lodge Garden located at the St Columb’s Park Gate Lodge which has been officially opened by the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr.

The new garden is part of the ambitious Acorn Farm Project, a partnership project supported by funding from The National Lottery Community Fund’s, Climate Action Fund and the UK Government.

Mayor Barr was joined by pupils from St Anne’s Primary School in Derry, who had the opportunity to learn about the importance of seed planting and growing cycles, and taste the benefits of the freshly harvested food.

The new space has been created to connect local communities, families, households and food producers with sustainable food practices, healthy eating and climate-friendly learning. It will help facilitate elements of the Acorn Farm’s wider engagement programme through events, workshops and guided visits.

The Acorn Farm project is delivered by a partnership team consisting of Derry City and Strabane District Council, The Community Foundation for Northern Ireland, The Conservation Volunteers, Developing Healthy Communities and Community Garden Support.

Officially opening the gardens, Mayor Barr said they provided a beautiful learning space for all ages. “I am thrilled to be here today and to see the next stage in the development of the Acorn Farm project. There is a fantastic array of produce already being grown, and local people can draw on the expertise from local horticulturists and other experienced growers. Congratulations to everyone involved in realising this wonderful new green space.”

Paul Sweeney, Northen Ireland Chair of The National Lottery Community Fund, said: “I am delighted to be at the Gate Lodge Gardens today for the official opening and to see the progress made so far in the Acorn Farm Project, which has been supported by over £2 million of National Lottery funding.

“A priority of The National Lottery Community Fund’s strategy to 2030 is to support communities in becoming environmentally sustainable. Innovative and ambitious projects like Acorn Farm are a fantastic example of our funding being put into action by communities, by creating a movement and helping develop more sustainable and responsible ways of sourcing and producing food.

“Well done to everyone involved in developing this community hub which will boost mental health, encourage physical activity and build stronger community connections.”

Shauna Kelpie, Community Foundation for Northern Ireland said: “What we see here today is the culmination of outstanding collaboration between partner organisations committed to improving the lives of local people and our environment through access to more sustainable food choices. This project kick starts so many ‘green focused’ activities and will be life changing for so many families now and into the future.”

The total funding investment pot of £6.2m in capital infrastructure (UK Government and Derry City and Strabane District Council) and over £2m (National Lottery Community Fund’s Climate Action Fund) in skills-based engagement programmes, is assisting local people to take climate action through food choice and make the link between sustainable food and better health outcomes for this generation and future ones.

Find out more about the project at https://acornfarmni.com/

 

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Mayor hosts London Liveries delegation in historic Guildhall

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Derry’s historic connections with the Livery Companies of London, who funded the city’s historic walls, were discussed in Apirl during a special visit by a delegation led by the Honourable the Irish Society.

The Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, welcomed the delegation, which included senior representatives of The Fishmongers’ Company, The Salters’ Company, The Ironmongers’ Company and The Drapers’ Company led by Governor Alderman Vincent Keaveny CBE, to the Guildhall where they enjoyed a tour of the historic building.

There they got to view some of the beautiful stained glass windows originally donated by the companies and featuring images and symbols reflecting the role of the Society in the city’s history.

It was also an opportunity for the delegation to hear more about progress on the ambitious City Deal plans and the planned investments which will be pivotal in the transformation of the City and District.

Speaking after the visit, Mayor Barr said: “I was delighted to welcome the London delegation to the city today and to continue the work in building and strengthening our connections with the City of London. This is a very exciting time for our City and District as we look forward to the delivery of a suite of projects that will bring about tangible and lasting change here.

“Today provided an opportunity to discuss these plans and to stress the importance of investment in the North West Region to ensure that we can continue to drive forward our vision for Derry and Strabane as a vibrant and progressive place to live and work as well as a vibrant and thriving hub for business.”

After the visit to the Guildhall the delegation embarked on a tour of the city’s 400-year-old Walls and met with the city’s Lord Lieutenant, Ian Crowe.

