{{Short description|British entrepreneur (born 1961)}} '''Sir Rohinton Minoo''' "'''Ron'''" '''Kalifa''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE}} (born April 1961)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://find-and-update.company-information.service.gov.uk/officers/A7teJrQmSFzWDFHW8F_btrIlCvc/appointments|title=Rohinton Minoo Kalifa|publisher=Companies House|access-date=16 March 2023}}</ref> is a British entrepreneur. In May 2019, Ron was appointed as a non-executive director to the Bank of England's Court of Directors<ref>{{cite web |title=Chancellor announces Bank of England appointments |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/chancellor-announces-bank-of-england-appointments |website=GOV.UK |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref> and later became Senior Independent Director.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Ron Kalifa |url=https://www.bankofengland.co.uk/about/people/ron-kalifa/biography#:~:text=Sir%20Ron%20Kalifa%20is%20the,the%20Audit%20and%20Risk%20Committee. |website=Bank of England |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref>
He has held various roles including as the chairman of Network International, and formerly served as the chief executive officer of Worldpay Group from 2002 to 2013, continuing as vice chairman. Kalifa was appointed an Officer of the Order of the British Empire in the 2018 New Year Honours for his work in financial services and technology.<ref name=":3">{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9580ba86-462c-11e9-b168-96a37d002cd3|title=Network appoints ex-Worldpay chief as chairman ahead of IPO|last=Megaw|first=Nicholas|date=14 March 2019|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB}}</ref> He was later knighted in the 2022 Queen's Birthday Honours.<ref>{{Cite web |last=arZan |title=Sir Ron Kalifa Knighted in Her Majesty's Platinum Jubilee Honours List |url=https://parsikhabar.net/individuals/sir-ron-kalifa-knighted-in-her-majestys-platinum-jubilee-honours-list/26271/ |access-date=2022-06-02 |website=Parsi Khabar |date=2 June 2022 |language=en-US}}</ref>
== Career == Before becoming CEO and then later Vice Chairman and Board Director of Worldpay, Kalifa held various roles within Royal Bank of Scotland Group (RBS) where he built the Worldpay business organically and via acquisition.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.gtreview.com/news/on-the-move/rbs-reveals-new-gts-team-structure/|title=RBS reveals new GTS team structure|date=2009-07-16|website=Global Trade Review (GTR)|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/bain-capital-advent-international-reap-4-9-billion-profit-from-worldpay-1444760206|title=Bain Capital, Advent International Reap $4.9 Billion Profit From Worldpay|last=Clark|first=Simon|date=2015-10-13|work=Wall Street Journal|language=en-US|issn=0099-9660}}</ref> During his tenure as CEO, he led Worldpay through its transition to a standalone company following its divestment from RBS in 2010 and oversaw the company's takeover by Vantiv in 2017<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0bee4006-27f1-11e1-9433-00144feabdc0|title=Worldpay plans ambitious expansion|last=Goff|first=Sharlene|date=2011-12-19|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.ft.com/content/0d8bee12-fb3d-11e5-8f41-df5bda8beb40|title=Worldpay set to break free from RBS technology|last=Goff|first=Sharlene|date=2016-04-05|website=Financial Times|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/business/2017/aug/09/us-firm-vantiv-to-buy-british-rival-worldpay-for-93bn|title=US firm Vantiv to buy British rival Worldpay for £9.3bn|last=Monaghan|first=Angela|date=2017-08-09|work=The Guardian|language=en-GB|issn=0261-3077}}</ref> and subsequently to FIS in 2019.<ref>{{cite web |title=FIS Closes Acquisition of Worldpay, Enhancing its Global Technology Leadership Serving Merchants, Banks and Capital Markets |url=https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1533932/000119312519208255/d796318dex991.htm |website=Fidelity Information Services |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref>
