Fintech diversity programme partners with Plato Partnership for students to attend MI3 Academic Conference
Work in Fintech inspires and guides young people from different social and ethnic backgrounds into a career in fintech and web3
A small cohort of students will attend the Market Innovator (MI3) Academic Conference paired up with industry mentors
The partnership aims to help increase diversity in the financial services industry
London, 20th June 2023 – Work in Fintech (‘WIF’), the social project aiming to increase diversity and social mobility in fintech and web3, today announces it is partnering with Plato Partnership (‘Plato’), a not-for-profit company aiming to bring creative solutions and efficiencies to today’s complex equity marketplace.
WIF and Plato will collaboratively guide eight students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds through Plato’s seventh Market Innovator (MI3) Academic Conference on the 21st of June. At the conference, academics will present their research to leading market participants, covering some of the most pressing topics facing the industry today, including bond pricing, DeFi, exchange innovation, etc.
The cohort of students attending the conference are currently studying computer science, fintech, economics and finance at UK universities.
The eight students will attend various panels and presentations at the event and engage with attendees, chaperoned by WIF co-founder and UEL Centre of Fintech Advisory Board Member, Matthew Cheung. Each student will also benefit from one-on-one mentoring with Plato members and market participants from the buy-side and sell-side, giving them an opportunity to connect with key players, start building their own network and gain insights on how to successfully enter the industry.
Founded in 2020, WIF offers students, graduates and young people looking to transition into fintech and web3 opportunities for work experience and internship programmes as well as access to coaches and mentors.
Matthew Cheung, co-founder of Work in Fintech, said: “Since inception, WIF has strived to bring greater diversity to the world of fintech, a vibrant and still relatively young industry, by breaking down some of the barriers to entry that candidates of certain social and ethnic backgrounds can sometimes face.
“We are thrilled to be able to provide an opportunity for young students to attend such an outstanding event and gain first-hand experience in engaging and networking with key market participants.
“Thanks to our collaboration with Plato Partnership, we are moving one step forward towards greater diversity and inclusion in financial services. There is still much to be done and we very much look forward to continuing collaborating with Plato in the future.”
Mike Bellaro, CEO at Plato Partnership, added: “The work WIF is doing is inspiring and crucial to the future of fintech. Appealing to the next generation at a young age about the prospect of a career in financial services and getting them excited about the opportunities that lie within, is critical to ensure that the sector remains open and innovative.
“Fostering greater diversity and inclusion is one of Plato’s core initiatives for the coming years, so we are delighted to work with WIF in achieving our common goal of changing the face of the industry, now and in the future.”
Chris McConville, Global Head of Execution Services and Trading at KCx (Kepler Cheuvreux), and a Board Member of Plato Partnership, added: “Educating the next generation from an early age about fintech is key. I think part of the challenge comes from a lack of awareness of the opportunities open to them and this needs to change. I’m thrilled to have a chance to mentor a student at the event and hopefully help break the pattern by inspiring them to consider a career in this sector.”
Loveday Mwatsuku, student and member of WIF, said: “I’m very excited about attending Plato’s MI3 conference and meeting some of the top leaders in the industry. I think the one-on-one mentoring will be especially helpful, as in, hearing about their own experiences and perhaps getting some tips on how to ace job interviews.
“A career in fintech has always attracted me, but I wasn’t sure if it would happen. But thanks to Matthew, WIF and the opportunities they’ve provided me, I feel I’ve gained valuable knowledge and experience already, which will help me build a career in this fascinating sector.”
WIF and Plato share a mutual goal: bringing more diversity to the fintech industry by engaging and networking with potential candidates early on in their education or career. Plato is also a partner of 100 Women in Fintech – part of 100 Women in Finance, the global finance industry network – which aims to elevates the public profile of female fintech leaders, enables their stronger interconnectivity to the fintech ecosystem, and inspires the next generation of female fintech talent.
About Work in Fintech
Work in Fintech inspires, educates and guides young people into a career in fintech and web3. Co-founders Matthew Cheung and Ying Cao run work experience, insight days, virtual internships, teaching, mentoring and coaching for people from any background from high school to university. Work in Fintech also coaches and mentors people working in traditional finance who want to move into fintech and web3.
The leadership team includes Matthew, a London based fintech entrepreneur and currently CEO of ipushpull, a capital markets fintech, as well as Ying, originally from China and now based in New York in her role as CEO of Liyt, an executive coaching platform – she was also previously Head of Digital Products at Barclays Investment Bank. Together they run Work in Fintech.
