• Payfast by Network has announced the internal appointment of its CCO, David Adams to Managing Director.
• The incoming MD has worked within Network International before joining Payfast last year.
• Adams replaces Brendon Williamson who has been with Network International for a decade.

One of the more popular payment platforms in South Africa, Payfast, has announced a change in leadership this week.

Founded in 2007, Payfast rose to the top of the ranks of payment processors in South Africa. By 2019, Network International took notice, acquired the firm and it became Payfast by Network. Today, Payfast boasts a customer base of over 100 000 businesses.

This week, Payfast announced that Brendon Williamson would step down as managing director (MD), a role he has held since 2021. Taking up the mantle of MD will be David Adams who has returned to Payfast as its chief commercial officer in 2023.

According to his LinkedIn profile, Adams started his career at Mastercard as a Product Manager in 2007. He then moved to Network International where he was Senior Vice President, Group Acceptance and Digital Products before ultimately graduating to Network International’s Vice President, head of e-comm/gateway products.

As mentioned, Adams then joined Payfast in April 2023.

“On behalf of the Payfast team, we want to extend our thanks to Brendon for his commitment to innovation and encouraging people to push the boundaries of what is possible. I look forward to steering Payfast through its next phase of growth and success as part of Network International,” Adams said in a media statement.

The MD’s predecessor leaves a legacy of major achievements behind. During his time at Payfast, Williamson oversaw several acquisitions and mergers. He also assisted in consolidating a number of brands specifically Payfast, Paygate, SiD, VCs and DPO Pay under the Network International umbrella.

As such, Williamson is leaving big shoes for Adams to fill, especially considering the outgoing MD has been a part of the broader Network International group for over a decade.

Adams’ experience with the likes of Mastercard will serve Payfast well as it navigates a growing space with competitors emerging almost every month.