On 2 September 2025, UKAI and Chamber UK hosted an AI for Growth Reception in Westminster, gathering policymakers, innovators and regional leaders to discuss the role of the West of England in driving forward national growth through AI and fintech. The event brought together parliamentarians, industry representatives and entrepreneurs, creating a space to highlight the region’s strengths and opportunities for collaboration.
Opening the evening, Baroness Thangam Debbonaire welcomed attendees and reflected on her role with UKAI. She explained that “my role tonight is because I’m an advisor for UK AI, which is one of the things I’ve really enjoyed doing over the last year, is helping this organisation to work out where we’re going as a country, bring people together.” She then introduced the keynote speaker, Darren Jones MP, recently appointed Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister.
Jones emphasised his consistent focus on technology across Government. “Irrespective of my brief here in government, obviously I’m a huge advocate for home for Bristol and the West of England and I’ve always been a huge advocate for technology and innovation and AI in particular.” He encouraged regional organisations to push for visibility in Westminster, pointing out that “other parts of the country… come in and out of London, talk to ministers, put bids together, work with mayors in their region. It’s brilliant that you’re coming together as people to do that for our region.”
Regional Voices
The event also gave a platform to voices from the region. Abraham Mauleon Amieva from AI West described the role of the community in connecting different parts of the ecosystem. He said that “it’s not just about AI, it’s not just about fintech, it’s about our community… we have world class universities like University of Bristol, which was an AI university of the year in 2024.” He emphasised that organisations like AI West and FinTech West “enable communities… to be a cross linker between stakeholders, academia, industry, because that’s where the innovation, growth, the potential not only within technology but also for economic growth is.”
Stuart Harrison, representing FinTech West, spoke about the growth of the fintech sector and the maturity of its network. “FinTech West has been going seven years, got 5,000 people in the community,” he said, noting with some relief that “I’m just very pleased nowadays that the Wild West bandwagon… has been taken over by AI and fintech can just concentrate on being a fintech.” Harrison also raised concerns about AI’s wider societal impact, warning that “I do have some concerns on AI and obviously on the impact on lower paid and areas of poverty and impact on employment… with great power comes great responsibility.”
Looking ahead, Baroness Debbonaire underlined the importance of shaping forthcoming legislation. She reminded the room that “the Government is going to have an AI bill at some point… I think it’s a really important time for us as parliamentarians, whatever our individual views, to know what you need.” She invited direct input from industry, saying “I’d really like you to help me to help you by letting me know… what you think needs to be in the AI Bill, what you think shouldn’t be there.”
Final Thought
The reception demonstrated the West of England’s growing significance in shaping the UK’s AI and fintech future. Darren Jones summarised the importance of ongoing collaboration: “Keep working together, because I know that we’ll create great businesses, great entrepreneurs and founders, reinvestment of capital into the region, great jobs and great outcomes, not just for the West of England, but for the rest of the country.”
