Payments Council announces new head

The Payments Council, the collaborative body for the payments industry, has appointed Maurice Cleaves as interim CEO. He will take up the role on Monday 3rd November 2014.

Maurice has over 30 years of banking experience, having held senior positions in Barclays, Deutsche Bank and JP Morgan.

Gerard Lemos will continue in his role as Executive Chairman of the Payments Council until that time, after which he will revert to his role as Independent Chairman.

The Payments Council will be refocusing later this year in preparation for working with the new Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), which is due to become officially operational in April 2015. 

Maurice Cleaves said: "This is a fabulous opportunity to help shape the future of the payments industry in the UK and I look forward to putting all my energy, experience and knowledge to good use in the role. The UK has shown that when it collaborates effectively it can deliver services for consumers that are the envy of the world. I look forward to building on this success to help guide the payments industry through the transition to a new regulatory environment.”