The Future Entity Design Steering Group has appointed Ez Britton MBE as Independent Chair – a meaningful step in shaping what comes next for UK Open Banking.
The appointment matters for context. Since January 2018, Open Banking has moved from a regulatory mandate into core financial infrastructure. More than one billion payments have now been initiated through the UK’s major banks. More than 100 billion API calls have been made across the CMA9. Monthly API traffic reached a record 2.81 billion calls in June 2026.
The Future Entity is the governance and operational structure that will carry Open Banking forward beyond its current form. The design process – led by over 30 funders from across banks, fintechs, technical service providers, and schemes – is working toward a blueprint expected by the end of 2026. That blueprint will cover scope, capabilities, governance, and funding for a neutral, sustainable organisation capable of supporting the next phase of innovation.
Britton’s appointment signals that the process is progressing with genuine industry commitment. His background spans software development, C-Suite leadership, and complex multi-stakeholder initiatives – including his previous role as Chief Executive of the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology.
For platforms building on Open Banking infrastructure, a well-governed, independently-led Future Entity is the foundation that makes long-term investment in Open Banking connectivity a lower-risk decision. Stability in governance translates directly into confidence in the infrastructure.
The direction of travel is clear. The question is which platforms are positioned to build on it.
Read the full announcement: Future Entity Design Steering Group Appoints Ez Britton MBE as Independent Chair
About the Author
The Finexer Team is a collective of fintech engineers, payments specialists, and Open Banking experts working on financial infrastructure for UK businesses. Finexer builds API-driven solutions that allow companies to access real-time bank data, initiate Pay by Bank payments, and integrate financial services directly into their products.