Sokin, the fintech global payments firm, which offers low cost, fast and secure currency transfers and payments, has announced two high-profile appointments to its board, as the firm prepares the launch of its market changing services.
On 1st December 2020, The Rt Hon Lord Bellingham joined Sokin as its Non-Executive Chairman and Nick Hawkins had joined the board as a Non-Executive Director.
Having had a distinguished career in politics, Lord Bellingham, as well as having key governance responsibilities, will lead on supporting and facilitating global performance. He will steer Sokin on the delivery of its enterprise strategy and the promotion of the business around the world.
Lord Bellingham is a Conservative politician, who after 32 years in Parliament now sits in the House of Lords. During his career, in addition to time on the Trade and Industry Select Committee, he was Shadow Minister for Small Businesses and Enterprise between 2002-05. He also served as Foreign Office Minister for Africa and the UN in the first part of the 2010 Coalition Government. He was knighted in the 2016 New Year Honours for political and parliamentary service and was awarded a life peerage in 2020.
Nick Hawkins is a Corporate Barrister with over 40 years’ experience, at Board level both Executive and NED, with household-name companies, many in the banking, financial services and fintech sectors. He is currently a part-time corporate Barrister Partner at GunnerCooke LLP, where he continues to advise major companies. His expertise in banking, insurance, financial services and credit will be invaluable to Sokin. Nick was a Conservative MP from 1992-2005, holding Government roles in 1995-1997, and was a Shadow Minister under the next three Conservative leaders in opposition. His most senior role was Shadow Solicitor-General. He returned to corporate law in 2005, not contesting the 2005 election.
Vroon Modgill, CEO at Sokin, commented: “We are honoured to have such prestigious non-executive directors join us as we start the final stages of completing and testing our global payments network, which is when we need an experienced and strong board. We look forward to working with Lord Billingham and Nick Hawkins and benefitting from their experienced oversight, especially in the areas of business development and corporate governance. This is a very exciting time for Sokin, and the option of having senior counsel the management team can turn to will further strengthen the company and assist us as we prepare for our next funding round in 2021.”
Lord Bellingham commented: “Given that UK Fintech businesses attracted £38.4 billion in investments in 2019, up from £20.1 billion a year earlier, and just when Britain is lifting its horizons beyond Europe, this is a perfect time for Sokin to be launching its world-class products. I feel most honoured to be joining a brilliant team of executives and technical personnel.”