Paul Smith
About Paul Smith
Paul Smith is a Delivery Lead at Nationwide For Business, with over 25 years of experience in the payments and card sector. His career includes roles at major companies such as Visa, Vodafone, and Skrill, where he specialized in project management and card scheme compliance.
Current Role at Nationwide Building Society
Paul Smith serves as the Delivery Lead at Nationwide for Business, a position he has held since 2019. He operates from County of Wiltshire, Wiltshire, United Kingdom. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the delivery of projects and ensuring alignment with business objectives. His extensive experience in project management within the financial services sector supports his current responsibilities.
Previous Experience in Project Management
Prior to his current role, Paul Smith worked at Nationwide Building Society as a Senior Project Manager from 2011 to 2014 and as a Payments Senior Project Manager for nine months in 2018. His experience also includes positions at Visa, where he served as a Project Manager, Portfolio Manager, and Head of Dispute Resolutions, as well as roles at Vodafone and Skrill. His diverse background in project management spans over 25 years in the payments and card sector.
Education and Academic Background
Paul Smith studied at Wolverhampton Grammar School from 1982 to 1989. He furthered his education at Birkbeck, University of London, where he studied Economics and Social Policy from 1996 to 2000. He also attended the University of London, achieving a degree in Economics. His academic background provides a solid foundation for his career in project management and the payments industry.
Expertise in Payments and Card Sector
Paul Smith has over 25 years of experience in the payments and card sector, specializing in both issuing and acquiring. He has extensive stakeholder management experience across various organizational levels, from users to Directors and Board members. His expertise includes change and problem management, operational readiness, and service transition, making him a valuable asset in the financial services industry.
Consultancy and Leadership Experience
In addition to his corporate roles, Paul Smith previously owned a consultancy that delivered card scheme programs and compliance advice for large blue-chip clients, including Paysafe and Nationwide Building Society. He has led the Card Scheme Management function at Cashflows, focusing on compliance with Visa, Mastercard, and Amex schemes. His leadership skills are complemented by strong analytical, communication, and planning abilities.