Quantum Group Appoints James Radford as CEO of Volopa

Quantum Group, the fintech and security incubator, is excited to announce the appointment of James Radford as the CEO of Volopa, its foreign exchange, international payments, and expense management company.

 With more than three decades of financial services and fintech experience, James’ leadership will drive Volopa’s growth and build market share in both Europe and the UK. He spent over 15 years at American Express and subsequently held senior roles at HBOS and Lloyds Banking Group where he was Head of Banking Operations; Business, Commercial and Wholesale Banking. 

James has held a number of fintech leadership roles including COO of Aldermore bank and CEO of the Cheque Clearing business where he was accountable for delivering the digital imaging of cheques to the UK banking industry.

From 2020 to 2023, James was CEO of Revolut UK, part of the senior management team that delivered a rise in the fintech’s value from $5.5 billion to $33 billion. He joins Volopa from Lycamoney, a Lycamobile group company where he was CEO. Lycamoney is a financial services company providing debit cards and international remittances to its customers.

As CEO of Volopa, James will lead the development of the business, alongside a senior management team, which was strengthened in 2023 when Volopa acquired the UK branch of the American Express (Amex) FX team.

Volopa helps clients navigate the complex world of FX, payments, expense management, and business reporting, bringing together three solutions into one offering: 

• Global payments from the UK and EEA to 180 countries worldwide
• Multicurrency smart prepaid company cards
• Simplified employee expense management

Volopa’s offer is supported by exceptional levels of customer service, with Volopa ensuring each customer has a personal account manager and point of contact. 

Volopa is part of the Quantum Group, alongside cashback and rewards platform, Verve, and boutique security consultancy, Valkyrie, and cyber security specialist Forensic Control.  James will join the Board of Quantum as Director of Fintech and Banking, helping with its plan to list on the London Stock Exchange in 2026. 

Volopa is the largest division in the group measured by revenues and, is pursuing significant new opportunities, including securing  e-money licences in the UK, Europe, and the equivalent permissions in the Middle East and Africa . Volopa is growing quickly, and in the 12 months to June 2024, saw its client base increase threefold. Over 70 new corporate accounts are currently being signed up each month, with recent high profile clients including Aston Martin Formula 1, Team Paralympic GB, three large Air Charter companies /business travel agents, The England, and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), Golf Ireland, and a major luxury hotel chain. 

Floyd Woodrow MBE DCM, Founder & CEO, Quantum Group, said: “James is one of the UK’s most accomplished and visionary fintech leaders, celebrated for his hands-on approach and unparalleled track record of success. As the CEO of Revolut UK for over three transformative years, James established from scratch the UK Board, executive and banking team and was a key senior leader during the Company’s most dynamic growth phase. We are thrilled that he has become CEO of Volopa, and he will accelerate our growth, as we look to deliver a successful IPO of Quantum Group.”

James Radford, CEO of Volopa, added: ““After meeting the exceptional team and seeing the innovative solutions and outstanding customer service they provide, I was thrilled to join Volopa. In a market often plagued by opaque solutions, excessive charges, and inadequate AI driven customer service, Volopa stands out by leveraging cutting-edge technology and real world human interaction to meet and exceed its customer expectations. This is an exciting time for the sector, as more businesses are realising there are alternatives to the big banks and are seeking the agility and capabilities that modern, customer-focused, and ambitious fintechs like Volopa offer.”