TLDR: The founder and former CEO of Scottish fintech DirectID, James Varga, has announced his official departure from the company after 13 years. Varga highlighted the company’s pioneering work in fintech and open banking, and his involvement in fostering a global-first mindset. He aims to support UK exports and address the funding challenge for green energy production. His new projects focus on leveraging the transformative power of data and artificial intelligence (AI) in decision-making processes.
The founder and former CEO of Scottish fintech DirectID, James Varga, has officially left the company after 13 years. Varga stepped back from the top position last July to focus on his role as the founder. In a statement, he stated that it was time for a new chapter after reflecting on the company’s journey. He highlighted their pioneering work in fintech and advocacy for open banking, which predates the global movements in these areas.
Varga also emphasized his involvement with X3, a business growth event focused on the Scottish ecosystem, and his commitment to fostering a global-first mindset. He aims to support UK exports through collaborations with organizations such as SDI, DBT, Tech Export Support Group, SHIFT, Fintech Scotland, and others. His focus aligns with his work at First Carbon Investments, addressing the crucial challenge of funding green energy production. The common thread among his new projects is the transformative power of data.
Having served as CEO since founding the company in 2011, Varga played a pivotal role in establishing open banking standards in the UK and assisting over 170 organizations with valuable data and insights. The new CEO, Chris Mills, brings 15 years of leadership experience in financial services, previously serving as the CEO of the UK’s largest independent mortgage broker, L&C.