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Significant Funding for North West Digital Skills

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Funding for the North West Digital Employment Pathway Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative was included in a total of €46,064,915 of PEACEPLUS funding announced recently to improve equal access to inclusive and quality services in education, training and lifelong learning in Northern Ireland and the border counties of Ireland.

This project – supported by the PEACEPLUS Programme, managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) – will be led by Atlantic Technological University, in partnership with Ulster University, North West Regional College, and Donegal Education and Training Board via their well-established strategic collaboration, the North West Tertiary Education Cluster (NWTEC).

The Area Based Regional Skills Development Programme, through the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme, will develop and upskill 10,000 people to engage on key growth sectors, which will boost economic growth and create a more balanced regional economy. The NW DEPTH proposal aims to deliver a digital skills framework targeting the North West City Region (County Donegal and the Derry City and Strabane District Council Area). The NW DEPTH project will develop and deliver a portfolio of upskilling and reskilling programmes to ensure 2,000+ people advance up the qualifications’ framework via digital and cybersecurity skills courses.

The NW DEPTH project will run for a four-year period and will see close to a €10 million investment in digital skills in the North West. A target of 2,000+ participants will have access to high-quality employment-focused digital and cybersecurity tertiary education programmes free of charge. To ensure a lasting legacy, the funding also includes provision for the development of a NW Digital Strategy aimed at supporting the growth of the many innovative digital enterprises operating in this cross-border region and improving the attractiveness of the region for the establishment of new smart enterprises.

PEACEPLUS is managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB) and represents a funding partnership between the European Union, the Government of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, the Government of Ireland, and the Northern Ireland Executive.

NWTEC partners recognise the strong support that this represents from the funders and the responsibility it confers on NWTEC to deliver on the transformative potential that this funding has in conjunction with other recent funding announcements, such as the Derry and Strabane Growth Deal.

Dr Orla Flynn, President of ATU, stated that “securing PEACEPLUS funding for the NW DEPTH project will empower a significant number of individuals to thrive in an increasingly digital world of employment. It will not only enrich individual lives, but this funding will also strengthen regional industries by better facilitating innovation as well as providing support for economic growth. I want to congratulate those who worked on this bid and look forward to seeing successful outcomes being achieved in the years ahead.”

Professor Paul Bartholomew, Vice-Chancellor at Ulster University said “Ulster University is delighted to be a key project partner on the North West Digital Employment Pathways Training Hub (NW DEPTH) initiative. This is a strategically important investment in the skills profile of the NW region and complements other major investment plans enabled by the Derry and Strabane City Deal and Shared Island funding. This project builds on existing collaboration and co-operation established through the North West Tertiary Education Cluster and this PEACEPLUS investment in digital skills is a further endorsement of the value placed on, and importance of, developing education and capacity to support economic and social development across the region. The overall objective of DEPTH is to develop a Digital Skills framework for individuals to support re-entering, remaining or progressing their role in the NW region workforce, which is particularly important as we work with partners across the region to expand Ulster University’s campus in Derry~Londonderry. We look forward to continuing to work with partners on the digital skills development, upskilling and reskilling provision in the region targeting 2000 participants across the four years of the project.”

SEUPB Chief Executive Gina McIntyre said: “This PEACEPLUS funding supports five area-based approaches, designed to address evidenced skills gaps, which will result in increased productivity and employment and higher levels of cross-border labour mobility. The programme and the joined-up approach will enable cross-community and cross-border collaboration between education and training-based collaborations that maximise the capacity of the programme area to address existing and emerging skills gaps, and opportunities for reskilling. Economic development in post-conflict regions is vital in underpinning peace. Investment in the economy, providing support for SMEs, research, and innovation in specific areas of need are among the key focus areas for the PEACEPLUS Delivering Socio-Economic Regeneration and Transformation theme.”

Leo Murphy, Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College (NWRC) said: “We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.”

