Deko’s unique multi-product, multi-lender platform provides fast and convenient access to a marketplace of lenders, driving higher acceptance for merchants. The platform can cater to a wide range of basket sizes across a variety of sectors and offers its partners a proven uplift in basket conversion. Melanie will drive growth and awareness of Deko’s flexible solutions, ensuring that merchants are supported to secure maximum sales conversions.

Melanie brings a wealth of experience from her previous roles with both industry leaders and high-growth disruptors. She joins Deko from her role as CCO at Splitit, where she was accountable for global revenue growth as well as leading the worldwide sales and marketing organisations. This followed regional leadership roles at Paypal, and Prospa, an Australia based fintech scale-up. Further experience in the sector includes leading Intuit’s global expansion efforts and driving its flagship accounting software brand QuickBooks to its position as a market leader in new and existing markets.

The fintech sector is one of the fastest growing in the world, with the adjacent ecommerce market undergoing rapid evolution. The payments sector is integral to this change, as both merchants and customers are increasingly seeking to adopt ‘buy now pay later’ solutions. Despite this, merchants are still facing challenges around customer retention and cart abandonment. Deko’s unique product provides a solution to these issues by matching customers and merchants with the right lenders, boosting sales in the process.

Melanie Vala, Chief Commercial Officer, comments: "The payments sector has seen incredible innovation in recent years. I believe that Deko’s unique offering will be a driving force in the next phase of BNPL’s evolution. The company is primed for explosive growth, and Deko is investing across the organisation to realise this exciting market opportunity.

In the past I’ve very much enjoyed the experience of working in the dynamic and agile environment of businesses with high growth potential. It is clear that Deko has truly visionary leadership that has both the customer and innovation at its heart. I’m excited to join the talented team and support merchants as we enter a new era of retail finance.”

Mike Dawson, Chief Executive comments: “Melanie will provide invaluable expertise as she guides Deko into its next phase of growth, building upon her extensive global experience across the fintech and payments sector. I am very much looking forward to working with her as Deko expands its operations.

It is a challenging time for the retail industry, and I am certain that Melanie’s unparalleled leadership and commercial skills will drive Deko’s ability to help more merchants to convert maximum sales.”