The new End User Advisory Council (EUAC) will have a formal role to advise and challenge the board of the NPSO, to ensure the UK’s payment systems are run for the public good. It will ensure the needs of consumers, businesses and the not for profit sector inform the strategy of the NPSO by giving an expert view on what end users need now and in the future, ensuring these needs are correctly understood and addressed in the NPSO’s work.

The NPSO wishes to appoint a number of independent consumer interest members, including some with expertise relating to consumers in vulnerable circumstances or experiencing financial disadvantage. Alongside these will be some members from public, private and not-for-profit user organisations, such as small businesses, charities, corporations, non-governmental organisations and Government departments. Applications are also being sought from candidates who work at the interface of payments systems and their users, such as app designers.

Each member of the End User Advisory Council will bring specialist knowledge and understanding of one or more end user groups, and together they will advise the NPSO Board on end user needs, now and in future. They will support strategy development, help identify risks in relation to NPSO activities that might impact end users, and make recommendations to the NPSO on its rules, standards, policies and practices.

The open recruitment for the End User Advisory Council is being supported by global executive search consultancy Saxton Bampfylde, with applications welcomed until the closing date on Monday 5 February 2018. The paid roles will require 10-12 days work per year, with appointments made for a maximum tenure of three years.

Melanie Johnson, Chair of the New Payment System Operator, said:

“Every consumer, business and charity in the country relies on the UK’s payment systems in some way - our new End User Advisory Council will ensure their voice is heard as part of the decision making process for how they are run.

“Becoming a member of an advisory council is a fantastic opportunity for anyone with an interest in making sure payment systems work for the public good. I would encourage anyone that recognises the vital role payments play in our society to apply, or get in touch with Saxton Bampfylde to find out more.”

In addition to the EUAC, the NPSO is also setting up a separate independent Participant Advisory Council to enable participants of payment systems to advise, comment and make recommendations to the board on non-competitive, collaborative matters of significance to them. An NPSO event for stakeholders interested in finding out more about the PAC was held on Wednesday 17 January, with further details about recruitment to this group due to be published in the next few weeks.