Amsterdam-based Holland FinTech evolves, strengthens its governance; here’s its new board

With the purpose of strengthening the position of the Fintech ecosystem in the Netherlands, Amsterdam-based Holland FinTech is strengthening its governance as an association. It also installs a new board with representatives, leaders, and experts from the fintech network.

Founded in 2014, Holland FinTech is a network organisation for financial innovation and fintech. It brings together various stakeholders in finance, technology, and the supporting ecosystem to share knowledge and do business with one another.

“The current times demand a stronger feel with the needs of members, as well as a good relationship with all stakeholders, and a good sense of the sentiments in society, about digitisation and financial services. The world has become more demanding and Holland Fintech plans to live up to it, and the new board gives the association the stamina to do so,” the private organisation mentions in a press release.

Holland FinTech 2.0

With an aim to shape the future of digital finance, Holland FinTech sees a need for a stronger representation internally, as well as externally. Internally, it believes that since its network is very diverse, it requires a large representation in the governing body of the ecosystem.

As for external, the need for better education and awareness about the opportunities and risks of digitising finance is needed, with more focus on research, storytelling, and stakeholder engagement.

“Holland FinTech’s transition to a formal association, with a general assembly and a board will help keep track of the needs of society to make a strong ecosystem for fintech. It is further foreseen that several working groups and committees will further strengthen member engagement, collaborate for collective interests and to let society benefit from the developments in digital finance,” it says. 

The board of Holland Fintech 2.0

The executive team comprises the founder of Holland Fintech Don Ginsel, who will be supported by the current team at Holland Fintech, ensuring full continuity of program and  services to the network. 

The non-executive Board will strengthen the liaison with members and other stakeholders in society, and will be chaired by Douwe Lycklama (founding partner at Innopay), as President of the Board. 

In addition, the non-executive board will also include Andre Moen (founder & CEO at Intersolve); Angelique Schouten (Executive Board at Ohpen); Fleur Dujardin (CEO at Inshared);  Harrie Vollaard (MD at Rabo Frontier Ventures); Hessel Kuik (founder & CEO at Bizcuit Group); and Marcel Prins (COO at APG). 

What is Holland Fintech’s purpose?

Founded by Don Ginsel in 2014, Holland FinTech is a financial technology hub with links to the US, the UK, Israel, Singapore, Amsterdam, and Europe. Its purpose is to bring together various stakeholders in finance, technology, and the supporting ecosystem to share knowledge and do business with one another. In simple terms, it supports startups in their early phase, connecting them to investors, talent and potential partners and customers.

In addition, Holland FinTech offers global FinTech news, events, and research through its website; member updates; and newsletters. It also hosts, organises, and supports events and partners with international organisations to match startups working with large corporates.

Holland FinTech claims to connect around 400 companies, ranging from startups to large incumbent financial institutions, as well as technology and other service providers that operate in the financial services ecosystem.

The company says it will keep on supporting all companies that are aiming to understand technologies and digitisation in financial services, learn, align, engage and share in the network.

The changes in governance and structure were presented yesterday at Holland FinTech’s Annual Member Summit.

Last year, at the launch party of the Amsterdam Fintech Week (XFW20), Fintech AERA and Holland Fintech launched the European Fintech Navigator – a guide to the European fintech ecosystem.

The interactive website covers Europe in country profiles, industry expert insights, regulators and supervisors, investors, company, as well as profiles covered. It also covers topics for banking and payments to insurance and pensions and looks at all the underlying technologies and trends that allow startups to enter the market as well as the transformation the incumbent industry is going through.