An Armagh student has been named Northern Ireland’s top emerging fintech talent after winning a prestigious scholarship in a sector now central to the region’s economy.
Anna Donnelly, from Armagh, has been awarded CompareNI.com’s Fintech Scholarship – now in its sixth year – after completing a Master’s degree in FinTech and Data Science at Ulster University’s Magee campus.
As part of the award, she receives a £1,000 bursary to support her studies and will have the opportunity to gain work experience with Belfast-based Seopa, the fintech company behind Northern Ireland’s largest price comparison site, CompareNI.com.
Encouraging other local students to follow her lead, Anna said fintech offered a wealth of opportunity for graduates from a wide range of disciplines.
“The great thing about fintech is that it thrives on a diverse range of specialisms, meaning it can open doors for graduates from many different backgrounds,” she said.
“The skills learned in fintech can be applied to so many jobs and there are lots of opportunities if you look for them, particularly in Belfast. Fintech graduates are in a great position to access lots of different career paths, from software development and cyber security to data analytics, fraud detection and many more.”
Her success comes as new research by CompareNI.com suggests too few young people are considering a future in the industry – despite Northern Ireland’s status as a global fintech hub.
A survey of 100 students found only 14% had considered a career in financial technology, while just one in five (20%) were aware of the sector’s reputation for strong salaries, generous benefits and rapid career progression.
Fintech – which spans digital payments, regulatory technology (RegTech), cybersecurity, data analytics and insurance technology – is now one of Northern Ireland’s fastest-growing sectors, with around one in five workers employed in related roles.
Belfast is ranked among the world’s top cities for fintech development and inward investment, thanks to a mix of specialist expertise, competitive costs and strong government support. But industry leaders warn that long‑term growth is at risk if the skills pipeline doesn’t keep pace.
Professor Danielle McWall, Associate Dean (Partnership and student recruitment) at Ulster University, said Northern Ireland has a proven track record of attracting major fintech investors, but many students still don’t see it as a clear career route.
“For many students, fintech isn’t resonating with them as a career option. They may have an interest in technology or finance, but many don’t tend to merge these areas together,” she said.
“There are really fabulous careers out there in the world of fintech and I think many students will eventually end up circling back to these after they have done a more traditional degree, but it is about getting them to understand that there are specialised degrees in fintech that will open up wonderful careers for them.”
Professor Barry Quinn, Professor of Finance and Financial Technology at Ulster University, said fintech skills are becoming “increasingly relevant” for anyone entering the modern workplace.
“Fintech now touches almost every aspect of our daily lives. From digital payments and online banking to cybersecurity and artificial intelligence, almost all businesses use fintech in some capacity, so it is a skillset that will serve young people well,” he said.
“More needs to be done to introduce young people to fintech at an earlier stage, and we at Ulster University are front and centre of that. We were one of the first places in the UK to introduce an undergraduate degree apprenticeship in fintech, allowing students to apply the skills learned in the classroom to the workplace.”
Ian Wilson, Managing Director of CompareNI.com, said Anna’s achievement underlined the calibre of homegrown talent but warned that more awareness work is needed.
“Our research suggests there is still plenty of work to do when it comes to helping students understand the opportunities available in fintech,” he said.
“Having a steady supply of talented graduates to meet the growing demand is vital if Northern Ireland is to continue attracting investment, creating high‑value jobs and retaining its position as a global fintech powerhouse.
“We are keen to work closely with educational institutions to nurture and develop homegrown talent, ensuring a steady flow of opportunities for both next generation professionals and local companies.
“Through initiatives such as our Fintech Scholarship, we want to help students realise their potential and increase awareness in the opportunities available for graduates in this rapidly growing industry.”
Seopa, which will provide Anna with work experience as part of her scholarship, has been investing heavily in recruitment and growth. The firm has picked up six Deloitte Technology Fast 50 Awards and has been named a Deloitte Best Managed Company for nine consecutive years, as well as taking the Employer of the Year title at the Belfast Telegraph Business Awards 2026.
