Future Entity Design Steering Group appoints Ezechi Britton MBE as independent chair    

Source: WA Comms / The Future Entity Design Steering Group

The Future Entity Design Steering Group today announces the appointment of Ezechi (Ez) Britton MBE as independent chair of the Steering Group. Open Banking Limited (OBL), as neutral facilitator of the Future Entity Design Programme, is issuing this press release on behalf of the Steering Group.

The appointment marks significant progress in the development of the Future Entity. An industry-led process to design the Future Entity was established in July 2026, with OBL appointed by industry to convene participants from across the ecosystem and facilitate the process. The programme structure includes a Working Group comprised of over 30 funders from across the breadth of the ecosystem including banks, data and payments-focussed fintechs, technical service providers and schemes.

The Steering Group has been established with representative membership across these categories, to act as the decision-making body. Collectively, these industry leaders are driving forward the UK’s evolution of Open Banking.

A leading figure in the UK fintech and innovation ecosystem, Britton brings more than 20 years’ experience building, scaling and supporting technology businesses.  He began his career as a software developer before moving into advisory and c-suite roles, becoming the first chief executive of the Centre for Finance, Innovation and Technology (CFIT).

In his current role as chief executive officer of Collectively Better, he works with founders, corporates and ecosystem partners to build, shape and scale ambitious ventures. He is also a member of the Government’s Smart Data Council, and is currently leading the working group focused on supporting private sector investment in Smart Data.

Britton’s experience of complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives, combined with his understanding of Open Banking and the wider Smart Data landscape, were key factors in the Steering Group’s decision to appoint him as chair of the Future Entity Design Steering Group.

Work has been underway on the design of a detailed blueprint and implementation plan for the Future Entity, which is expected by the end of the year. This will include all aspects of design for a neutral, sustainable and trusted Future Entity that can support future innovation, including its scope, capabilities, governance and funding model.

This work is progressing alongside development of  secondary legislation for Open Banking and will contribute to the implementation of the Long‑Term Regulatory Framework (LTRF), the advancement of A2A payments in line with the Government’s National Payments Vision and building a true Smart Data economy in the UK.

Since its launch in January 2018, Open Banking has evolved from a regulatory initiative into a core part of the UK’s financial infrastructure, underpinning innovation, competition and growth across payments, lending, money management and beyond. The decisions made through the Future Entity design process will shape the UK’s ability to build on the success of Open Banking and the value it delivers for consumers and businesses every day.

Speaking on his appointment, Ezechi Britton MBE, said: “Open Banking has become one of the UK’s biggest financial innovation successes, helping to create more competition, better services and new ways for consumers and businesses to manage their money. The Future Entity design work is an important opportunity to build on that foundation and shape the next phase of Open Banking in a way that is trusted, resilient and capable of supporting long-term growth.

“I’m pleased to be appointed as independent chair of the Future Entity Design Steering Group. This is a collaborative, industry-led process, and my role will be to help bring participants together, support balanced discussion, and ensure the key choices around the Future Entity are worked through openly and practically. It is essential that the process and any decisions made reflects the wider ecosystem, including organisations and users who may sit outside the formal Steering Group process.”

Further reading: Updates on Open Banking Future Entity and framework in Mansion House speech