Nick Ford, UK Head of Payments, Capgemini, has joined the Board of The International Association of Money Transfer Networks (IAMTN) as part of a partnership deal to increase the association's focus on Sepa and the Payments Services Directive.
IAMTN President, Lord Lamont of Lerwick, the former Chancellor of Exchequer said, "Capgemini's reputation, skills and research resources will greatly strengthen the work of our Association. This is a welcome step forward which I know will be of real benefit to all those in the money transfer sector."
IAMTN CEO Lady Olga Maitland added, "IAMTN has no direct financial interest in any Money Transfer organisations. We are therefore well positioned to offer impartial advice and support. We are delighted that Capgemini has agreed to collaborate with us and their involvement will be of great advantage to the payments sector."
Capgemini bills itself as being at the forefront of strategic thinking within the payments sector and has produced the World Payments Report, in conjunction with ABN AMRO and EFMA. The 2007 Report is due to be released in the autumn.
Ford said, "The global payments sector is undergoing dramatic change. This is leading to a re-think in how organisations approach their payments businesses and is changing the face of how money is transferred across borders.
"The alliance with IAMTN enhances our current position in providing strategic advice to many of the money transfer operators, and the booming mobile phone and pre-payment card operations. In addition, through strong relationships with governments and regulatory authorities worldwide, one of the key objectives for the alliance will be to focus on the impact of the Payment Services Directive and SEPA, the Single Euro Payments Area."
In collaboration with Capgemini, IAMTN will offer its members: full marketing and business development support services; access to its thought leadership and research collateral; networking opportunities through the annual International Conference in October and other regional seminars; as well as training and guidance on relevant topics.
Lady Olga said, "As the international payments business is growing by an estimated 20% a year, there is a real demand for money transfer operators to understand what is happening in the market place, to be aware of new developments and able to network freely. In collaboration with Capgemini, we are now in a position to extend the service we launched in 2006, supported by a full calendar of UK and international events."