Anne McHugh, Chief Executive of Donegal Education and Training Board expressed delight that the NWTEC will be providing this much needed digital skills training in the region. “Our cross-border region is unique and full of opportunities and promise. This funding will significantly raise the chances that its promise will be fulfilled as we continue to seek to provide opportunities which will allow the region to compete on an all-island basis. Donegal ETB plays an enormously important part in the skills development area within Co Donegal and the cross-border region and the PEACEPLUS funding will contribute to this ongoing work in a really positive way.”

Paul Hannigan, Head of College ATU Donegal and VP for Cross-border Engagement at ATU, noted: “NWTEC is a strong partnership, and through our industry engagement via the NWTEC Smart Industry Board together with our links to community groups, this consortium is committed and well placed to deliver on the full potential of this critically important PEACEPLUS support for the North West City Region.”

We at NWRC are delighted to be involved as a partner on the NW DEPTH project. This is a validation of the excellent work of the North West Tertiary Education Cluster by building digital and cybersecurity skills sets within our NW region. The partnership with Mastercard allows the region to develop an enhanced presence on FinTech and cyber expertise at a tertiary skills level. This will allow us to build competitive advantage and lead to the potential for more inward investment and indigenous growth in this sector.
Leo Murphy
Principal and Chief Executive of North West Regional College
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NW RegTech ambitions top of the agenda during City of London Visit

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The Lord Mayor of the City of London, Alderman Alastair King, was in Derry on 9th December for a series of engagements building on the North West’s strong connection with the City of London.

Alderman King and the visiting delegation were welcomed to the Guildhall by the Mayor of Derry and Strabane, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, who took the opportunity to discuss shared interests in business, the adoption of technology and innovation. The City of London is a global leader in the Financial and Professional Services sector, and the visit was a timely opportunity to highlight the City Deal projects that will bring about growth, investment and prosperity for the region and ongoing collaborative work locally to establish the world’s first multi-sector RegTech Supercluster here in the North West to the City’s international ambassador.

Welcoming the Lord Mayor on his first visit to Derry, Councillor Barr said: “I was delighted to welcome Alderman King to the city, building on the strong ties we already enjoy with the City of London. We discussed the many strategic advantages of living and working here in the North West, in particular the work that is going into developing our RegTech proposition. “We offer a compelling package for global investors, which is why it’s so important to get the message out there through our partners in the US and the City of London, who can assist in tapping into RegTech global market opportunities.”

Speaking after the meeting, Alderman King said: “It was pleasure to meet the Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District, Lilian Seenoi Barr, policymakers and business leaders across Derry today to discuss how we can further grow our already strong relationships, build on the Northern Ireland’s excellent work in the RegTech sector and on bringing out further regulatory reform.

“Northern Ireland is a leader in financial services and we look forward to continuing the conversation on how to grow the financial and professional services sectors across the UK.”

The delegation went on to attend a special RegTech Forum event led by Council, Invest Northern Ireland and Ulster University where the Lord Mayor and London City representatives met with partners from DCSD Council, Donegal County Council, Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Ulster University, and Catalyst, and over 100 industry leaders, regulators, academics, and innovators. 

The Forum was chaired by Invest N. Ireland Chair John Healy, and during the event Council’s Investment Manager Rosalind Young, launched a special Innovation Challenge in partnership with the City of London Corporation. The initiative encourages local companies to generate creative solutions for regulatory challenges which could contribute to shaping the future of RegTech.

Speaking afterwards Ms Young said: “We are inviting innovators to showcase their ideas and help address critical ESG and AI issues with support from global experts. It’s an exciting opportunity to foster collaboration between cutting technology companies to address the challenges faced by the financial services sector and contribute to developing new technologies and identifying solutions that could assist businesses by addressing real-world regulatory challenges.”

To find out more about the RegTech Supercluster and how local companies can get involved, go to https://www.regtechsupercluster.co

RegTechForum Members with Lord Mayor of the City of London
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