LONDON, June 17, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

London's affinity for innovation and financial technology proves a solid fit for the Sibos agenda

Sibos announces that it has selected London as the host city for Sibos 2019. Following a successful bid by ExCeL London and London & Partners, the Mayor's official promotional company for London, more than 7,000 financial services professionals from across the globe will converge on the city of London in 2019.

The Mayor of London, Boris Johnson MP, said: "As London Technology Week is currently proving, 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."

London claimed the top spot as a centre for technology readiness, business, finance and culture in PwC's latest Cities of Opportunity index, which ranks 30 major cities internationally. The city is also well-placed to lead the world in financial technology due to the convergence between its financial services industry and the booming tech industry. London employs more workers in financial technology than either New York City or San Francisco's Silicon Valley. The city also hosts a growing number of fintech accelerators, and the UK and Ireland accounted for more than half of Europe's fintech deals in 2013 - as well as more than two-thirds of total financing - according to Accenture.

Gordon Innes, CEO of London & Partners, said: "It's 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."

David Pegler, CEO, ExCeL London, said: "As the world's premium financial services event, it has been our aspiration to host Sibos for many years. The huge investment in ExCeL's world-class event facilities coupled with London's new transport and hotel infrastructure mean that we have been able to meet the criteria outlined by SWIFT for the very first time. We look forward to working in partnership with SWIFT over the next 4 years to deliver an unforgettable Sibos."

Sven Bossu, Head of Sibos at SWIFT, says, "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."

SOURCE London & Partners and Sibos