Big four financial services firm EY has announced plans to establish a new UK technology hub at its offices in Birmingham. It said the move had come in response to rising market demand for financial tech expertise outside London.
EY said it formed part of its target to double UK financial services technology revenues over the next three years.
The new hub will be run from its offices in 1 Colmore Square by a four-strong team of Sagar Khandelwal, Heather Hales, Mark Wood and Joe Murray.
Mr Khandelwal is a UK partner and has been at EY since 2013, specialising digital and emerging technology expertise and leads large-scale digital, cloud and data transformation programmes.
Ms Hales is a UK partner with more than two decades of experience working in insurance. She was hired by EY in 2010 and currently leads the firm's insurance technology transformation team.
Mr Wood started with EY as a UK partner in 2020 and has more than 25 years of experience in the banking sector, working both in industry and on the consulting side.
Joe Murray has recently joined the practice from BJSS where he was head of ops transformation and sustainability.
As part of the technology consultancy leadership team, he will be focused on helping banking clients navigate their own digital transformation.
Martina Neary, financial services Midlands leader at EY, said: "This is a significant investment in our technology business in the Midlands as we expand the range of skills and services that we're able to provide to clients.
"We have a strong and growing Midlands practice and are focused on attracting top tech talent to meet the needs of financial services companies across the region and the UK."
Neil Rami, chief executive of inward investment agency West Midlands Growth Company, added: "The West Midlands' status as the UK's fastest-growing tech sector outside of London and wealth of specialist talent makes it the ideal location for EY's innovative new tech hub.
"The region's critical mass of financial services businesses is also testament to the wealth of growth opportunities that the West Midlands has to offer ambitious firms.
"This investment is fantastic news for the region, set to bring a wave of jobs for local people, and we look forward to seeing and supporting EY's continued expansion in Birmingham."
