
Leaders In Payments
Hear directly from C-level executives in payments/fintech about industry trends, successful strategies, products, services, and what the future holds for the payments/fintech industry. We cover the entire industry from merchant acquiring, payment processing, ISOs, payfacs, fraud, security, issuing, b2b, fintech, to start-ups, if it goes on in payments we will be talking about it.
Latest episodes

Oct 24, 2024 • 23min
Special Series: The World of Ecommerce: Thriving Online with Chintan Gandhi, Richard Page & Sarah Cummings from Worldpay | Episode 361
Unlock the strategies that make Worldpay a leader in the UK e-commerce scene with insights from our distinguished guests, Chintan, Richard, and Sarah. Discover the art of transforming prospects into loyal customers through innovative payment solutions and a focus on the merchant lifecycle. Chintan reveals the secrets behind WorldPay's go-to-market strategy, emphasizing the power of targeted outreach and consultative sales. Meanwhile, Richard sheds light on how his team empowers small to medium-sized businesses with tailored e-commerce solutions and technical expertise. With Sarah at the helm of customer experience, learn how operational strategies differentiate Worldpay in a competitive industry. Explore how WorldPay's bespoke approach aids SMBs in selecting and implementing the most effective payment solutions. From solution consultation to seamless integration, uncover how Worldpay's implementation team collaborates with businesses to optimize their payment systems. Sarah discusses the unmatched importance of exceptional customer support, featuring a multi-channel approach that includes 24/7 service and an interactive online portal. Learn how WorldPay assists new customers in mastering their portal experience, ensuring they manage their accounts efficiently from day one. This episode is packed with actionable insights to enhance your e-commerce operations and deliver unparalleled customer experiences.

Oct 22, 2024 • 25min
Scarlett Sieber, Chief Strategy & Growth Officer for Money 2020 | Episode 360
Scarlett Sieber, the dynamic Chief Strategy and Growth Officer at Money 2020, takes us through the fascinating transformation of the event from its humble beginnings in Las Vegas to becoming a global powerhouse in the fintech ecosystem. She shares her journey from the scenic landscapes of Durango, Colorado, to the energetic cityscape of New York City, detailing how her diverse experiences have shaped her professional path. Listeners will gain a unique perspective on Money 2020's strategic pivot towards a fintech-centric approach and its role in fostering the complexity and collaboration that define today’s financial services industry. As we prepare for the next Money 2020 event in the US, Scarlett offers an insider's peek into the innovative themes and engaging experiences that await attendees.Beyond the evolution of Money 2020, Scarlett recounts her professional growth, emphasizing the importance of networking and diverse professional experiences, whether through co-founding a startup or advising NASA on cross-industry innovation. She provides practical advice for making the most of fintech conferences, underscoring the importance of strategic preparation and the power of personalized follow-ups. Discover the varied session formats at Money 2020, such as the interactive briefing stage and Off the Record sessions, designed to cater to all learning levels and promote community building. Whether you're new to fintech or a seasoned veteran, this conversation offers valuable insights and inspiration on navigating the future of financial technology.

Oct 17, 2024 • 25min
Special Series: The World of Ecommerce: Thriving Online with Chintan Gandhi & Rob Ward | Episode 359
Unlock the secrets to thriving in the UK's competitive e-commerce landscape with insights from WorldPay's very own Chintan Gandhi and Rob Ward. Join us, along with these industry leaders, as we explore how WorldPay is revolutionizing payment solutions to help merchants face modern challenges head-on. With Chintan's strategic know-how in payments and Rob's unique transition from law to a decade of experience at WorldPay, we promise a comprehensive look at how businesses can enhance their payment processing efficiency. From simplifying onboarding to crafting bespoke checkout experiences, our discussion unravels WorldPay's dedication to offering seamless, digital-first solutions tailored for businesses large and small.Immerse yourself in a conversation about the crucial elements of payment security and management. Discover how WorldPay's 3DS Flex and tokenization can fortify your transactions while maintaining a smooth customer experience. You'll also gain insights into the powerful analytics and real-time data offered by the WorldPay dashboard, all designed to empower merchants with better control and understanding of their sales trends. Whether you're looking to streamline compliance checks or explore alternative payment methods like pay-by-link and pay-by-phone, this episode equips you with actionable strategies to ensure your e-commerce venture not only survives but thrives.

