Andrew will be responsible for strategic relationship development, M&A and innovation investment initiatives. Andrew will report to Paul Stoddart, Managing Director, Strategy and Business Development.

Andrew joins VocaLink from Optimal Payments where he was Executive Vice President, Corporate Affairs, responsible for expanding the Corporate Development business unit. Prior to that, he successfully managed corporate transactions, IPOs and strategic alliances working for HSBC Investment Bank and Cannacord Genuity in London, delivering years of outstanding business and revenue growth. Andrew's expertise lies in corporate development, finance and stakeholder management.

Paul Stoddart, Managing Director, Strategy and Business Development, VocaLink, said: "Andrew's appointment underpins our commitment to advance payments innovation both within the UK and international markets. His corporate development and stakeholder management experience in the global payments industry is vital for VocaLink's corporate roadmap. We are delighted to welcome Andrew to the team."

Andrew Gilchrist commented: "I am very pleased to join VocaLink at a time when the payments industry is on the cusp of digital innovation, specifically due to the emergence of smartphones. VocaLink plays a pivotal role in the growth of our national payments infrastructure and the appetite for our expertise also exists in international markets. New partnerships and alliances will help us respond to this healthy demand for innovation and I am looking forward to being part of the team shaping the future of payments.''