Nikhil Rathi to launch ‘Asian Stars in UK Tech’ list
Nikhil Rathi, CEO of the London Stock Exchange Plc, is to give the keynote address at the launch of the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2016 list on Monday 13th June. Mr Rathi, who was appointed CEO in September 2015, also has group-wide responsibility for International Development. He will give an overview of the London Stock Exchange Group (LSEG); its connections with the technology sector in Britain and will also be presenting the Chairman’s Award at the list launch.
Nikhil Rathi joined LSEG from the UK Treasury, where he held a number of senior positions over an eleven year period. Most recently he was Director of the Financial Services Group, representing the UK Government’s financial services interests in the EU and internationally. He served as the UK representative on the EU Financial Services Committee. Prior to that, he was Head of the Financial Stability unit, overseeing a number of the UK’s financial stability interventions during the crisis. Nikhil also served as Private Secretary to the UK Prime Minister for three years from 2005 to 2008.
About the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2016
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list which was launched last year, in association with KPMG High Growth Technology Group and Wayra UK, was announced by Diversity UK at a networking event held in London. The list focuses on those at Executive Levels within established companies and Founders in startups. Winner of the Chairman's Award 2015 was entrepreneur Dinesh Dhamija, previously the Founder of one of Europe’s most successful internet travel agencies, ebookers.com, and now the Founder and Chairman of Copper Beech, a company which manages investments in sustainable education, ecotourism and real estate.
This year, the geographic scope of the list has been extended to include those whose heritage is from East Asia or South East Asia, in addition to South Asian countries. “This has ‘raised the bar’ considerably and led to more than half of the list being made up of new entrants” said list curator Lopa Patel MBE, Founder & CEO of Diversity UK. The list is part curated and part nominated with the shortlisting process being carried out by a panel of eleven expert judges from the digital and tech world.
Digital Industries represent 12% of the UK economy
Patrick Imbach, Head of KPMG Tech Growth commented: “Digital industries are very important to the UK, accounting for nearly 1.5 million jobs and representing over 12% of the UK economy, the highest proportion in the G20 set of nations. Due to the vast number of new businesses emerging in the sector it is also the fastest growing part of our economy. Although the UK tech sector scores more highly than other global ecosystems in terms of its gender diversity, very little attention is given to other aspects of diversity within the UK start up community which are of equal importance. The Top Asians in Tech list highlights and celebrates the Asian talent in our tech sector and the important role they play in our success story around the world.”
Celebrating Diversity in the Tech Sector
Bina Mehta, KPMG Partner leading engagement with next generation of Asians added : “KPMG is proud to be supporting the Diversity Tech Summit and the Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech list. Diversity is a key element of any successful business community and it is important that we celebrate the successes of Asian entrepreneurs, influencers and leaders in the tech sector and the vital job they do as role models to the younger generation of Asians in the UK.”
The Top 100 Asian Stars in UK Tech 2016 launch takes place on 13th June 2016. It is preceded by the Diversity Tech Summit, the first event of its kind in the United Kingdom aimed at increasing diversity throughout the startup ecosystem.
Visit www.wayra.co.uk/diversity for more details about the Diversity Tech Summit.
About KPMG’s High Growth Technology Group
KPMG's High Growth Technology Group is based in Shoreditch, London. The group is focused on helping early stage and high growth technology companies succeed through providing advice and assurance as well as contacts in the ecosystem for UK technology startups. The team’s remit includes advising companies on: successfully scaling their business, understanding what tax incentives might be available, corporate structuring and expanding internationally, accessing equity and M&A transactions. Furthermore, KPMG's High Growth Technology Group hosts a range of industry and networking events for the startup community in London and supports a number of startup accelerator programmes as coaches and/ or mentors.
About KPMG
KPMG LLP, a UK limited liability partnership, is a subsidiary of KPMG Europe LLP and operates from 22 offices across the UK with approximately 11,500 partners and staff. The UK firm recorded a turnover of £1.8 billion in the year ended September 2013. KPMG is a global network of professional firms providing Audit, Tax, and Advisory services. It operates in 155 countries and has 155,000 professionals working in member firms around the world. The independent member firms of the KPMG network are affiliated with KPMG International Cooperative ("KPMG International"), a Swiss entity. Each KPMG firm is a legally distinct and separate entity and describes itself as such.
About Wayra
Wayra is a start-up accelerator owned by Telefónica, one of the world’s largest telecommunications companies. Wayra first launched in Latin America and Spain in 2011 and there are now 14 Wayra academies in 12 countries in Europe and Latin America. Companies accepted into the Wayra programme receive funding of up to $60,000 plus office space, mentoring and access to a wider investor network. In 2015, Wayra UK welcomed 22 startups into its newly refurbished academy, half of which are being accelerated by Wayra UnLtd, the UK’s first accelerator facility for digital technology social ventures.
