Synechron opens Financial Innovation Lab in Amsterdam

Synechron has opened a Financial Innovation Lab (FinLab) in Amsterdam. The new lab in the Netherlands will allow the firm’s clients to test and try new (digital) technologies, while encouraging Synechron’s own consultants to embrace technology-led innovation.

With 8,000+ employees based in 18 offices, Synechron is one of the world's largest and fastest growing consulting and technology service providers specialised in serving the financial services industry. The firm’s newly opened FinLab in Amsterdam is Synechron’s eleventh globally, following the earlier launch of such hubs in the US, UK, Dubai, India, Serbia and France.

The FinLab in Amsterdam is aimed at providing customers in the region – the Netherlands, Belgium and Luxembourg – the opportunity to discover the latest technologies and prototypes in the market, according to Joost Loves, Managing Director of Synechron in the Netherlands. “In today’s fast changing landscape, staying ahead in the area of innovation and technology is imperative to remain competitive. The demand for experiencing emerging technologies is high – providing a place for our customers to see these developments with their own eyes and to advance their digital transformation projects was therefore a logical choice.”

Leading the new Dutch FinLab is Dennis Martens, a Principal Consultant at Synechron. Reiterating what Loves said, Martens highlighted, “We are delighted that we now have a space that meets the growing technological demands of our local customers.” He added that the space is designed for both large organisations such as multinationals and corporates, as well as for start-ups and scale-ups who are still at the very start of the digital journeys. "Our FinLab brings together innovation with digitisation, enabling inspiration, testing through prototyping and co-creation.”

Technologies showcased in the FinLab include artificial intelligence, robotics process automation, data analytics, process digitalisation, machine learning and cognitive automation. Leveraging its space and infrastructure, the hub in Amsterdam will also serve as a location for supporting digital transformation initiatives of clients. “We can facilitate larger groups,” explained Martens. 

The opening of the Amsterdam FinLab follows shortly after Synechron in the Netherlands appointed Jarno Droog, who has been named Director of Technology. He has been tasked with growing the firm’s Technology practice in the region to mirror its Business Consulting practice, which today is much larger thanks to its heritage in the country. Synechron entered the Netherlands in 2013 through the acquisition of Double Effect, which was a management consulting firm for the financial services industry. Five years down the line, “technology is an essential pillar for our growth ambition in the region,” said Loves.

Earlier this year, Loves told Dutch consulting platform Consultancy.nl (a sister site of Consultancy.eu) that Synechron wants to double its workforce in the Netherlands in the coming 3-4 years.