Ben Agnew, who has led The Payments Association since 2020 through a period of strong membership and revenue growth, is stepping down as chief executive. This transition follows new investment secured by the association from Nineteen Group last year.
- Ben Agnew led The Payments Association since 2020 with growth in membership and revenue.
- 2025 saw a new investment from Nineteen Group supporting expansion plans.
- The association is positioned for international growth under new leadership.
Market signal
The upcoming CEO transition at The Payments Association signals a key moment for the UK payments sector’s representative body amid notable progress. Since 2020, the association expanded its membership and revenue, indicating strengthening industry engagement and market relevance.
The timing of the leadership change, following a strategic investment from Nineteen Group, suggests a pivot towards scaling activities beyond the UK, embracing international opportunities. This implies increasing confidence in the payments market’s growth trajectory and a shift towards global outreach.
Operator impact
Payment service providers and operators relying on The Payments Association for industry advocacy and networking may experience shifts in strategic priorities with new leadership. The outgoing CEO’s tenure was marked by building a robust platform and strong industry partnerships, setting a foundation for future initiatives.
Operators should monitor how the association’s next CEO shapes policy support, member services, and collaborative efforts. Continued momentum and potential international focus could open new avenues for market participants to engage in cross-border payments innovation and regulation discussions.
What to watch next
The appointment and profile of the new CEO will be critical in defining The Payments Association's direction, particularly regarding its ambitions for international expansion and deepening industry influence. Stakeholders will be observing how the leadership transition manages continuity versus new strategic emphasis.
Further announcements about partnerships, member programs, and regulatory involvement will indicate how the association leverages recent investment. Additionally, the extent to which it supports emerging payment technologies and cross-border collaboration will shape its role as a key industry enabler.