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KPMG LLP Opens New 30,000 Square-Foot Innovation And Technology Center In Chicago

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KPMG LLP announced today the opening of the KPMG Ignition Center – Chicago, the firm’s seventh and largest Center designed to allow the firm’s clients to become better, more competitive and transform. The 30,000 square foot Ignition Center, located on the 68th floor of the Aon Center, brings together the firm’s collective capabilities across signal sensing, design thinking, data & analytics and Artificial Intelligence (AI), strategy, business process and technology.

“With the rate and pace of disruption in the market, KPMG is constantly focused on making strategic, short and long-term investments that address market disruption and support a transformation journey,” said Mike Nolan, KPMG Vice Chair, Innovation & Enterprise Solutions (I&ES). “We are excited to open our seventh and largest Ignition Center. These spaces help us to bring together our capabilities across emerging technologies, strategy and business services in a new way that represents how KPMG is transforming our business and how we help our clients transform.”

The proliferation of emerging technologies like artificial intelligence/cognitive, blockchain, cloud, augmented/virtual reality and platform business models promise greater efficiency and lower costs, but many organizations find it challenging to capitalize on these new technologies. KPMG is able to help businesses navigate the signals of disruption that are impacting their business, establish strategic approaches to evolving their business models, financial models and operating models, and design technology solutions that can support their organizational needs.

KPMG’s 2018 CEO Outlook found that 86 percent of U.S. CEOs consider their companies to be active disruptors. A vast majority see technology as the only significant disruption their business faces. KPMG Ignition Centers enable the firm to anticipate technology advances and monitor the signals of disruption in order to support the modernization of business, including human-centered design thinking and ways of working.

The firm selected Chicago for its newest KPMG Ignition Center in part due to the breadth of industry sectors and businesses located in the Chicagoland area, convenient access to transportation, and access to talent. The firm’s second-largest office, Chicago’s more than 2,500 partners and professionals serve more than 1,000 publically and privately held companies in the Chicago area across audit, tax and advisory.

“Chicago’s ability to attract and retain technology talent is critical to the work we are doing to support enterprise-wide business transformation,” said Linda Imonti, Chicago office managing principal. “Our clients represent a cross-sections of the industries and businesses that are being transformed by emerging technologies, regulatory changes and the changing customer. Having a KPMG Ignition Center in Chicago enables us to not only help solve their complex business problems, but also to attract and retain the new types of talent critical to KPMG’s continued growth.”

“Chicago’s tech scene has grown tremendously over the past several years because of our deep talent pool, global connectivity, world-class infrastructure, affordability and amazing quality of life,” said Mayor Emanuel.  “KPMG’s ongoing commitment to invest in Chicago and foster the next generation of technologists in Chicago will advance our technology ecosystem for many years to come.”

The 30,000 square foot KPMG Ignition Center in Chicago incorporates:

  • Innovation Lab: KPMG Innovation Labs detect and interpret signals of change, from an outside-in perspective. Using proprietary research and tools, customer insights, and robust analysis capabilities, KPMG applies design thinking for business model innovation, enabling our clients to synthesize new outlooks and translate complex signals into actions.
  • Insights Center: A state-of-the-art facility to showcase the art of the possible using data & analytics and artificial intelligence (AI). Companies can engage in real-time data exploration and scenario testing, and prototype development for big data systems, data visualization, machine learning, predictive analytics, and optimization. In addition to Chicago, KPMG Insights Centers are located in New York, Frankfurt, Hong Kong, London, Paris and Sydney.
  • Technology Solutions collaborates with leading technology firms to drive transformational outcomes through innovation. The integrated teams of data scientists, developers, engineers, technologists and business specialists support a vast array of enabling solutions including cyber security, Tax transformation and technology, robotics and process automation, data and analytics, HR and business transformation, and cloud-based human capital management and financials.
  • Green Room: A prototyping “Garage” space. It currently houses a “retail branch of the future,” an immersive demonstration of how Cloud, AI, and Machine Learning are helping retail banks and mortgage lenders to enhance customer service and simplify complex interactions.
  • A Briefing Center with a 13-person “Harkness-style” table for strategy and planning.
  • The Living Room: A mindful space with natural finishes, a living wall and executive dining area for person-to-person interaction and executive dining.

KPMG Ignition Centers are located in Atlanta, Denver, Grand Rapids, New York City – midtown and downtown, and San Francisco. KPMG will open its next Ignition Center at the KPMG Lakehouse in Lake Nona, FL in 2020.

