FinTech West and Howden Unite on Regional Cyber Resilience

As cyberattacks continue to pose significant financial and operational risks to FinTech companies, security has emerged as a critical priority for the sector.

The escalating threat landscape is prompting firms to rethink their approach to resilience, moving beyond traditional technical defences towards more collaborative and comprehensive strategies.

The strategic partnership between Howden Salisbury and FinTech West – the representative body for fintech in South West England – reflects this shifting reality.

By connecting fintech firms with insurance and cybersecurity specialists, the collaboration seeks to build stronger defences across an increasingly vulnerable ecosystem.

The partnership builds on a successful joint event held in Bristol, which brought together leaders from across fintech, insurance and cybersecurity to address real-world challenges.

The session, called Cybersecurity: From Prevention to Protection, created a forum for open discussion about how organisations can better prepare for and respond to emerging threats.

David Willis, Divisional Director of Howden Personal Lines, says: "The cybersecurity session highlighted the value of open discussion between FinTech, technology and insurance organisations.

"We are pleased to be partnering with FinTech West to support further conversations and engagement across the sector."

Cross-sector collaboration addresses FinTech vulnerabilities

The partnership draws momentum from the December 2025 event, which featured experts from the National Cyber Security Centre, part of GCHQ, alongside specialists from cybersecurity, insurance and technology firms.

Contributors from organisations including CFC Underwriting and Navos Technologies explored the full lifecycle of cyber risk, examining everything from prevention and mitigation through to response and insurance protection.

This comprehensive approach signals a broader shift within the fintech sector, where organisations are increasingly recognising that cyber resilience requires more than technical solutions alone.

The complexity of modern threats demands coordination between industries, shared intelligence and a deeper understanding of evolving risk landscapes.

By bringing together diverse expertise, the partnership aims to equip fintech organisations with practical strategies to reduce risk and respond effectively when incidents occur.

The focus extends beyond prevention to ensure businesses are prepared for recovery and continuity, recognising that resilience encompasses both defence and response capabilities.

Innovation through industry connection

At its core, the partnership seeks to foster stronger connections between fintech firms, insurers and technology providers.

FinTech West has positioned itself as a hub for collaboration, connecting startups, scaleups, financial services firms and investors with the resources needed to navigate industry challenges.

Through a programme of future events and engagement initiatives, the collaboration with Howden will continue to create opportunities for knowledge sharing and innovation.

These efforts could address common industry challenges while supporting businesses in navigating an increasingly complex risk environment.

Stuart Harrison, Director of FinTech West, says: "Our December cybersecurity event showed how valuable it is to bring different parts of the industry together to discuss shared challenges.

"This partnership with Howden helps us continue creating opportunities for those conversations and connections both within our existing community and those external to it."

Proactive risk management becomes sector priority

As cyber threats continue to evolve in sophistication and scale, resilience is becoming a defining priority for FinTech organisations of all sizes.

The sector faces unique vulnerabilities due to the sensitivity of financial data and the critical nature of payment infrastructure, making robust cyber defences essential for maintaining trust and operational continuity.

The partnership between FinTech West and Howden Salisbury reflects a wider industry trend towards proactive risk management and collaborative problem solving.

Rather than operating in isolation, FinTech firms are increasingly recognising the value of shared expertise and coordinated responses to common threats.

By combining knowledge from across fintech, insurance and cybersecurity, the initiative aims to support organisations in building more robust defences while preparing for the realities of modern cyber risk.

This holistic approach could prove crucial as the sector continues to innovate and expand, ensuring that growth is accompanied by proportionate attention to security and resilience.

The collaboration signals a maturing fintech sector that understands cyber resilience is not simply a technical challenge but a strategic imperative requiring industry-wide cooperation and continuous adaptation to emerging threats.