It is with regret that we announce the withdrawal of our nominees, Mat Peck (CTO) and Marta Przybylska, from the UK FinTech Awards 2025.
March 25, 2025
News
Date: 25 March 2025.
It is with regret that we announce the withdrawal of our nominees, Mat Peck (CTO) and Marta Przybylska, from the UK FinTech Awards 2025.
Both Mat and Marta are exceptional talents who have made significant contributions to Monavate and the wider fintech industry. Their nominations for Innovator of the Year and Rising Star of the Year, respectively, are thoroughly deserved, and we're immensely proud of their achievements.
However, we cannot in good conscience participate in an awards program that has nominated Manigo as a contender for Fintech Partner of the Year. In September 2024, Manigo abruptly ceased operations without warning, abandoning nearly 20,000 customers and leaving them without access to their funds. This wasn't merely a business failure – it was a profound breach of trust that affected real people: vulnerable elderly individuals, families on holiday left stranded abroad, and countless others who were left without support or communication.
As the regulated card issuer, Monavate stepped in to safeguard and return these funds – a complex process that has required extraordinary resources and continues to this day. Our nominees, Mat and Marta, have dedicated significant portions of their recent work to ensuring these affected cardholders receive their funds promptly and securely.
We understand there have been changes to the corporate structure behind the Manigo brand, but this does not erase the sour taste that the name still brings to tens of thousands of consumers – and to our team at Monavate who have worked tirelessly to clean up the aftermath. Our intention with this withdrawal is solely to defend the interests of consumers. This is not about creating controversy or seeking attention – it is about taking a principled stand for the same people we've been protecting throughout this entire process. This is not about awards or nominations – this is about people and principles. No award or recognition can change our values or our commitment to doing what's right.
If our position comes as an offense to Manigo, we welcome them to engage with us again. We would gladly discuss how we can work together to resolve the concerns and pains of the thousands of consumers they left in the lurch. The door remains open for constructive dialogue that prioritizes making things right for those who have been affected.
Whilst we appreciate the UK FinTech Awards' review of our concerns, we feel that their decision to maintain Manigo's nomination despite its recent track record fundamentally conflicts with our values as a regulated financial institution committed to consumer protection.
We remain dedicated to celebrating excellence in fintech, but only when such celebrations align with the principles we hold dear. We wish all other nominees the very best and look forward to recognizing industry excellence in forums that prioritize the same values we do.
Sincerely,
Michael Rolph,
CEO of Monavate
