Payment Expert’s ID Check: Payments Professionals offers insight from industry leaders and experts on how they got their start in the financial industry, from their early years in education, to how they have been able to climb the corporate ladder.
This week, Mike Peplow, Chief Operating Officer at Paysecure, explains why he is still a student at heart – always learning. He also reveals the industry shift from cheques from electronic payments and how he manoeuvred through this in real-time.
Where did you go to university and what did you study? What impact did this have on your current journey?
First Degree Aeronautical Engineering, Second Degree MBA Manchester Business School.
It taught me to be constantly curious and studious, something that has stayed with me throughout my career. This was imparted from great friends and tutors. You are the sum of the people you spend your time with and I was lucky enough to be surrounded by some fantastic people.
What first drew you to the payments industry and why have you stayed?
The payments and financial services industries were one of the earliest and most innovative adopters of technology. This has continued and today we see these industries taking a lead in the use of AI, digital commerce and cloud-based computing.
Are there any lessons from your first role in the industry which you still draw on?
Keep learning, everything is changing all of the time. Equip yourself with the tools and attitude to keep learning and be prepared to take some risks in your career. I am still a student and thrive to keep learning each and every day.
When was your first big break in the industry? Why was this such a significant moment for you?
Being appointed the General Manager of a large banking solutions provider which taught me that enabling payments is about technology, business is about people. If you want to innovate in payments, you need the trust and commitment of your partners and customers. This role taught me this and has underpinned my career since.
Was there a moment you faced in the industry which really challenged you? How did you overcome this?
A major revenue stream of the business was based upon providing cheque processing which was quickly being replaced with electronic payments. This caused core revenues to fall quickly, reducing the company’s ability to fund investment.
We moved the commercial model from software sales to outsourcing (operations and technology). By cannibalising our maintenance revenues, we were able to build the skills and resources to run an outsourcing business. Over time, we were able to extend the scope of the services to include back office tasks increasing revenues and capabilities.
What are some of the skills you deem essential to starting in your industry and how have yours developed over the years?
Strong analytical capability, ability to communicate and present ideas in a way the audience can understand and support, tenacity – keep going, never give up. But most importantly, deliver on your promises, both big & small!
Who was your biggest role model – inside or outside of your industry – who continues to inspire you in your current career?
My friend and mentor Colin Jarman. He’s a great leader, fun to be around, and a great business friend. Today, I am inspired by the energy and risk taking of the next generation of payment professionals. I love to be challenged with new ways of thinking and new approaches to solve “old” problems.
If you didn’t work in the industry, what other career option would you have pursued or would have loved to.
Even today, I would jump at the opportunity to go back to college to study history, particularly modern history. What we see today is always a result of the past so trying to make sense of the world requires one to understand the past.
Lastly, what is some advice you would give to an aspiring person looking to get a start in your respective industry?
The intersection of technology and payments is a great place to witness innovation in action. Get involved, think the unthinkable and back yourself if you find a great idea!
Don’t forget to register for Payment Expert’s 2026 Digital Day, in partnership with Paysecure, happening on April 15.
