Harrison has been awarded £1,000 to support his academic journey and will also gain valuable industry experience with local fintech leader Seopa.

Harrison’s success is a testament to the calibre of students nurtured at Queen’s Business School. Having completed his undergraduate degree with distinction, he now plans to pursue a master’s in Artificial Intelligence—an area he believes will shape the future of fintech through innovations in automation, algorithmic trading, and risk assessment.

Alan Hanna, Reader in Finance at Queen’s Business School, commented:

“We are delighted to see Harrison’s talent and ambition recognised through this prestigious scholarship. His achievement reflects the strength of our Finance programme and the drive of our students to lead in emerging sectors like fintech. We look forward to seeing the impact Harrison will make as he continues his academic and professional journey.”

The CompareNI.com Fintech Scholarship, now in its fifth year, supports students financially while offering hands-on experience in Northern Ireland’s dynamic fintech sector. In his winning submission, Harrison highlighted the financial pressures faced by students and the importance of initiatives that ease this burden.

“Many students are forced to compromise on their learning due to the cost of living,” Harrison wrote. “Scholarships like this not only provide financial relief but also open doors to real-world experience that is crucial for career development,” he added.

Queen’s Business School is committed to preparing students for the evolving demands of the global financial landscape. With Northern Ireland emerging as a fintech hub, our graduates are well-positioned to thrive in a sector known for innovation, competitive salaries, and rapid growth.

We extend our sincere thanks to CompareNI.com and Seopa for their continued support of student development and for recognising the potential of Queen’s students. Their partnership helps bridge the gap between academic excellence and industry opportunity.

Commenting on the winning entry, Ian Wilson, Managing Director at CompareNI.com, said: “Congratulations to this year’s Fintech Scholarship winner, Harrison Lea from Queen’s University Belfast. Through projects such as this, we want to help students realise their potential and shine a light on the opportunities available for graduates in this rapidly growing industry.”