Fintech pioneer Nick Hungerford dies

Nick Hungerford, the 43-year-old co-founder of Nutmeg has died. 

Hungerford, who had terminal bone cancer, co-founded digital wealth manager Nutmeg in 2011.

The business was the first in the UK to bring the concept of digital wealth management - or robo-advice - to the market. Not only did this pioneering disruptive approach to financial services, which we now called fintech, usher in dozens of competing companies but also help seed the UK as the global hub for fintech. 

The acquisition of Nutmeg by JP Morgan in 2021 for £700m also proved the long term potential value created by fintech entrepreneurs who at the time of Nutmeg’s launch was met with scepticism of its likely longevity. 

“It is with great sadness that we confirm today that Nick Hungerford, Nutmeg co-founder and one of Britain’s most successful fintech entrepreneurs, has passed away at the age of 43. Nick was passionate about helping to empower people to achieve their full potential – through Nutmeg, he hoped to democratise wealth management and start a journey that would change the retail investment sector in the UK. It is a mission we all aim to deliver every day,” said Nutmeg’s Kat Mann. 

“On behalf of all Nutmeg colleagues, past and present, we are incredibly proud of the journey Nick started, everything achieved so far and the opportunity we have to continue to help people manage their money in the future,” she added.  

Nick’s passion to help empower people to achieve their full potential has also been realised through the charity he and his wife established following his terminal cancer diagnosis. 

Elizabeth’s Smile provides practical resources for children who lose a parent, initially in the UK and US. If you would like to support the work they are doing, you can find more information by searching Elizabeth’s Smile or going towww.elizabeth.org   

A more detailed obiturary from Nick’s family can be read here.