Formed in 2019, our society aims to explore technological innovations in finance and business. We help our members expand their understanding on Investment, Blockchain, Peer-to-Peer lending, AI and much more through our workshops and panel discussions. Despite being a recent society, we have been able to quickly gain recognition and enlarge our membership base.
We want to introduce our members to the Finance and Technology sectors and help them think about their career path, whether that be traditional or unorthodox. We want to create opportunities for our members to enrich their professional skills by participating in practical workshops and projects based on real life scenarios. We are deeply committed to diversity and inclusivity towards students from any and all backgrounds.
Local firm, Good Growth, provided two problems with a four-week timeline:
The project brought together over 50 ambitious students and mentors from the Business School and four other companies such as IBM, Accenture, UBS and Hatless Studios.
Each team consisted of 5 to 6 students; they were each provided with a mentor from a business or business/academia to assist them in person or on Skype/Zoom throughout the project. Teams were also allowed access to a solutions' budget to facilitate their efforts.
We started off with a networking event for the teams to find their members.
Shortly afterwards, we had the open evening with Good Growth where they presented their problems.
Across the next four weeks, each team worked together flexibly, planning, creating their solutions and attending workshops on marketing consultancy and utilising data in business.
We also organised a Data Science Introduction Workshop in partnership with Celonis in order to help the students create the best-planned solution for their respective business issues.
This culminated in a presentation night later the following month.
Each team delivered a 10-minute solution presentation after submitting their proposals.
We held a panel of four from AI-focused firms to discuss a range of topics concerning Artificial Intelligence. Our panellists were from Agile Datum (who hosted the largest planning AI centred hackathon in the UK), Applegate Marketplace (who have worked closely with the Whitehouse and US Government) and IBM (needs no introduction). This was followed by a Q&A afterwards.
Our first speaker on the AI panel was Beverly Dyke. Beverly is a managing consultant for IBM and has in excess of 7 years’ experience. Among other things, she has a passion for cognitive technologies and AI. Beverly wants to see a future where technology makes a positive impact on inclusion and diversity throughout the workplace and society.
Our second speaker on the AI panel was Alan Gibson. As an Associate Partner at IBM, Alan has been working with clients on ground-breaking AI and Analytics solutions across fields. His area of expertise lies in Comms and Media.
Our third speaker on the AI panel was Stuart Brocklehurst. After studying Theology at Oxford, Stuart worked for Barclays and later Visa in Senior roles. He would then go on to be the CEO of Applegate Marketplace. In his time there, Applegate have worked alongside the White House/US government, helping them with Artificial Intelligence. Stuart brings a unique, experienced, and detailed insight into AI.
Our fourth speaker on the AI panel was Anthony Peake. Having previously worked with BT and Apple Computer, Anthony is now the CEO of Agile Datum, an AI focused firm that has hosted the largest AI planning hackathon in the UK. He's currently working with councils around the country, and even the mayor of London, to help councils become more efficient.
We held a taster session for our events to come throughout the year, with over 50 attendees. We had an external speaker, George Benton from Encode Club, giving an "Introduction to Blockchain, Cryptocurrency and Decentralised Finance" presentation.
George went over a variety of topics ranging from Bitcoin vs Ethereum to the growing prevalence of NFTs as well as the VC finance behind it.
He also informed students about the Hackathons that Encode club has to offer and when they take place, as well as how to sign up.
If you would like to find out more, please email us at exeterfintechsoc@gmail.com.
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