Nium’s new EU headquarters opens in UK

Nium, the Singapore-based real-time payments innovator, has unveiled its latest strategic move in the international financial landscape with the inauguration of its European headquarters in the heart of London. This expansion underscores Nium’s unwavering commitment to Europe, particularly the United Kingdom, where it has maintained a presence for several years. The fintech disruptor, renowned for its transformative approach to global money transfers, currently boasts two additional European offices in Amsterdam and Malta, along with localised operations in Germany, France, and Israel.

Over the past three years, Nium has made substantial investments in its European operations, encompassing mergers and acquisitions, talent acquisition, and relentless product innovation. In 2021, the firm solidified its standing with the acquisition of travel payments specialist Ixaris. More recently, Nium bolstered its European leadership by welcoming Manuel Sandhofer, former Senior Vice President at Payoneer, as General Manager to oversee and expand its regional operations. The establishment of the new London office is strategically positioned to cater to the growing needs of Nium’s European clientele, driven by a robust market presence and increasing demand for the company’s cutting-edge services.

Speaking at the Money20/20 Europe event in Amsterdam, Sandhofer underscored the significance of optimising operational efficiencies in today’s economic landscape, especially for small-and-medium-sized businesses. He emphasised, “We are serving enterprises, the businesses that are helping small-and-medium-sized businesses to get access to financial systems. If you look at the past, you will see those smaller businesses didn’t have any access to competitive pricing or fast payouts because the legacy payment infrastructure was not providing that. There is now a whole industry helping those businesses, and Nium is helping with the infrastructure to enable those businesses to overcome those challenges.”

Manuel Sandhofer joined Nium in June, adding further depth to the company’s executive talent pool. His previous role as Senior Vice President for Sales and Partnerships at Payoneer, one of Nium’s valued clients, aligns seamlessly with Nium’s strategic approach to mergers and acquisitions. Notably, Sandhofer co-founded payment orchestration platform optile, which was acquired by Payoneer in December 2019.

Commenting on the opening of Nium’s London office, Sandhofer remarked, “Nium has been present in the UK for several years now. With the support of local regulators, industry bodies, and our talented team members, we have built a strong foundation of products, customers, and licenses. Our new regional headquarters represents our commitment to the UK as the cornerstone of Nium’s long-term growth plans in Europe.”

Prajit Nanu, Founder and CEO of Nium, articulated the significance of London as a pivotal hub for the company’s European operations, stating, “London is our home away from home. Establishing our European headquarters within [London’s] Square Mile gives Nium invaluable access to a thriving financial services ecosystem that we want to help support and scale. After experiencing growth across APAC and the US, Europe is now our fastest-growing market. This means we are well-positioned to help businesses here unlock opportunities beyond borders, especially those with a focus on emerging markets.”

Charlotte Crosswell, Chair of the Centre for Finance, Innovation, and Technology, extended a warm welcome to Nium, affirming London’s enduring allure as a global hub for fintech innovation. She noted, “Despite a challenging time for fintech firms, the UK continues to be an attractive location for global businesses looking to drive growth, draw talent, and foster collaboration. Nium’s decision to establish its European headquarters in London will have a significant impact on the UK remaining a global leader for financial innovation, and we look forward to supporting the company in the next phase of its journey.”

Nium’s strategic expansion into London reinforces its position as a formidable player in the fintech arena and positions the company to capitalise on Europe’s burgeoning financial landscape.