It has also elected a new Board, representing the wide diversity of talent - and range of organisations - within the local FinTech community.

Benjamin succeeds Henri Arslanian, who has stepped down having completed the maximum two-year term as Chairman but remains on the Board.

Benjamin said, “I’m extremely proud and excited to take on this role. Under Henri’s leadership, the Association has become one of the most active FinTech organisations in the world, and I thank him on behalf of the Board for all his work.”

The new Board will continue this work and also shape the Association to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the fast-evolving environment in which the sector operates. FinTech is emerging as a crucial pillar of the regional economy, and Hong Kong - with its unique links to Asia and the rest of the world, as well as its location within the Greater Bay Area - has a prominent part to play in its development.

“I will be working closely with our Board and General Manager in coming months to look in detail at our overall strategy, with a view to taking the Association to the next level: a vision we are calling FTAHK 2.0. In the current economic climate, with so much uncertainty ahead, there has never been greater need for an association to act as a cohesive voice representing the interests of the local FinTech community. As an organisation set up by the community for the community, we are committed to building on our previous success to further support, connect, and propel Hong Kong’s FinTech ecosystem to new heights,” said Benjamin.

Since its launch in 2017, the Association has grown to become one of the most active representative bodies in FinTech globally, with nearly 1,700 members and the largest online following of any FinTech Association. Over the last few years, it has successfully connected and strengthened the local ecosystem, providing a focal point for FinTech in Hong Kong and a link to communities around the world. It has also advocated on behalf of its members on multiple topics including, most recently, around funding for start-ups caught in the disruption caused by the global COVID-19 pandemic.

The Board members of the FinTech Association of Hong Kong are:

Benjamin Quinlan (Chairman) - Quinlan & Associates
Syed Musheer Ahmed - FinStep Asia
Henri Arslanian - PwC
Matt Dooley - Connected Thinking
Marc Entwistle - Oliver Wyman
Karen Contet - WHub
Veronica Fung - Societe Generale
Jessica Lam - WeLab
Timothy Leung - Tencent
Lawrence Li - Livi Bank
Ken Lo - ZA Group
Antony Morris - Industrie & Co Asia
Medhy Souidi - DBS Hong Kong
Maaike Steinebach - Visa
Amanda Tung - ZA Group