Sibos is coming to London

London has been selected as the host city for Sibos 2019, the world’s premium financial services event. It will be the first time that Sibos, the annual banking and financial conference organised by the Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), has been held in the UK for 34 years. Following a successful bid by ExCeL London and London & Partners, more than 7,000 financial services professionals from across the globe will converge on the capital in 2019.

Mayor of London Boris Johnson said: “Our great capital is leading the world in financial services and financial technology, offering a veritable melting pot of expertise, insight and innovation. Hosting this influential gathering underlines our world-leading credentials as a booming financial and technology centre, and I am certain that with London as the dazzling backdrop, Sibos 2019 will be a huge success.”

David Pegler, CEO, ExCeL London, said that investment in ExCeL’s event facilities and London’s transport and hotel infrastructure meant that the venue was able to meet the criteria outlined by SWIFT for the first time. He said: “We are thrilled that London and ExCeL have been chosen to host Sibos in 2019. As the world’s premium financial services event, it has been our aspiration to host Sibos for many years.”

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 four years to deliver an unforgettable Sibos.”

Sibos was last held in the UK when it was hosted in Brighton in 1985. 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.” Sven Bossu, head of Sibos at SWIFT, said: “ExCeL and London & Partners have done an outstanding job in providing all the key elements required for making Sibos successful. The overall coordination between venue, city and representatives of the financial industry was truly impressive. We look forward to bringing Sibos to the financial heart of Europe for the first time – and to making it a great experience for our entire community.”