Oct 15, 2024 • 22min
Henry Helgeson, CEO of BlueSnap | Episode 358
In episode 358 of the Leaders in Payments podcast, I interview Henry Helgeson, the recently appointed CEO of BlueSnap. Helgeson shares his journey from founding Merchant Warehouse to leading BlueSnap, a global payment facilitator specializing in B2B payments and payment orchestration. He explains BlueSnap’s focus on providing payment solutions in 47 regions, helping businesses with complex global payment needs. BlueSnap excels in offering local acquiring and reducing cross-border fees, making transactions smoother for businesses with multinational operations. Helgeson also discusses the importance of partnerships with ISVs and ERP systems, highlighting BlueSnap’s ability to cater to mid-market businesses. Looking ahead, he predicts continued growth in card-not-present payments, increased use of AI, and challenges related to fraud as AI tools become more accessible to malicious actors. Helgeson expresses excitement about BlueSnap’s future growth and his decision to come out of retirement to lead the company.

Oct 10, 2024 • 22min
Special Series: The World of Ecommerce: Thriving Online with Chintan Gandhi & Gordon Barclay from Worldpay | Episode 357
Unlock the secrets to safeguarding your e-commerce business from the pitfalls of card-not-present fraud and boost your checkout conversion rates with insights from industry experts Chintan Gandhi, Director of Strategic Planning and Go-To-Market, and Gordon Barclay, Director of Business Development at Worldpay. You'll discover how pervasive fraud can cost small and medium businesses dearly, and why chargebacks are more than just a financial setback—they can cripple your ability to process future payments. Chintan and Gordon share their extensive experience and strategies to mitigate these risks effectively.Struggling with high rates of cart abandonment? You're not alone—54% of digital shoppers leave transactions unfinished due to repeated payment retries. Gordon Barclay explains how Worldpay's innovative solutions, including the integration of Apple Pay and Google Pay, can provide a seamless checkout experience that keeps customers coming back. By adopting a consultative approach, Worldpay aligns merchant needs with current consumer trends, ensuring that businesses remain competitive and customer-centric. Tune in to discover actionable strategies and flexible payment integration solutions designed specifically for small business owners in the UK looking to thrive in the ever-evolving e-commerce landscape.

Oct 8, 2024 • 18min
Shai Gabay, Co-Founder & CEO of Trustmi | Episode 356
Curious about the future of B2B payments and their security? Learn from Shai Gabay, co-founder and CEO of Trustmi, as he unveils his journey from a small town near Tel Aviv to creating a groundbreaking payment security platform in the U.S. Discover how TrustMi is revolutionizing industries like pharmaceuticals, manufacturing, and hospitality by safeguarding $185 billion in transactions and preventing $5 billion in errors and fraud. Gain insights into the evolving landscape of cyber threats and understand the necessity of modern solutions to stay ahead. Shai's experience from military intelligence to entrepreneurship offers a compelling narrative on leveraging technology to tackle complex business issues.This episode is a must-listen for anyone interested in the intersection of technology and finance. Shai Gabay's journey and TrustMi's achievements provide a compelling narrative of innovation, security, and the future of B2B payments. By subscribing and engaging with the podcast, listeners can stay informed about the latest trends and insights shaping the financial landscape.

Oct 2, 2024 • 26min
Sal Rehmetullah, Co-Founder of Worth | Episode 355
What if you could revolutionize the onboarding process for business financial services? Join us in an inspiring conversation with Sal Rehmetullah, co-founder of Worth, as he shares his incredible journey from a Pakistani immigrant in Dallas to a trailblazer in the payments industry. Growing up in a family of serial entrepreneurs, Sal's entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured from a young age. He walks us through his academic pursuits and early career in equity research and consulting, before highlighting the impressive growth of Stacks Payments, which he co-founded with his sister. Discover the inspiration behind Worth and how it’s set to transform the onboarding experience for SMBs by integrating services like bank verification, KYB, and identity verification into a seamless solution.In this episode, we also explore the future of payments and fintech, predicting a shift towards consumer-like experiences for SMBs fueled by digitization and AI. Sal shares his vision for building a legacy in payments, emphasizing diversity and inclusion in lending practices and aiming to create a business credit score system as impactful as FICO. Get a glimpse into Sal’s personal aspirations, from fostering talent to possibly owning an NBA team, underscoring his belief in the unifying power of sports. Don’t miss out on this episode packed with forward-thinking insights and inspirational stories from one of the industry's most dynamic figures.

