The Payments Council, the collaborative body for the payments industry, announced Thursday, 31st July that Adrian Kamellard is to step down as Chief Executive. Gerard Lemos, Chairman of the Payments Council, will now become Executive Chairman until a new Chief Executive is appointed.

Gerard Lemos, Chairman of the Payments Council, said:

“The Board of the Payments Council, industry and Independent Directors, would like to thank Adrian for the work he has done in leading the Payments Council since 2011. Under his leadership major improvements have been delivered to benefit consumers across the UK, including the Current Account Switch Service and Paym, the new mobile payments service. We wish Adrian all the best for the future.”

Adrian Kamellard said:

“I am proud to have led the Payments Council during a period of huge change in the industry. As collaboration in the industry enters a new phase, this is the right time for me to stand down in order to ensure the refocused Payments Council continues to deliver for consumers and the industry alike. I would like to thank the team at the Payments Council for all they have delivered during my time as Chief Executive and the Board for their constant support.”

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.