As a public speaker and prominent figure in the payments sector, he has been a keynote speaker at the Innovate Finance Global Summit over the years and at various Money 2020 conferences.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-11|title=UK FinTech 'ripe for opportunities'|url=https://www.uktech.news/news/uk-fintech-ripe-for-opportunities-20160411|access-date=2022-01-19|website=UKTN {{!}} UK Tech News {{!}}|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-05-02|title=Innovate Finance Global Summit - Round up|url=https://thefintechtimes.com/innovate-finance-global-summit-round-up/|access-date=2022-01-19|website=The Fintech Times|language=en-GB}}</ref> He was also Chairman of FutureLearn, the educational technology platform, from February 2020 to December 2022.<ref>{{cite web |title=Former Worldpay exec Ron Kalifa OBE joins FutureLearn Board as Chair |url=https://www.fenews.co.uk/press-releases/212-executive-appointments/41890-former-worldpay-exec-ron-kalifa-obe-joins-futurelearn-board-as-chair |website=FE News |date=7 February 2020|access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref>
He has held the position of chairman at Network International, a payments group in Africa and the Middle East, joining just ahead of its IPO in 2019.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2019/04/02/money-rolls-facilitating-cashless-society/|title=The companies making trillions as the world goes cashless|last1=Field|first1=Matthew|date=2019-04-02|work=The Telegraph|last2=Boland|first2=Hannah|language=en-GB|issn=0307-1235}}</ref> This business was divested to the global investment firm, Brookfield in June 2023.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Koilparambil |first1=Aby Jose |title=Brookfield beefs up payments business with $2.76 billion Network International buyout |url=https://www.reuters.com/markets/deals/brookfield-buy-network-international-276-bln-2023-06-09/ |website=Reuters |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref> In October 2023, Brookfield appointed Kalifa as Vice Chair and Head of Financial Infrastructure.<ref name="Press Release: Brookfield Announces Appointment of Sir Ron Kalifa as Vice Chair and Head of Financial Infrastructure">{{cite web |title=Press Release: Brookfield Announces Appointment of Sir Ron Kalifa as Vice Chair and Head of Financial Infrastructure |url=https://bam.brookfield.com/press-releases/brookfield-announces-appointment-sir-ron-kalifa-vice-chair-and-head-financial |website=Brookfield |publisher=Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. |access-date=2025-06-02}}</ref>
Mark Carney, as Chairman of Brookfield said: “Ron and I have known each other for many years including during our time together at the Bank of England. I look forward to working with Ron as we grow Brookfield’s financial infrastructure capabilities.”<ref name="Press Release: Brookfield Announces Appointment of Sir Ron Kalifa as Vice Chair and Head of Financial Infrastructure">{{cite web |title=Press Release: Brookfield Announces Appointment of Sir Ron Kalifa as Vice Chair and Head of Financial Infrastructure |url=https://bam.brookfield.com/press-releases/brookfield-announces-appointment-sir-ron-kalifa-vice-chair-and-head-financial |website=Brookfield |publisher=Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. |access-date=2025-06-02}}</ref>
Kalifa was also made a non-executive director on the InterContinental Hotels Group (IHG) board in January 2024.<ref>{{cite web |title=Sir Ron Kalifa |url=https://www.ihgplc.com/en/about-us/our-leadership/our-board/ron-kalifa |website=InterContinental Hotels Group |access-date=2025-05-20}}</ref> Since January 2026, he is the non-executive chairman of the Norwegian software company, Visma.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Gopinath |first=Swetha |date=18 December 2025 |title=Visma to Name Ex-Worldpay CEO Kalifa as Non-Executive Chair |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-12-18/visma-said-to-name-ex-worldpay-ceo-kalifa-as-non-executive-chair |work=Bloomberg News}}</ref>
He is reported to be an investor in the Indian Premier League (IPL) cricket franchise, Rajasthan Royals.<ref>{{cite web |title=IPL: British businessmen take shot at Rajasthan Royals franchise |url=https://news.sky.com/story/ipl-british-businessmen-take-shot-at-rajasthan-royals-franchise-12077770 |website=Sky News |language=en}}</ref>
==Other activity== Kalifa sits on various not-for-profit boards. Prior to becoming a Trustee of the Royal Foundation (TRF) and Chair of the Finance Committee,<ref>{{cite web |title=The Team |url=https://royalfoundation.com/the-team/ |website=Royal Foundation |access-date=2025-06-02}}</ref> he was a Non-Executive Director for Transport for London, where he chaired the Finance Committee until May 2021.<ref>{{cite web |title=Board Members |url=https://tfl.gov.uk/corporate/about-tfl/how-we-work/corporate-governance/board-members |website=Transport for London}}</ref>