 

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SOURCE KPMG LLP

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ISX Financial® Launches New Globally Accepted flykk® Debit Card in Working with Diners Club International®

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January 14, 2025

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NICOSIA, Cyprus, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — flykk®, the pan-European and UK digital payment app, announces the launch of its new flykk® Diners Club International® debit card in several priority markets. This offering combines the best of both worlds: the convenience and security of a globally accepted debit card with all the robust benefits Diners Club International® offers.

With the new flykk® Diners Club International® Card, users can enjoy a range of exclusive Diners Club benefits, including access to more than 1,500 airport lounges and experiences around the world, travel insurance, and purchase protection. Additionally, the flykk® Diners Club International® Card also offers a range of other features and benefits that can delight users, including access to millions of amenities and premium Wi-Fi hotspots.

Key features of the flykk® app, which flykk® Diners Club cardholders can access, include bank transfers, free flykk-to-flykk transfers, dedicated money remittance channels and global money transfers. Users can easily transfer money between their flykk® account and European Union (EU) bank accounts, as well as between other flykk® users.

“Launching this partnership with Diners Club International® is a significant milestone for ISX Financial,” said Nikogiannis Karantzis, CEO of ISX Financial. “By combining the innovative flykk® payment app with the benefits of the Diners Club International® Card, we strive to offer users an unparalleled payment experience both online and in-store. With the flykk® Diners Club International® Card, users can enjoy all the convenience and security of a debit card, together with a range of other features and benefits that support their lifestyle.”

Diners Club is accepted at millions of merchant locations and over 1.2 million ATM and cash access locations around the world. Diners Club is part of the Discover® Global Network, the fastest growing global payments network[1]. Comprised of Diners Club International®, Discover Network, PULSE®, and more than 25 alliance partner networks across the globe, Discover Network has 345 million Discover Global Network Cardholders worldwide[2] and facilitated $589B+ in global transactions in 2023.

The flykk® debit card is now available to users in selected markets in the EU, with plans to expand to additional markets in the coming months. To learn more about flykk® and its innovative payment solutions, visit the flykk® website at www.flykk.it. 

“By combining our world-class benefits, services, and capabilities with flykk’s comprehensive payment technology, we’re able to offer users a more seamless payment experience,” said Matt Sloan, Vice President of International Markets, EMEA at Discover® Global Network. “We look forward to continuing to work closely with the team at ISX Financial to bring even more innovative payment solutions to users around the world.”

About ISX Financial:

ISX Financial EU PLC is a ‘banktech’ company that leverages its own technology to provide financial services to merchants across the EEA & UK.  The company’s combined payments stack and infrastructure provides a complete end-to-end transactional banking, FX, remittance and payment processing capability. 

ISXMoney’s multi-Currency IBAN accounts coupled with PaidBy® instant open banking provides merchants with a tailored payment solution to reach any UK or EEA bank account holders.

ISX Financial’s consumer product flykk®, is a digital wallet that combines all its financial technology and infrastructure to create a retail product. flykk® is a two-sided network developed on ISX’ Financial’s own platform that links both merchants and consumers around the globe to facilitate the processing of payment transactions. flykk® allows customers to use their account for both purchase and paying for goods, as well as to transfer and withdraw funds, with the benefits of a Diners card for point-of-sale transactions.

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ISX Financial’s subsidiary Probanx® also develops payment infrastructure for third parties, and provides connectivity to central banks, banks around the world and major card schemes.

[1] Based on signed network alliance agreements over the past fourteen years with major payment networks within respective countries – Panoramic Research study, conducted 2022
[2] Based on data provided to Discover by Network Alliances participants and other third party sources as of December 31, 2023.

Media enquiries: +35722015740, [email protected] 

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Investindustrial expands its presence to Abu Dhabi, set to become the firm’s Middle East and Asia hub

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January 14, 2025

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ABU DHABI, UAE, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Investindustrial is pleased to announce the formal inauguration of its Abu Dhabi office. Attended by authorities and senior officials, this milestone marks a pivotal moment in the firm’s journey to expand its global footprint. The Abu Dhabi strategy follows the successful blueprint of Investindustrial’s office in Shanghai, which has been an accretive business development and value creation office for the firm since 2009. The Abu Dhabi office opened with a team of eight professionals, becoming the Middle East and Asia hub for the group’s activities.

As a leading European investment group with over €15 billion in raised fund capital, Investindustrial is proud to announce that it has received the Financial Services Permission (“FSP”) from the Financial Services Regulatory Authority (“FSRA”) of ADGM. The newly granted licence will enable Investindustrial to provide financial services, including advisory, fundraising, marketing, and arranging, within or from the ADGM.

