The Payments Association Teams Up with Nineteen Group and Phoenix Equity Partners for Expansion
The Payments Association (TPA), the UK’s leading membership organisation and events platform for the payments industry, is pleased to announce that it has partnered with Nineteen Group, a global events and media business backed by Phoenix Equity Partners.
The partnership is designed to support TPA’s next chapter of growth – providing the resources, reach and investment to scale its offering, while preserving the ethos, leadership and community focus that have underpinned its success.
Ben Agnew, CEO of The Payments Association, said:
“This marks a pivotal moment for TPA. We’ve built incredible momentum as a trusted community for payments professionals, and this partnership with Nineteen Group, and therefore access to significant growth capital from backers, Phoenix, gives us the platform to do even more.
We will continue to run and grow the Association with the same values and leadership – now with added support to scale our events, insight and membership experience, across the UK and beyond.”
Peter Jones, CEO of Nineteen Group, commented:
“We’re delighted to partner with The Payments Association. It’s a unique organisation with a powerful community, and a brilliant team. We’re here to get behind and support their continued growth, while protecting what makes them special. This partnership is about scale, not change – and we’re excited for what’s ahead.”
The Payments Association will remain an independent brand within the Nineteen and Phoenix portfolio, led by its existing management team. Its mission remains unchanged: to empower payments leaders to connect, learn and drive positive change in the industry.
This partnership and investment will support key initiatives including:
- Scaling the Community – Expanding TPA’s reach across geographies and sectors, creating more opportunities for members to connect and collaborate.
- Enhancing Member Value – Investment in insight, content, experiences and new digital platforms.
- Technology and Innovation – Building new tools, products and services to better serve a dynamic and fast-moving payments landscape.
Tony Craddock, Founder of The Payments Association, added:
“This partnership supercharges what we’ve built over the years. With the backing of Nineteen and Phoenix, we’re poised to create even more impact for the payments community – and do it with the same passion, purpose and people that our members trust.”
Collingwood acted as financial adviser to The Payments Association on the transaction.
The Payments Association
The Payments Association (TPA) is the UK’s largest and most influential community and commercial membership business in the payments sector. Through industry insights, expert guidance, access to regulators and policy makers, valuable connections and new partnership opportunities, TPA has established itself as the voice, the data source, and the strategic partner that the industry turns to for guidance, insights, and leadership.
Through membership and events (including PAY360, Financial Crime 360, and the PAY360 Awards), The Payments Association helps businesses navigate the evolving payments landscape effectively.
Our purpose is to empower the most influential community in payments, where the connections, collaboration and learning shape an industry that works for all.
Nineteen Group
Nineteen Group is the UK’s fastest-growing events and media business and a Sunday Times Best Places to Work 2025 company. Backed by Phoenix Equity Partners, our 200+ team delivers world-class exhibitions and media across transport & energy, security & cyber, emergency response, technology, infrastructure, and manufacturing. Headquartered in London with offices in Boston, Hong Kong, and Singapore.