Sep 26, 2024 • 20min
Special Series: The World of Ecommerce: Thriving Online with Chintan Gandhi & Rob Ward, Worldpay | Episode 354
Ever wondered how small and medium-sized businesses can not just survive but thrive in the complex world of ecommerce? You’re about to find out. Join us as we sit down with Chintan Gandhi and Rob Ward from Worldpay, two industry veterans who share their fascinating career journeys and insights. From Chintan’s move from India to the UK and his deep-rooted experience in payments to Rob’s transition from law to a decade in the payments sector, this episode offers a rich tapestry of personal stories and professional wisdom. Together, they shed light on the dynamic evolution of ecommerce in the UK and how Worldpay’s global expertise can be a game-changer for SMBs looking to make their mark online.COVID-19 has reshaped many industries, and we plunge into its profound impact on the restaurant sector in the US and the UK. Discover how traditional establishments, including countryside pubs, have pivoted to embrace online and curbside services. The conversation dives into the rise of mobile wallets like Apple Pay and Google Pay, now dominating over 50% of UK transactions. We delve into the pressing challenges SMB merchants face, such as fraud, security, cash flow, and conversion rates. Learn how Worldpay’s advanced solutions, including cutting-edge fraud detection and strong customer authentication, are paving the way for merchants to navigate these hurdles effectively. Packed with actionable strategies, this episode is an essential listen for anyone looking to master the ever-evolving ecommerce landscape for SMBs in the UK.

Sep 24, 2024 • 33min
Andrew Bud, Founder & CEO at iProov | Episode 353
Can technology outsmart digital deception? Join us on Leaders in Payments as we welcome Andrew Bud, the visionary founder and CEO of iProov, who is leading the charge in biometric verification and fraud prevention. Andrew takes us through his fascinating journey, from his upbringing in London to his education at the University of Cambridge, and his diverse professional experiences across the UK and Italy. We delve into the mission of iProov, a company that ensures individuals' identities are verified remotely through cutting-edge "liveness" detection. Discover why this technology is crucial in high-stakes scenarios like financial transactions and password resets, and how it serves pivotal sectors such as government, financial institutions, and healthcare.Curious about the intersection of AI and security? Andrew sheds light on the growing threat of deepfakes and how iProov is pioneering innovative solutions to combat these AI-generated frauds. Learn about their unique method of using unpredictable color illumination to differentiate between real faces and deepfake attempts, a fascinating approach that keeps fraudsters at bay. Andrew's love for mountain hiking beautifully parallels his journey in the payments industry, highlighting the importance of passion in one's career. Tune in for his valuable advice for newcomers to the fintech world and hear his heartfelt ambition for future employees at iProov, inspiring them to take pride in their work and continue pushing the boundaries of digital identity verification.

Sep 17, 2024 • 24min
Pedro Batista, CEO, UK for Payhawk | Episode 352
Ever wondered how the fintech world is reshaping global payment and spend management? This episode of Leaders in Payments features Pedro Batista, CEO of Payhawk in the UK, who reveals the journey that took him from Porto, Portugal, through heavyweight fintech companies like CurrencyCloud and Plaid, all the way to his current role. Pedro shares invaluable insights into Payhawk's mission to streamline and automate financial operations for businesses, emphasizing real-time visibility, vertical integration, and fraud detection. Whether your company has frequent travelers, is scaling rapidly, or needs more efficient global spend management, Pedro's expertise will provide a roadmap to enhanced financial efficiency.Discover the innovation disparity between consumer financial technologies and B2B payment systems as we dissect the infrastructure evolution with Pedro. From the potential of blockchain in developing economies to the impact of real-time payment systems like FedNow, this episode offers a comprehensive outlook on the future of payments. Listen as Pedro discusses his passion for leveraging AI to optimize customer service and operational efficiency, along with the importance of adapting to regulatory shifts. We wrap up with Pedro's personal interests in traveling and sports, and his strategic advice for newcomers in the payments industry. Don't miss out on Pedro's vision for Payhawk's future, driven by real-time technology and exceptional customer support.