An alumnus of Harvard Business School, Kalifa also joined the Council of Imperial College London in March 2020.<ref>{{cite web |title=University Governance Membership |url=https://www.imperial.ac.uk/admin-services/secretariat/university-governance-structure/governance-structure/council/composition/ |website=Imperial College London |access-date=2025-06-02}}</ref> In July 2020, Kalifa was appointed by the UK government to lead an independent Fintech Strategic Review.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Cogley |first1=Michael |title=Former Worldpay boss to lead review of UK's £7bn fintech sector |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/technology/2020/07/20/former-worldpay-boss-lead-review-uks-7bn-fintech-sector/ |website=The Telegraph |date=20 July 2020}}</ref>
The outcome of the review entitled "Kalifa Review of UK Fintech" was published on 26 February 2021, his report highlighted the opportunity to create highly skilled jobs across the UK, boost trade, and extend the UK's competitive edge over other leading fintech hubs. It sets out a series of proposals for how the UK can build on its existing strengths, create the right framework for continued innovation, and support UK firms to scale.<ref name="gov.uk">{{Cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-kalifa-review-of-uk-fintech|title = The Kalifa Review of UK FinTech| date=16 April 2021 }} 30px Text was copied from this source, which is available under an [http://www.nationalarchives.gov.uk/doc/open-government-licence/version/3/ Open Government Licence v3.0]. © Crown copyright.</ref>
In January 2021, he became a member of the Government's Build Back Better Council, consisting of 30 members representing industries from retail and hospitality, to finance, science and technology.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Prime Minister and Chancellor launch new Business Council|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-and-chancellor-launch-new-business-council|access-date=27 January 2022|website=GOV.UK|language=en}}</ref>
In November 2021, he was favored for a job as the Chairman of the England and Wales Cricket Board.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Mehmooda Duke: Leicestershire chair stands down as ECB prepare to unveil 12-point inclusion plan {{!}} The Cricketer|url=https://www.thecricketer.com/Topics/countycricket/mehmooda_duke_steps_down_leicestershire_chair_ecb_braced_inclusion_plan.html|access-date=27 January 2022|website=thecricketer.com|language=en}}</ref>
==The Kalifa Review== During Budget 2020, The Chancellor of the Exchequer asked Ron Kalifa OBE to conduct an independent review to identify priority areas to support the UK’s fintech sector.<ref name="gov.uk"/> The Review subsequently launched in July 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Harrop|first=Claire|title=UK fintech strategic review – focus on regulation|url=https://technologyquotient.freshfields.com/post/102grxm/uk-fintech-strategic-review-focus-on-regulation|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Passle|date=March 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
The outcome of the Fintech Strategic Review entitled "Kalifa Review of UK Fintech" was published on 26 February 2021.<ref name="gov.uk"/> His report highlighted the opportunity to create highly skilled jobs across the UK, boost trade, and extend the UK's competitive edge over other leading fintech hubs. It sets out a series of proposals for how the UK can build on its existing strengths, create the right framework for continued innovation, and support UK firms to scale.<ref name="gov.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-05-02|title=Innovate Finance Global Summit - Round up|url=https://thefintechtimes.com/innovate-finance-global-summit-round-up/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=The Fintech Times|language=en-GB}}</ref>
