British Accounting and Finance Association Chooses Cardiff for 2027 Annual Conference

7th July 2026, UK: Meet In Wales has announced that the British Accounting and Finance Association (BAFA) will bring its annual conference to Cardiff in 2027 — another strong endorsement of Wales as a compelling destination for global academic and professional gatherings.

The conference will attract leading scholars, researchers and practitioners from across the UK and internationally, reinforcing Wales’s growing reputation as a hub for knowledge exchange, innovation and collaboration.

Securing the event was led by Meet In Wales conference ambassador Professor Qingwei Wang, together with his colleagues, Professor Jill Atkins, Dr Svetlana Mira and Dr Dennis De Widt. Professor Wang is Professor of Finance and Head of Accounting and Finance at Cardiff Business School, Cardiff University. He also leads the Cardiff FinTech Research Group and has spent more than a decade at the university. During his career he has organised or co-organised around 20 UK and international conferences.

Professor Wang said:

“Cardiff combines a strong academic community with excellent conference facilities and a highly accessible location. Cardiff University has high strength in accounting, finance, and FinTech research, making it a great home for the BAFA conference. Cardiff also offers a vibrant cultural scene and a welcoming environment for delegates.”

Ambassadors form a key strategic part of Wales’ promotional plans, with a national ambassador programme as well as a city programme in Cardiff. Meet In Wales aligns its ambassador network with the key priority sectors and Research Excellence Framework which includes Fintech.

The selection of Cardiff reflects the city’s strong academic ecosystem, excellent infrastructure and reputation for delivering high-quality conference experiences. Meet In Wales worked in partnership with Cardiff University and local stakeholders to support the successful bid and its Head of Business Events, Heledd Williams said: “Hosting the BAFA Annual Conference in Cardiff is another powerful example of international academic communities choosing Wales for its expertise, accessibility and warm welcome. Conferences like BAFA not only advance global knowledge exchange but also create lasting connections between international specialists and our research communities.”

Today, the Wales tech sector is worth an estimated £8.5billion to the Welsh economy, with Wales leading the way in FinTech growth by combining rapid job creation with a strong ecosystem of innovators and global brands. FinTechs across the nation are expanding fast, with major employers such as Starling Bank, Sonovate, Delio, Pepper Money, and Wealthify driving sector growth.