The British Accounting and Finance Association’s (BAFA)
annual conference will make its debut appearance in Wales next year.
The three-day event (6-8 April 2027) will take place at
Cardiff University after the academic organisation won a bid made in
partnership with Meet In Wales and local stakeholders.
BAFA’s annual event attracts scholars, researchers and practitioners
in finance and accountancy from across the UK and internationally.
The bid was led by Meet In Wales conference ambassador, professor
Qingwei Wang, leader of the Cardiff FinTech Research Group. During his career
he has organised or co-organised around 20 UK and international conferences.
He said: “Cardiff University has high strength in
accounting, finance, and FinTech research, making it a great home for the BAFA
conference. Cardiff also offers a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming
environment for delegates.”
Ambassadors form a key strategic part of Wales’ promotional
plans, with a national ambassador programme as well as a city programme in
Cardiff. Meet In Wales aligns its ambassador network with the key priority
sectors and Research Excellence Framework which includes Fintech.
Heledd Williams, head of business events at Meet In Wales,
said: “Hosting the BAFA Annual Conference in Cardiff is another powerful
example of international academic communities choosing Wales for its expertise,
accessibility and warm welcome. Conferences like BAFA not only advance global
knowledge exchange but also create lasting connections between international
specialists and our research communities.”
The technology sector in Wales is worth an estimated
£8.5billion to the Welsh economy. It is home to major FinTech employers
including Starling Bank, Sonovate, Delio, Pepper Money, and Wealthify.
