In memory of Nick Hastings

In November 2020 our friend and colleague, Nick Hastings lost his two year struggle with cancer.

Nick’s funeral took place just before Christmas, his family told us it was very sad but also beautiful. Because of the current restrictions, there were limits to who could be present or recognize their friendship with Nick.

Since the news of Nick’s passing was shared, we have had many messages from Nick’s friends and colleagues in the industry wanting to share their memories and express support. With that in mind we created a justgiving page with contributions to Nick’s favourite charity.

Having worked at Finextra Research for twenty years, Nick was synonymous with our business and our commitment to all things financial technology. During these years he invested his huge energy, ideas and enthusiasm to communicate and promote the latest innovations in financial technology.

Nick believed that new technology could be applied to create better financial services, to benefit both banks and their customers. In recent years he had the satisfaction of seeing that potential begin to flourish.

Needless to say, across these years Nick helped to steer Finextra from an obscure and niche corner of the internet, into one that has over five million enthusiastic and engaged visitors each year.

A friendly and positive presence in any group, Nick brought a great attitude to every new challenge, galvanising our team and clients that every goal could be achieved. Naturally convivial and always gregarious, he was an obvious and welcoming beacon of friendliness to search out anywhere on the fintech conference circuit. Whether at EBAday, Sibos or any of the major conferences, Nick was always a magnet for banking and payments professionals wanting to share experiences and industry news.

It turns out Nick’s favourite charity was the Royal National Lifeboat Institute (RNLI). I didn’t know why Nick felt the connection to the RNLI but speculated it was because they provide that same reassurance and confidence that Nick himself shared with all of his colleagues, customers and friends.

Nick’s brother Simon explained the reasons: "Nick loved his boat in Salcombe, it was his pride and joy and was at his happiest on the water. His interest in the RNLI started many years ago, we used to rent a house on the water that was next to the launching area for the lifeboats. When the alarm was raised it really was the most incredible sight to behold, I remember Nick was always spellbound as the boats charged out of the estuary towards the open sea. Thankfully in all our years of boating we never had need for them!"

If you follow the link here you can remember Nick with a contribution to his favourite cause.

Thank you, it is much appreciated.

Note: We have created this page away from the busy fintech news stream on the site but we will share the link to Nick's friends in the industry. If you wish to share it further, please do. If you wish to leave a memory or a comment, please do.

Steve, Paul and the team at Finextra Research