New FinTech Australia chief Brad Kitschke wants to replicate Uber’s success in the fintech world

FinTech Australia’s new chief executive, Brad Kitschke, is an ex-Uber exec with big plans to replicate the car-sharing giant’s success for the Australian fintech industry.

Kitschke was head of public policy and government relations at Uber in Australia between November 2014 and May 2017, and in a statement on Thursday, he said “there is no reason why fintech outcomes can’t be the same” as Uber’s. 

“Uber was able to achieve rapid success and market penetration because it delivered better, technology-based solutions and when the opportunity arose we worked closely and collaboratively with regulators and policy makers,” he said. 

Kitschke said there is already a “deep dialogue in Australia between fintechs and government” and he intends to grow this in order to grow the country as an “international fintech force”.

The announcement comes shortly after the federal government’s commitment to spend $44.6 million over four years to establish a Consumer Data Right — a move that brings us one step closer to Open Banking. Kitschke called this a “major policy win”.

“I will be ensuring that our members’ voice is heard in the creation of a secure and seamless open banking framework over the next 12 months,” he said. 

In the statement, FinTech Australia chair Stuart Stoyan welcomed Kitschke aboard, saying his “pedigree as a successful public policy leader will be a huge asset for FinTech Australia as we seek to take our industry to the next level”.

Danielle Szetho stepped down from the chief executive position in March, amid plans to work on building collaboration between Australian and Asian fintechs.

Since then, Sarah Worboys has been serving as interim chief executive and Stoyan praised her leadership during this time. 

“Sarah has been an exemplary leader of the FinTech Australia team during a time of transition and change and I wish her well in the next stage of her career,” he said. 

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