Wrap platform provider Nucleus has triumphed at this year’s Scottish Financial Services Award 2017, winning the top trophy.

Victoria MacLean, an investment manager at Aberdeen Standard Investments, received the first Rising Star Award at the awards dinner last night. She joined the company as a graduate in 2012.

Nucleus won the award at the event organised by Scottish Financial Enterprise for  “leading the way in securing Scotland’s future, standing as a centre of excellence in platform development and asset servicing.”

The judges highlighted Nucleus’ innovative and customer-focussed technology-based business model. The company beat off competition from other finalists including mobile and web banking firm Avaloq, fintech firm Castlight, online accounting firm FreeAgent and HSBC.

Finalists for the Rising Star Award included Arman Eshraghi, associate professor of Finance & Accounting, University of Edinburgh, Miro Gregorovic, senior IT business consultant Sopra Steria, and Rory Marsh, business manager (CEO, Pensions & Savings), Standard Life Aberdeen.

Nucleus, which describes itself as an “adviser-built wrap”, was launched in 2006 and now employs 180 staff. It has £13bn in funds under management and 90,000 customers in the UK.
Edinburgh-based Nucleus supports the Scottish Financial Enterprise FinTech strategy with its founder and chief executive David Ferguson appointed one of two Scottish FinTech envoys by the Treasury last year.

Entrants are judged on their contributions to Scotland's standing as a financial centre, their long-term perspectives, the benefits for customers and their innovation and imagination. Over 600 guests attended last night’s annual dinner in Edinburgh where the awards were presented.

David Ferguson, Nucleus chief executive, said: “We’re thrilled to collect this award and to achieve such great recognition from Scottish Financial Enterprise and the wider membership, especially against such a strong field. We’re very grateful to the judges for acknowledging our work and we look forward to celebrating with the amazing people who have made Nucleus what it is today.

“We created Nucleus to put the customer centre stage and £13bn later, our highly skilled and passionate team are still giving it their all to make this happen. I’m immensely grateful for everyone who’s helped us get to this point, and particularly for the wisdom of our late chairman, Paul Bradshaw, who would have loved this award but sadly passed away in January. We’ve always had very big plans for Nucleus and I’m sure this award will help nudge us along a little bit faster.”

Sue Dawe, EY Partner and head of Financial Services in Scotland, said: “Scotland is one of the world’s most exciting hubs for FinTech innovation and this year’s winner of the Scottish Financial Services Award, Nucleus, is a shining example of the world-class capabilities we offer in this field.”

Jim Pettigrew, Scottish Financial Enterprise chairman, said: “Nucleus Financial are a thriving Scottish FinTech who have made a significant impact on the financial services landscape since they launched just over a decade ago. They are dedicated to helping the FinTech sector grow through innovation and are helping to ensure Scotland is a world-leader in our continuously evolving industry.

“Congratulations to everyone at Nucleus Financial on winning the Scottish Financial Services Award for 2017 and to Victoria MacLean of Aberdeen Standard Investments on receiving the first Rising Star Award.”