EML Payments Names Adam Olding Global CEO to Lead Platform Rollout in March
EML Payments appoints Adam Olding as Global CEO to drive transformation
EML Payments (ASX: EML) has appointed Adam Olding as Global Chief Executive Officer, effective 30 March 2026. The EML Payments CEO appointment reflects progress on the company’s EML2.0 transformation program and is designed to strengthen executive capacity during the next phase of operational execution.
Executive Chairman Anthony Hynes remains in his role with an expanded focus on strategic product development opportunities, broader growth initiatives including the mobility program, and investor and market engagement. This dual leadership structure creates separate accountability streams: operational execution under Olding, strategic growth initiatives under Hynes.
The restructure signals a shift from turnaround mode to growth execution phase. Olding has been embedded in EML’s operations for 18 months, most recently leading the Australia, UK, and Europe regions before assuming oversight of North American operations. His elevation to Global CEO provides clear executive accountability across regions and functions as EML continues deploying its single global technology platform.
When big ASX news breaks, our subscribers know first
Who is Adam Olding?
Olding brings over 25 years of experience across payments, financial services, technology, and listed-company environments. He has held senior executive roles in regulated businesses across Australia, the UK, and Europe, with expertise spanning payments, governance, corporate development, and business transformation.
He joined EML as CEO, Australia, UK and Europe in September 2024, where he led the EML 2.0 transformation program across those regions. Following recent executive leadership consolidation, he assumed oversight of the North American market, making his appointment to Global CEO a logical progression.
Prior to joining EML, Olding served as CEO of education finance business ZeeFi. He previously held the position of Commercial Director and General Counsel at Optal Limited, where he worked alongside Anthony Hynes to build the business into a significant global payments company before its sale. This prior working relationship suggests alignment at executive level and continuity of strategic vision.
Olding holds law (Honours) and economics degrees from Monash University, together with postgraduate qualifications in communications and corporate governance.
Remuneration structure
Olding’s compensation package heavily weights equity-linked components, aligning CEO interests with shareholders. The structure includes Total Fixed Remuneration of $600,000 per annum (inclusive of superannuation), a Short Term Incentive Plan with a target opportunity of 75% of TFR (maximum 86%), and Annual Performance Rights equal to 100% of TFR annually.
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Total Fixed Remuneration | $600,000 p.a. (inclusive of super) |
| FY26 STI Target | 75% of TFR (max 86%) |
| Annual Performance Rights | 100% of TFR annually |
| New APR Grant | 1,779,661 rights across three tranches |
| Total Unvested APR | 3,168,551 rights |
| FY25-FY27 LTIP | 6,666,667 rights (TSR-tested) |
The new APR grant comprises three tranches covering measurement periods from 25 March 2026 to 24 March 2029, with values of $100,000, $348,634, and $600,000 respectively. The number of rights granted has been adjusted to account for unvested APR awards previously granted in connection with Olding’s role as CEO Australia, UK & Europe, maintaining alignment to 100% of TFR for each year of the three-year period.
The FY25-FY27 LTIP has been adjusted to 6,666,667 rights, subject to an Absolute Total Shareholder Return (TSR) performance vesting condition tested over the measurement period from 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2027. This structure ensures executive reward is directly tied to share price performance over the measurement period.
What is EML’s transformation strategy?
The EML2.0 program centres on migrating to a single global technology platform called Arlo. This represents a consolidation effort where EML is shifting away from multiple regional technology stacks to a unified system deployed across all markets.
The platform consolidation is designed to improve operational efficiency and scalability. A single global platform enables faster product rollouts, reduces technical complexity, and creates better margin leverage over time as the company scales operations without proportional increases in technology infrastructure costs.
Olding’s role as Global CEO involves leading day-to-day execution of this platform deployment. As CEO, he will be responsible for the day-to-day management of EML and will lead the Executive Leadership Team in executing the company’s operational and strategic priorities, including the deployment of Arlo across the business.
Australian regulatory update
EML Payment Solutions Limited (EPSL) is progressing an application to the Australian Prudential Regulation Authority (APRA) for authority to carry on banking business in Australia in connection with certain of its prepaid card programs that APRA regards as purchased payment facilities.
On 27 March 2026, APRA and the Reserve Bank of Australia (RBA) advised EPSL of interim arrangements required pending grant of an ADI licence. The regulators require that EPSL obtains a guarantee from an ADI in respect of stored value liabilities for EPSL programs by 30 April 2026 (or such later date that may be agreed with APRA and the RBA).
EPSL will engage with APRA and the RBA regarding this requirement, including:
- The timeline for implementing any guarantee
- Possible alternative structures acceptable to the regulators
- Associated costs to EML for any interim arrangement
The means by which EPSL would satisfy this requirement, and any associated cost, is still being determined. Any such arrangement would only need to remain in place until APRA grants EPSL’s ADI licence, which EML currently expects within the next 12 months, subject to APRA engagement and satisfaction of relevant licence requirements.
EPSL continues to hold all customer funds on trust for customers, segregated from its own funds, in accounts with a tier-one Australian bank, consistent with industry practice.
On 13 March 2026, Treasury released exposure draft legislation under the Australian Government’s payments service provider reforms. The draft explanatory materials provide important context for EML’s regulatory position.
Treasury Statement on Payments Reform
“The current purchased payment facility framework is not fit for purpose and the prudential regulation of APRA-authorised purchased payment facility providers is onerous and can present a barrier to growth, with existing RBA exemptions also giving rise to additional regulatory costs.”
These reforms remain exposure draft legislation, with feedback being sought before the legislation is finalised and introduced into Parliament. The proposed reforms do not affect EPSL’s current regulatory obligations. However, if implemented in their current form, the reforms would not require a stored value facility provider to obtain a guarantee from an ADI in respect of stored value liabilities, would be less onerous than ADI authorisation, and would be more consistent with the regulatory environment in which EML operates in the UK and Europe.
The near-term regulatory requirement creates execution risk but is expected to be temporary. If enacted, the proposed Treasury reforms could materially reduce EML’s compliance burden and align Australia’s regulatory framework with the UK and European jurisdictions where EML already operates.
The next major ASX story will hit our subscribers first
Strategic outlook
The leadership restructure positions EML to manage strategic growth initiatives and operational execution concurrently. Executive capacity has been expanded at the top level, with Olding focused on transformation execution and Hynes maintaining oversight of strategic product development and market engagement.
Executive Chairman Anthony Hynes expressed confidence in the appointment, stating that Olding has been with EML for 18 months and during this time has made a significant contribution to the strategic direction of the business, while demonstrating strong leadership across the company. The appointment reflects the Board’s confidence in Olding’s ability to work closely with Hynes to drive the business forward and deliver on the ambitions of the EML 2.0 strategy.
Adam Olding, Global CEO
“I am excited by the opportunity ahead for EML and honoured to be leading the business as CEO. Over the last twelve months we have strengthened the leadership team and built momentum behind our strategic priorities. I am confident in our ability to execute over the coming years and to position EML as a stronger, more focused business for our customers, partners, people and shareholders.”
Management tone signals a transition from restructuring to execution and growth. The company has strengthened its leadership team and built momentum behind strategic priorities, with the dual leadership structure intended to support concurrent progress on operational efficiency and strategic growth initiatives.
Want the Next Fintech Breakout in Your Inbox?
Join 20,000+ investors receiving FREE breaking ASX news the moment it’s announced, complete with in-depth analysis. Big News Blast delivers alerts within minutes of release across Tech, Healthcare, Finance, and more. Click the “Free Alerts” button to get market-moving announcements before the crowd reacts.