London wins bid to host Sibos 2019

Sibos has selected London as the host city for Sibos 2019. Following a successful bid by ExCeL London and London & Partners, the Mayor’s official promotional company for London, more than 7,000 financial services professionals from across the globe will converge on the city of London in 2019.

London claimed the top spot as a centre for technology readiness, business, finance and culture in PwC’s latest Cities of Opportunity index, which ranks 30 major cities internationally. The city is also well-placed to lead the world in financial technology due to the convergence between its financial services industry and the booming tech industry. London employs more workers in financial technology than either New York City or San Francisco’s Silicon Valley. The city also hosts a growing number of fintech accelerators, and the UK and Ireland accounted for more than half of Europe’s fintech deals in 2013 – as well as more than two-thirds of total financing – according to Accenture.

David Pegler, CEO, ExCeL London, said: "As the world’s premium financial services event, it has been our aspiration to host Sibos for many years. The huge investment in ExCeL’s world-class event facilities coupled with London’s new transport and hotel infrastructure mean that we have been able to meet the criteria outlined by SWIFT for the very first time. By 2019, Sibos delegates will be able to travel across our city in record time using Crossrail, arriving at ExCeL’s dedicated onsite station. Sibos joins our portfolio of world-leading events which contribute significantly to London’s economy, generating £2.9billion in economic impact and supporting 31,000 jobs in 2014. We look forward to working in partnership with SWIFT over the next 4 years to deliver an unforgettable Sibos.”

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, said: "Sibos 2019 is a big win for London and we are thrilled to be able to make this announcement. It is over 30 years since Sibos came to the UK and London's financial services landscape has changed beyond recognition since then, particularly with the rapid growth of our fintech sector. The organisers were wowed by the enthusiasm of partners across London to host the event as well as the city's credentials as a world-leading financial centre. We look forward to welcoming Sibos in 2019 and to showcasing London's offer to the many thousands of delegates who will fly in from around the world for the event."

Since its opening in November 2000, ExCeL has played host to 4,000 events, welcoming more than 20 million visitors from 200 countries. It is London’s largest events venue, with 100,000 square metres of flexible event space, including two conference suites and 60 meeting rooms. The venue is well situated on a 100-acre waterfront campus in the heart of London’s Royal Docks, including 7 onsite hotels and numerous cafés, bars and restaurants. It provides excellent transportation links to the London Underground and, as of 2018, ExCeL will have its own dedicated Crossrail station opening up the whole of London to Sibos delegates, with quick easy access across the City, including direct access from Heathrow in 43 minutes.