Andrea C. Bonomi, Chairman of Investindustrial, stated, “At the heart of Investindustrial’s approach is the goal of pursuing a sustainable, industrially-driven strategy to build better global companies for the long-term. Establishing our office in Abu Dhabi underscores our commitment to fostering partnerships in the Middle East and supporting the region’s transformative growth while unlocking these regions for our portfolio companies with significant opportunity to grow. These companies often have the potential to scale, but they require strategic guidance, operational expertise, and a global perspective to reach their full potential.” 

Arvind Ramamurthy, Chief Market Development Officer, ADGM, commented, “We congratulate Investindustrial’s on receiving its FSP. The establishment of its Middle East and Asia hub in ADGM reflects the strength of our business environment and our ability to support global investment groups in achieving their growth ambitions. This milestone reinforces ADGM’s position as a leading financial hub and its commitment to unlocking opportunities across the region.”

The Middle East and Asia expansion is led by Emanuela Cisini (Partner, Co-Head of Operational Improvement), who relocated from London to Abu Dhabi. Emanuela has been with the firm for close to a decade, having led various teams across several Investindustrial offices. Under her leadership, the firm aims to grow its human capital in the Middle East, focusing on building on-the-ground operational capabilities that will contribute to the value creation across Investindustrial’s portfolio companies by increasing footprint, enhancing manufacturing capabilities, and bringing high-growth companies to the Middle East.

Emanuela Cisini, Head of Middle East and Asia, commented: “We are excited about this new chapter. Leveraging on Investindustrial’s global operational improvement expertise we take a hands-on approach in guiding our companies through the international expansion in the Gulf region building global leaders.”

The opening of the Abu Dhabi office underscores a commitment to the region’s economic objectives and sustainable growth. Investindustrial has a strong track record across sectors, with deep expertise in industrial manufacturing and sub-sectors such as food security, a critical area for the GCC. By supporting innovation and investment in sectors like specialty ingredients, frozen desserts, and private-label products, Investindustrial’s efforts are aligned with regional priorities of helping foster growth.

Additionally, Investindustrial’s portfolio companies in the consumer space – such as Zegna Group, Eataly, Flos, and B&B Italia – are already active in the region, and the new office in Abu Dhabi, will allow these companies to tap into greater regional opportunities and enhance their operational capabilities.

In addition to operational improvement capabilities, senior investment professionals have also relocated to Abu Dhabi to actively engage with local entrepreneurs and drive investments and growth for portfolio companies in the region. The team will work in close collaboration with the firm’s global offices, reinforcing Investindustrial’s commitment to becoming a truly global player in the mid-market investment space.

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Vantage Markets Wins “Best Range of Markets” Award from Compare Forex Brokers 2025

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January 14, 2025

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PORT VILA, Vanuatu, Jan. 14, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Vantage Markets has been honored with “Best Range of Markets” award for 2025 by Compare Forex Brokers, a leading authority in evaluating trading platforms. This accolade reflects Vantage’s commitment to offering an unparalleled range of tradable instruments, leverage options and suitability for diverse trading strategies while maintaining transparency, trust, and innovation.

Justin Grossbard, CEO and Head of Research at Compare Forex Brokers, commended Vantage for setting industry benchmarks, “Your commitment to providing a seamless trading experience, supported by innovative technology and a customer-focused approach, is truly commendable. Trust is at the heart of our industry, and Vantage Markets has continually set the benchmark for integrity and professionalism.”

The recognition celebrates Vantage’s dedication to offering a wide array of CFD markets, empowering traders with flexibility and choice.  This includes forex, commodities, indices, shares, ETFs, and bonds CFDs, ensuring clients have access to diverse trading opportunities supported by cutting-edge tools and a robust platform.

Marc Despallieres, Chief Strategy & Trading Officer at Vantage, expressed gratitude for the award, “Winning the ‘Best Range of Markets’ award from Compare Forex Brokers is a proud moment for us. It underscores our dedication to delivering exceptional trading experiences through innovation and trust. This achievement reflects the hard work of our team and the trust our clients place in us. We remain committed to pushing boundaries and providing our global community with unparalleled opportunities.”

As Vantage continues to evolve, the company is focused on maintaining its position as a leader in the trading industry by expanding its offerings, advancing technology, and fostering transparency.

For more information about Vantage Markets and its award-winning services, visit Vantage Markets.

About Vantage

Vantage Markets (or Vantage) is a multi-asset CFD broker offering clients access to a nimble and powerful service for trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs) products, including Forex, Commodities, Indices, Shares, ETFs, and Bonds.

With over 15 years of market experience, Vantage transcends the role of broker, providing a trusted trading ecosystem, an award-winning mobile trading app, and a user-friendly trading platform that empowers clients to seize trading opportunities. Download the Vantage App on App Store or Google Play.

trade smarter @vantage

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RISK WARNING: CFD trading carries significant risks. You could lose more than your initial investment.

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