Ulster University and FinTrU partner to boost financial services talent in North West

PICTURED ABOVE: Left to right, Kathleen McDermott, Executive Director, FinTrU;  Clodagh Hegarty, Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Ulster University; Emer Gallagher, Module Coordinator, Ulster University; Aidan Cleary, Executive Director at FinTrU; and Erin King, Talent Partner at FinTrU - announcing a new partnership between Ulster University’s Business School and FinTrU to strengthen pathways into financial services and boost student employability in the North West.

Ulster University’s Department of Global Business and Enterprise, part of the Ulster University Business School (UUBS), has announced a new partnership with FinTrU designed to strengthen pathways into financial services and enhance employability opportunities for students in the North West. 

As part of the partnership, the FinTrU IOC Exam Fund will support first-year students studying the BSc (Hons) Accounting and Finance, BSc (Hons) Accounting with Computing, and BSc (Hons) Accounting with Education programmes. The fund provides up to ten scholarships each academic year for students undertaking the ACF150 Introduction to Financial Markets, Securities, and Investments module.

Through this initiative, recipients will have the opportunity to complete the Chartered Institute for Securities and Investment (CISI) Introduction to Securities and Investment qualification – helping them gain early professional accreditation and strengthen their future career prospects in finance.

The collaboration was officially launched at a student workshop on Wednesday 15 October at the University’s Derry campus, where FinTrU representatives introduced students to the company, its work within the global financial services sector, and the skills needed to succeed in the industry.

Speaking at the launch, Clodagh Hegarty, Senior Lecturer in Accounting, Ulster University, said: “We are delighted to partner with FinTrU to give our students first-hand insight into the financial services sector and the professional skills that employers value most. This collaboration strengthens our shared ambition to develop graduate talent and support the economic growth of the North West through meaningful industry engagement.”

Aidan Cleary, Executive Director, FinTrU, added: “FinTrU is proud to collaborate with Ulster University to help shape the next generation of financial services professionals.

“Our partnership reflects a mutual commitment to creating opportunities for local students and ensuring that the North West continues to thrive as a hub for innovation, talent, and professional excellence.”

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Kathleen McDermott, Executive Director, FinTrU, added: “This partnership with Ulster University is a strong example of how industry and academia can work together to unlock potential and support regional prosperity.

“By investing in early-stage talent and giving students access to professional qualifications, we are enhancing employability and building a pipeline of future leaders who will shape the financial services sector in the North West and further afield.”

Reflecting a shared commitment to regional growth and skills development, the partnership will see Ulster University and FinTrU work closely together to connect academic learning with meaningful industry experience.

The initiative builds on both organisations’ investment in the North West as a centre of professional and financial services excellence, ensuring that local students can access high-quality career pathways and contribute to the region’s ongoing success.