Z/Yen Community Newsletter December 2025

Monday, 01 December 2025
By Sasha Davis

As December arrives bringing the warmth and anticipation of the festive season, the FS Club invites you to join us for a series of forthcoming events. On 03 December, we will host a debate in partnership with Debate Mate, Will AI Enhance Or Replace Human Skills In The Future Workforce?, which will examine the evolving relationship between artificial intelligence and human capabilities. On 04 December, join us for the Launch Of Smart Centres Index 12, presenting the latest analysis of how the world’s leading technology and financial centres are adapting to the demands of innovation. If you are looking to discover the secrets of the City of London, join our walking tour, Secret Alleys & Taverns Of The East Side Of The City Of London on 28 January. Attendance at this event is complimentary for sponsors of the FS Club. We look forward to welcoming you to these forthcoming events.

Sasha Davis (Manager, FS Club) & The Team at Z/Yen

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Events & Webinars

  • Featured Past Webinars

Sigurdur Arnason:
The Big Problem: Why Most Music Never Leaves The Bedroom

Mike Wardle & Simon Mills:
Launch Of Global Green Finance Index 16

  • Forthcoming Webinars

Debate: Will AI Enhance Or Replace Human Skills In The Future Workforce? Wednesday, 03 December 2025

Launch Of Smart Centres Index 12 Thursday, 04 December 2025

An Update On EU Financial Services Regulatory Agenda Tuesday, 13 January 2026

  • Events

Secret Alleys & Taverns Of The East Side Of The City Of London Wednesday, 28 January 2026

The Esop Centre’s newspad, is a monthly publication providing in-depth coverage of the main international news in the field of employee share ownership. Read this month’s newspad in full.

FS Club News

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Taiwan Stock Exchange Corporation:

Taiwan Stock Exchange encourages listed companies to participate in the “Power Up Program” and disclose their “Corporate Value Enhancement Plans”:

In June 2024, TWSE launched the “Power Up Program” to encourage listed companies to disclose Corporate Value Enhancement Plans and strengthen shareholder engagement. Over a year later, more than 100 companies have shared their plans, demonstrating leadership in transparency and corporate governance. Moving forward, the TWSE will continue to encourage listed companies to adopt an investor-oriented perspective, enhance corporate value through self-assessment and strategic planning, and strengthen communication with stakeholders. Read the full publication here.

The news from the TWSE: https://twmonthly.twse.com.tw/
Follow TWSE on LinkedIn to stay informed.

BFC Busan NewsLogo

Busan Finance Center:

BIFC Tower 3 and the IHO Infrastructure Center Anchor a New Maritime–Digital Hub:

Busan is entering a new phase in its journey toward becoming both a global financial centre and a leading maritime hub. At the heart of this transition is the third phase of the Busan International Finance Center (BIFC), scheduled for completion in December 2025. The new 45-storey tower will expand the existing financial district and create a digital finance ecosystem that brings together fintech, blockchain, artificial intelligence, investment and financial services in one integrated cluster. Read the full publication here.

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Kigali International Financial Centre: The Kigali International Financial Centre, in collaboration with partners, are organising the third edition of the Inclusive FinTech Forum (IFF), to be hosted in Kigali, Rwanda, on 10–12 March 2026 at the Kigali Convention Centre. Following the successful second edition of the Forum held in Kigali in 2025, IFF 2026 anticipates hosting 3,000 delegates from Africa, Asia, Europe, and beyond, featuring world-class speakers, engaging discussions, and a high-level opening ceremony. Learn more.

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Scottish Financial Enterprise: Scottish Financial Enterprise has launched an update to its skills action plan to help prepare the industry for its future skills requirements. The update comes as rapid advances in emerging technologies and a competitive hiring landscape are reshaping the industry and seeks to highlight how best to prepare the workforce for an AI and data led world. Click here for more information.‎


TABF Taiwan Academy Banking Finance News Logo

Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance: Taiwan Financial Policy White Paper 2025 Released with TABF Research Support:

The Taiwan Academy of Banking and Finance (TABF) is proud to have supported the Taiwan Financial Services Roundtable (TFSR) in the release of the 2025 White Paper on Financial Policy Recommendations.
This comprehensive report consolidates the expertise of ten major financial associations, leading institutions, and policy advisors. It presents 51 actionable recommendations across 33 priority issues, offering forward-looking guidance to strengthen Taiwan’s financial ecosystem.
The White Paper addresses key areas including:

  • Enhancing financial risk supervision and institutional resilience
  • Accelerating financial innovation and cybersecurity readiness
  • Promoting sustainable development and silver economy services
  • Supporting the growth of Taiwan’s asset management sector

TABF contributed research and policy input throughout the drafting process, ensuring that the recommendations are grounded in both practical industry insights and national priorities. The White Paper was developed in close coordination with Taiwan’s Financial Supervisory Commission, Ministry of Finance, and Central Bank, and reflects a unified vision for financial sector progress.
The full report (in Traditional Chinese) is available via TFSR. Read more via TABF's LinkedIn.

