The Exchange Autumn Series – 28 November 2013

Morning: Innovative Finance for Growth

8.15 to 8.30 Welcome and Registration – Australia Room

Register, pick up your delegate folder, and enjoy some tea, coffee and croissants.
Book your seminar sessions and tours of the Oval Cricket Ground.

8.30 to 8.50 Ashes Suite - Key Note Welcome

Key Note Introduction from Andy Davis – Former Editor of Weekend Financial Times

Highlighting innovations within the financial sector, Andy will hone in on key issues relating to SME financial access. His introduction will prepare the delegation for a morning of in-depth analysis on SME finance.

8.50 to 9.15 Ashes Suite - The Development of Crowd

Introduction from Chris Pieroni, Operations Director, Workspace

Presentation: Tania Ziegler - Alternative Funding Network Programme Manager

We present the initial findings of our independent research project on Crowd and P2P funding. Highlighting the changing financial landscape, the Knowledge Peers team will provide delegates with a clear understanding of the changes occuring in this nascent industry, as well as projections of how this industry will grow.
Delegates will also receive their free copy Knowledge Peers’ ground breaking research report.

9.15 to 10.30 The Alternative Funding Showcase & Facilitated Networking

Showcase includes Senior Management from ThinCats, CrowdBnk,Seedrs, Funding Circle, CrowdCube, FundingKnight, Platform Black, Asset Match, Syndicate Room and Rebuilding Society.

This session allows delegates to learn first hand how and what an alternative funding platform can do to kick start your business' funding journey. The first half hour will include brief case-studies from top level managment, drawn from a variety of platforms. After that, each platform will be located at one of the multiple tables set up throughout the coffee room for delegates to directly interact.

10.30 to 11.00 Pakistan Room - Presentation A: Big Data within the Financial Sector

Dr Carla Bonina, London School of Economics

Big Data is actively creating economic value for UK businesses. This indepth study conducted by the London School of Economics will highlight how Big Data is being used to change and advance the way we think about the financial sector. Presented by Carla Bonina, Head of Research.

10.30 to 11.00 Australia Room - Presentation B: Making Tax Schemes Work for your Business

Chair: Alastair McQuater, Buzzacott

Much confusion exists around tax schemes, however making use of them can be the difference between a fund raising success or failure. This specially tailored presentation by Buzzacott corporate partner Alastair McQuarter, will give SMEs invaluable insight into UK tax structures, especially that of EIS and SEIS.

11.00 to 11.45 Pakistan Room – Seminar A Regulation: Friend or Foe?

Chair: Simon Wax, Buzzacott

Panel Includes: Jeff Lynn, Seedrs. Executive Director, ThinCats. Julia Groves, UKCFA, and representation from the FCA

As a nascent industry, Crowdfunding has yet to undergo full regulation. As of April 2014, Crowdfunding will come under full regulation by the FCA and regulation will surely have an impact on the shape and direction of this industry. With the FCA's consultation on crowdfunding in full swing, this seminar will give delegates a rare opportunity into the workings of how future regulation is created. This seminar will feature thoughtful debate into the changes regulation will bring about and how the crowd industry can work in symbiosis with the regulatory body.

11.00 to 11.45 Ashes Suite - Seminar B The Evolution of the Angel Market and the Private Equity Response to the recession

Chair: Chris Sier, Knowledge Transfer Network.

Panel: Modwenna Rees Mogg, CEO Angel News, Will Brooks, The Angel Investment Network, Goncalo De Vasconcelos, CEO, Syndicate Room, Benoit Broch, Director, ISIS EquityPartners

Business Angels have always had a large role to play in SME fund raising. In the last few years, however, changes in the financial landscape have had an impact on the way Angels work today. This seminar will look at what impact technology has had on business angels. We'll also look at how the private equity market model has responded to recession.

11.45 to 12.45 Ashes Suite - How to redefine finance through technology- Fintech Evolution!

Chair: Aneesh Varma, CEO, FabriQate.

Panel: Sammad Masood, Accenture Fintech Lab, Jonathan Segal, Wragge, James Varga, MiiCard, Anil Stocker, MarketInvoice, Goncalo Vasconcelos, CEO Syndicate Room.

As technology shapes and redifines finance, a host of businesses are working to enhance, disrupt and improve the way we think about investments, payments and transactions by introducing web-based platforms and programs. As an industry mover and shaker, FinTech has the potential of changing the way we look at financial services. This session brings together a host of speakers who will discuss the evolution and advancement of FinTech from a variety of vantage points.