This week, at the landmark event “AI for Growth: Unlocking Regional Innovation in AI and FinTech”— chaired by Tim Flagg, CEO of UKAI — Darren Jones MP, the new Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, delivered his maiden speech, highlighting the UK's growing strength in fintech and AI. In front of an audience of founders, investors, policymakers, and regional innovators, he reinforced Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s commitment to positioning the UK as a global tech powerhouse.
I’ve always been a huge advocate for technology and innovation and AI in particular — areas of work that I’ve worked on the whole time I’ve been elected to Parliament. said Jones during his address, setting a strong tone for how this government plans to support digital innovation.
A number of attendees shared compelling insights. Voices from regional tech clusters emphasised the economic and productivity gains unlocked by AI and fintech, while live case studies and demos illustrated how regions like the West of England are leading the charge in sectors like healthtech, advanced manufacturing, and of course—fintech.
I was honoured to be there—especially when Acting Office was singled out as part of that wave of innovation. Standing alongside such visionary leaders reaffirmed what we’ve known since 2018: that meaningful, accountant-centric automation built right here in the UK matters. And now, the momentum is real.
Read the full Financial Times coverage here
[https://www.ftadviser.com/uk-government/2025/9/3/chief-secretary-to-pm-praises-uk-fintech/]
We've been building automation-first tools for accountants since 2018—not because it was trendy, but because we knew this was where the industry was heading. Seeing that belief echoed at the highest levels of government is more than validating—it’s energising.
The Chief Secretary’s praise, and the Prime Minister’s stated support for the fintech industry, reinforce something we’ve always believed: innovation should empower people—not replace them.
Born Cloud, Built for Accountants, Not Just
Technologists
What sets us apart is focus. We don’t build generic software—we build with a deep understanding of how accountants work and where time is lost. Our tools are already helping UK firms save hours each week, driving up to 40% efficiency gains:
- AccaBot – AI Assistant: Automates classification, reconciliation, and statement finalisation—turning hours of manual work into minutes.
- Decision Trees – Built-In Expertise: Simplifies complex scenarios, reduces errors, and supports consistent, high-quality decisions.
- Tax Bot – Real-Time Updates: Cuts through the noise with only the most relevant HMRC alerts, delivered when they’re needed.
Why This Week’s Recognition Matters
When the UK government calls out AI and fintech as national priorities, it validates everything we’ve been building. It’s also a reminder that innovation isn’t about flashy demos—it’s about real tools that save time, reduce stress, and elevate the professionals using them.
The UK is becoming a world leader in fintech not because of marketing—but because of meaningful progress happening behind the scenes. And I’m proud that Acting Office is a part of that.
Looking Ahead
We’ll keep doing what we’ve always done:
- Automate where it matters most
- Use AI to enhance, not replace
- Build for accountants, not just engineers
If you’re an accounting firm that wants to work smarter—not harder—we’re ready to help you lead.
We’ve been backing UK innovation from day one. It’s exciting to see the country catching up to that belief.