AIFC Astana NewsLogo

Astana International Financial Centre: Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) presented the analytical review “Kazakhstan as a minerals investment hub: Unlocking potential through the AIFC”. Kazakhstan is home to vast reserves of critical and industrial minerals that are increasingly vital to the global economy. From copper and uranium to rare earth elements, the country’s mineral wealth - combined with its strategic geography - offers significant opportunities for investors seeking long-term, sustainable returns. The report explores a vision of Kazakhstan as a minerals investment hub, positioning the country not only as resource-rich, but as a competitive player in the global energy transition. It provides an in-depth analysis of Kazakhstan’s mining sector, outlining key trends, investment prospects, and comparative advantages, while also highlighting structural challenges, including infrastructure, ESG, and capital market access. For more details please see the report.

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Dubai International Finance Centre: DIFC has published its third Future of Finance report, titled “Emerging Technologies and Finance: AI’s transformative impact on finance and innovation”. Produced in partnership with Asia House, the report explores how AI, blockchain, cloud computing and digital solutions are driving innovation, operational and cost efficiencies, financial inclusion, and sustainable growth for the global financial services industry. Informed by network-based research and candid discussions with industry leaders, this report uncovers how artificial intelligence and emerging technologies are rewriting the playbook for the global financial services industry. Download your copy here.

FSC Mauritius News Logo

Financial Services Commission Mauritius: FSC Mauritius Issues Guidance on Responsible Use of AI in Financial Services: The Financial Services Commission (FSC), Mauritius has issued Guidance Notes on the Responsible Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Financial Services to promote ethical and transparent AI adoption across the non-banking financial services sector. The Guidance outlines nine principles covering fairness, accountability, transparency, and data protection, encouraging licensees to embed sound AI governance aligned with their business scale and complexity. Reinforcing its forward-looking regulatory stance, the FSC Mauritius aims to foster innovation while ensuring sound governance and safeguarding consumer trust. The FSC Mauritius will continue to monitor global AI developments and update its framework to balance technological progress with prudent supervision.

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Bridgeworks: Technology Innovation of the Year: Bridgeworks Wins National Recognition:

Lymington-based WAN Acceleration company, Bridgeworks, has achieved national recognition at Computing’s UK IT Industry Awards, which are supported annually by the BCS – The Chartered Institute for IT. After successively winning a number of other awards over the last decade, it won the Technology Innovation of the Year Award on 12th November 2025 for its technology, which mitigates the effects of latency and packet loss to maximise the bandwidth utilisation of Wide Area Networks up to 98%, and to accelerate encrypted data transfers. Read more about the award: Link 1 & Link 2. Read the full publication here.

Northeastern University London NUL NewsLogo

Northeastern University London: April 2026 Funded Apprenticeships – Applications Now Open:

Northeastern University London is now accepting employer applications for our funded Level 5 and Level 6 apprenticeship programmes. These apprenticeships offer a practical way to develop technical capability, strengthen leadership skills, and build industry knowledge within your organisation — all while keeping staff fully engaged in their day-to-day roles.

What funded apprenticeships offer employers:

  • A structured route to upskill existing staff or bring in new talent
  • A clear pathway for building future leadership and specialist roles
  • Employees who apply their learning directly to your workplace from day oneThis is an opportunity to make long-term workforce development affordable and aligned with your strategic goals.

To find out more or to discuss your organisation’s needs, book a consultation with our team.

SFL Seoul News Logo

Seoul Fintech Lab: Seoul Financial Hub, managed by the Seoul Metropolitan Government, is currently inviting esteemed overseas financial institutions to join our global financial epicenter in Yeouido, Seoul. Benefit from exclusive office space, expert consultation on market entry, and unparalleled networking opportunities. Stay ahead with insights into the Korean Financial market. For further details about Seoul Financial Hub, click here.

Sponsorship Opportunities

We currently have opportunities available to partner with Z/Yen as a sponsor for our ongoing research into the development of financial centres. If you may be interested in sponsorship of the Global Green Finance Index or Smart Centres Index, please get in touch with Mike Wardle.

Pamphleteers Blog

The Pamphleteers Blog features considered thoughts – somewhere between a knee-jerk editorial and a full-blown piece of research.

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Made Me Think
Gill Ringland & Patricia Lustig:

Who Pays For IT Outages?

Of Great Interest
Gill Ringland & Patricia Lustig:

AI and the Future of Work Part 3

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Membership & Sponsorship FS Club is the premier global executive knowledge network for technology and finance professionals. Great events, research, and social functions build a buzz for Members and a valuable partnership for Sponsors. Membership of the FS Club is a great way to enhance your professional development, grow your network and profile, and get backing for your ideas, contact: sasha_davis@zyen.com