Pay.UK Bolsters Board with Tech Leaders from Monzo, Equals Group, and Bank of Ireland UK
By Lauren Towner · 16 July 2026
In brief: Pay.UK has appointed Alison Berryman (Bank of Ireland UK), Matthijs Boon (Equals), and Pranay Ahluwalia (Monzo) as Non-Executive Directors to its board to enhance governance and payment infrastructure.
| New Board Size | 14 Directors |
|---|---|
| Effective Date | 2026-07-01 |
| Board Composition | 50/50 Industry and Independent NEDs |

Quick Summary
Pay.UK has appointed three new Non-Executive Directors from Monzo, Equals Group, and Bank of Ireland UK to its board. These strategic board appointments aim to enhance the UK's retail payment systems by integrating deep fintech expertise and operational leadership to drive the next generation of payment infrastructure.
How do these board appointments strengthen UK retail payment systems?
The addition of strategic board appointments from high-growth fintechs like Monzo and Equals Group ensures that Pay.UK remains at the forefront of digital money innovation. By bringing in leaders with 25 years experience in operational resilience and global payment rails, the organization can better navigate the complexities of modernizing interbank systems. These directors provide a critical bridge between established banking protocols and the agile requirements of the modern fintech ecosystem.
- Alison Berryman brings expertise in fraud prevention and digital transformation.
- Matthijs Boon offers deep insights into international banking partnerships.
- Pranay Ahluwalia provides technical leadership in building global payment rails.
What is the impact of the new 50/50 board structure?
Following the Mansion House 2025 reforms, Pay.UK has expanded its board to 14 total directors, achieving a perfect balance between industry and independent oversight. This 50/50 representation model is designed to ensure that strategic board appointments reflect the diverse needs of all participants in the UK economy. By increasing industry representation, Pay.UK can more effectively accelerate initiatives like the Faster Payment System liquidity model and the Enhanced Data Exchange (EDEx) to combat rising fraud levels.
How will Pay.UK address future challenges in digital money?
The newly expanded board is specifically tasked with guiding the UK through rapid shifts in stablecoins and AI. These strategic board appointments empower Pay.UK to maintain operational resilience while fostering collaborative leadership across the private and public sectors. The focus remains on delivering safe and effective payment systems that can handle billions of pounds in daily transactions while adapting to emerging ecosystem risks and technological opportunities.
FF NEWS TAKE:
This move by Pay.UK definitely moves the needle by injecting "challenger" energy into the heart of UK infrastructure. Bringing in a heavy hitter from Monzo alongside established banking and partnership experts shows a serious commitment to the strategic board appointments necessary for a modern payments vision. It signals that the UK is moving past legacy thinking to embrace a more integrated, tech-first approach to national payment rails.
Frequently asked questions
Who are the new board members at Pay.UK?
Pay.UK has appointed Alison Berryman from Bank of Ireland UK, Matthijs Boon from Equals, and Pranay Ahluwalia from Monzo Bank as industry Non-Executive Directors. These appointments, effective July 1, 2026, bring over 70 combined years of experience in retail banking, fintech, and global payment rails to the UK's interbank retail payment systems operator.
Why did Pay.UK expand its board of directors?
Pay.UK expanded its board from 12 to 14 directors to include more industry expertise following the Mansion House 2025 Payments Vision Delivery Committee recommendations. This change ensures a 50/50 balance between industry and independent directors, allowing for a more comprehensive understanding of emerging ecosystem opportunities like AI and stablecoins.
What are Pay.UK's primary responsibilities?
Pay.UK is the recognised operator and standards body for the UK’s interbank retail payment systems. It manages critical infrastructure including the Bacs Payment System, the Faster Payment System, and the Image Clearing System, while also delivering services like the Current Account Switch Service and Confirmation of Payee.
About the companies
Companies in this story: Monzo Bank, Payments Vision Delivery Committee, Bank of Ireland UK, Pay.UK
People in this story: Mark Hoban, Matthijs Boon, Pranay Ahluwalia, Alison Berryman