Barclays appoints Amazon finance head as new CEO of Barclays Partner Finance

Barclays has hired a new CEO for its point-of-sale finance business, Barclays Partner Finance, used by the likes of Apple, British Gas and Wickes to spread the cost of larger purchases.

Antony Stephen will step into the role on 4 October 2021 and will focus on growing the point-of-sale business in the UK and help guide the bank’s new commerce platform, Cubed.

Stephen joins Barclays from Amazon, where he was head of Amazon payments in Europe, and brings with him more than 25 years of experience in the financial and payments sectors.

“This is an incredibly exciting time for point-of-sale finance—while the core business model has existed for a long time, it has surged in popularity and prominence in recent years, thanks to advancements in technology and changes in customer behaviour,” the incoming CEO of Barclays Partner Finance said.

“With its unrivalled network of both consumers and major retailers, Barclays recognises the fantastic opportunity it has to lead the market, and I’m thrilled to be joining the bank at this pivotal moment.”

In his new role, Stephen will report to Ruchir Rodrigues, head of Barclays Cubed and consumer bank in Europe.

“Antony’s global experience with an industry-leading firm like Amazon and his passion for customer-centricity will be invaluable in driving this business forward,” Rodrigues said of Stephen’s appointment.

“His vision and leadership will add immense value to the team as we continue to create tangible value for the consumers and merchants that we serve”.