The report’s recommendations included amendments to UK listing rules to make the UK a more attractive location for Initial Public Offerings, which were subsequently adopted in December 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Jean-Baptiste Andrieux|date=2021-12-02|title=FCA confirms new listing rules|url=https://www.moneymarketing.co.uk/news/fca-confirms-new-listing-rules/|access-date=2022-01-27|website=Money Marketing|language=en-GB}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|last1=Stafford|first1=Philip|last2=Noonan|first2=Laura|date=2021-12-02|title=Sweeping overhaul of UK listing rules comes into force|work=Financial Times|url=https://www.ft.com/content/9da686a8-15dc-40c7-9fb0-d774e24b04f7|access-date=2022-01-27}}</ref> It also recommended improvements to tech visas to attract global talent and boost the fintech workforce and the creation of a regulatory Fintech ‘scalebox’ to provide additional support to growth stage fintechs. The final recommendation was the creation of a Centre for Finance, Innovation, and Technology (CFIT),<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology - Steering Committee |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/centre-for-finance-innovation-and-technology-steering-committee |access-date=2022-09-07 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref> to strengthen national coordination across the fintech ecosystem to boost growth.<ref name="gov.uk"/><ref>{{Cite web|date=2016-04-11|title=UK FinTech 'ripe for opportunities'|url=https://www.uktech.news/news/uk-fintech-ripe-for-opportunities-20160411|access-date=2022-01-27|website=UKTN {{!}} UK Tech News {{!}}|language=en-GB}}</ref> The CFIT had a soft launch in early 2022.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology - Steering Committee |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/centre-for-finance-innovation-and-technology-steering-committee |access-date=2022-11-17 |website=GOV.UK |language=en}}</ref>
Presenting the report to Parliament in April 2021, Rishi Sunak, then Chancellor of the Exchequer, concluded his speech by thanking Ron Kalifa and his team for their exceptional work in producing this “seminal review”.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Hansard|first=Parliament Uk|date=26 April 2021|title=Kalifa Review of UK FinTech|url=https://hansard.parliament.uk/commons/2021-04-26/debates/2104271000009/KalifaReviewOfUKFintech|access-date=|website=parliament.uk}}</ref>
==Honours and awards== Ron Kalifa ranked 3rd on the Financial Times EMPower top 100 Ethnic Minority Leaders list.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ranking: EMpower 100 ethnic minority leaders |url=https://www.ft.com/content/53cf6e1a-3fa9-11e7-82b6-896b95f30f58 |newspaper=Financial Times|date=25 May 2017 }}</ref> In 2019, he was given the Freedom of the City of London.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Freedom of the City |url=http://https//democracy.cityoflondon.gov.uk/mgAi.aspx?ID=86941 |website=City of London Corporation |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>
He was appointed Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE) in the 2018 New Year Honours for services to financial services and technology.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.businessinsider.com/here-are-all-the-uk-tech-figures-named-in-the-queens-new-years-honours-list-2017-12|title=Here are all the UK tech figures named in the Queen's New Year's Honours list|work=Business Insider}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=New Year's Honours 2018 CSV - GOV.UK|url=https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/671145/New_Year_Honours_List_2018_CSV_FINAL.csv/preview|access-date=2022-01-27|website=assets.publishing.service.gov.uk|language=en}}</ref> He was knighted in the 2022 Birthday Honours for services to financial services and technology and for public service.<ref>{{London Gazette|issue=63714|supp=y|page=B2|date=1 June 2022}}</ref>
In September 2022, Sir Ron was awarded an honorary doctorate in business administration from the University of East London's Royal Docks School of Business and Law.<ref>{{cite web |title=Entrepreneur receives honorary doctorate from UEL |url=https://www.uel.ac.uk/about-uel/news/2022/september/entrepreneur-receives-honorary-doctorate-uel |website=University of East London |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>
Now a member of the Main Committee for the honours system, Kalifa is Chair of the Sport Committee.<ref>{{cite web |title=The Honours System of the United Kingdom: Governance |url=https://honours.cabinetoffice.gov.uk/about/governance/#main |website=GOV.UK |access-date=2025-05-28}}</ref>
== References == {{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Kalifa, Ron}} Category:Living people Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:British businesspeople Category:Knights Bachelor Category:Parsi people Category:British people of Parsi descent Category:British Zoroastrians Category:1961 births