The former Payment Association COO will lead the trade body’s push into international markets as it seeks to expand its regulatory influence, industry partnerships and cross-border payments network beyond the UK.
The Payments Association named Emma Banymandhub as its new CEO today (13 May) as it looks to strengthen its position as a global voice within the payments industry.
Banymandhub previously served as the association’s COO, during which time the organisation tripled its headcount and expanded PAY360 into the UK’s largest payments-focused event.
Announcing the promotion, the association said Banymandhub had received unanimous backing from the board, which believes she can “supercharge” its next stage of growth.
The appointment follows a strategic investment from global events company Nineteen Group in 2025, aimed at supporting a more aggressive commercial and international expansion strategy.
Tony Craddock, Founder of The Payments Association, described the promotion as a key moment for the organisation’s future direction.
“Emma’s promotion is exactly what our community needs,” Craddock said. “I have every confidence that her appointment marks the start of a more influential, more international and more powerful force for good in the payments industry.”
Who is Emma Banymandhub?
With over 17 years of experience in growing events and building industry communities, Banymandhub specialises in the behind-the-scenes commercial and operational work.
Before becoming CEO, she held senior roles across The Payments Association, including Event and Marketing Director, during a period in which the organisation significantly expanded its events portfolio.
Banymandhub also co-founded Talk Business, a B2B events business focused on connecting technology providers with enterprise buyers through virtual meetings, and has worked as a freelance B2B events consultant advising on event strategy and delivery.
Her mandate is to export the successful UK model, which balances policy influence with commercial events, into international markets.
“Payments is far more than transactions; it is the invisible engine that keeps societies functioning and economies moving,” Banymandhub said. “If the world could not move money for even five minutes, the impact would be felt everywhere. That responsibility creates an extraordinary opportunity for our industry to collaborate, innovate and lead with purpose.”
The Payments Association goes global
While the association has historically focused on influencing the UK’s Department for Business and Trade and the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the new CEO’s priority will be creating a global payments ecosystem.
Banymandhub has already demonstrated her ability to deliver impact on domestic issues while at The Payments Association, having previously helped influence government positions on Authorised Push Payment (APP) fraud reimbursement rules.
However, the challenge now will be replicating that influence in more fragmented international regulatory environments.
The association is expected to increase its engagement with overseas regulators, industry bodies and cross‑border payment networks as it aims to promote consistent rules, interoperability and clearer expectations for members operating internationally.
This includes monitoring emerging regulatory themes, supporting firms entering new markets and ensuring UK‑based companies are competitive as global compliance requirements develop.
According to Banymandhub, success will be measured by more than just membership numbers, stating it will be assessed by the strength of the networks the association builds and the impact those relationships have on improving outcomes across the wider global payments landscape.
