FIMA Europe 2025
26 - 27 November, 2025
Kia Oval, London
Colin Ware's Story At a Glance
Regulatory SME - Reference Data
Barclays
First Year Attended: 2011
How He’s Participated: Attendee and Speaker
It’s a good opportunity to still keep in the loop with what was going on – and to keep myself known in the industry
I first attended FIMA just before I joined Barclays - when I was actually searching for a job! I knew the event was on, and I think I'd probably just been made redundant, so for me it was a good opportunity to still keep in the loop with what was going on – and to keep myself known in the industry!
It was a hugely important networking opportunity – especially in bumping into people and attending the drinks. It’s a great way to network amongst your peers!
FIMA is the best way to get my knowledge and my understanding of where the financial data industry is going quite quickly
Once I'd attended for the first time, I suppose I had a feel for what was going on – I discovered that FIMA was the best way to get my knowledge and my understanding of where the financial data industry is going quite quickly!
In addition, I find it’s important to keep meeting new vendors. In the last year I've met at least two companies who I'm still working with now (WorkFusion and Datactics) - who I probably wouldn't have come across if I hadn’t met them at FIMA!
I enjoy meetings providers at FIMA as it’s a neutral venue and it feels more comfortable
The advantage is that people get exposure to things they've probably never seen before - exposure to vendors, the industry, and what's going on - and I think if teams don't get this education they can stagnate.
In data management, you tend to work with the same companies all the time. It's refreshing to meet those you are maybe new in the space, or perhaps a smaller company who aren't based in London. You know that they're going to turn up to these type of events and it's a good way for you to meet them relatively quickly and easily.
I do enjoy meeting providers at FIMA as oppose to them calling me up or coming to my office. By meeting in a neutral venue, you’re much more inclined to take an initial look at what they do as it feels more comfortable.
FIMA has had a big impact on my career as it’s allowed me to quickly raise my profile
FIMA has definitely brought me up to speed with the learning curve of where the data management space has gone (especially after being out of data management for a while) and it's allowed me to raise my profile much quicker.
FIMA is bigger and attracts a higher calibre of speakers
Also, there’s a good number of industry subject matter experts and regulators – and it’s not just a long list of vendor sales pitches.
It also has a great mix of formats – with interactive workshops, round tables and panels – no event does this as well as FIMA. My recommendation to someone in the industry, who had never attended FIMA before?
I’d firstly say there’s a tendency for people to be quite passive at events, but in my mind, the more you put in the more you'll get out. I think it’s best not to just rely on the speakers and the panels to just do everything for you!
Try to meet as many people as possible - visit the vendor stands, make new contacts with peers - get engaged and get involved!
"It was a hugely important networking opportunity – especially in bumping into people and attending the drinks. It’s a great way to network amongst your peers!"
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