In a rapidly evolving payments ecosystem, where data-driven decision-making, innovation and commercial optimisation are critical, Ross Mclntyre, Associate at Payments Consulting Network, brings a rare blend of analytics depth and industry experience. With a background that spans product design, market research and financial modelling, his career has taken him from venture capital and strategic planning at First Data to more than a decade of consulting with Payments Consulting Network (PCN). His work has touched every corner of the payments value chain, from merchant acquiring to ATM services with M&A support, pricing strategies, RFP leadership, and industry research.

Since joining PCN in 2013, Ross has supported banks, fintechs, and merchants through complex projects requiring rigorous, evidence-based insights. In this conversation, he reflects on his path into payments, his approach to serving clients, and how he stays ahead of emerging trends in data science, fintech and the broader payments landscape, while also sharing his interests in sustainability and outdoor adventures.

Read the full interview below.

AJ Llanos: Can you describe your previous roles and how they contributed to your expertise in RFP and Data Science in payments?

Ross McIntyre: I was always interested in product development, innovation and bringing new things to market. Following an undergraduate degree in product development, then a masters in applied finance, I worked for a venture capital agency. I prepared information memoranda for clients raising capital in diverse industries like building materials, agriculture, software, and medical equipment. This gave me a good foundation in financial modelling and business planning.

My initial exposure to the payments industry came in 2005, when I joined the Decision Support team at First Data International in Sydney. There, I was the lead financial analyst for key business development initiatives with eftpos, Cuscal, Indue, large and mid-tier banks, mutuals, major retailers, and a large joint venture with Standard Chartered across Southeast Asia. This gave me in-depth exposure to transaction switching, processing, settlement, ATMs, merchant acquiring, and fraud management. I led internal projects like end-to-end supply chain restructures, technology upgrades, and supported long-range planning and product pricing strategies. I also built and maintained automated tools like the “profit worker” for sales teams to help grow merchant acquiring and ATMs business profitably.

Since 2013, I’ve been an Associate at Payments Consulting Network (PCN). My consulting engagements have included RFPs for merchant services and payments orchestration, data analytics for bank ATM performance, and industry research. I’ve authored articles and conducted Q&As with industry leaders, and moderated roundtables on subjects like AI and automation.

I am also a co-founder and Director of an energy efficiency consulting business using data benchmarking, load monitoring, and machine learning for sustainability reports. Related to this I recently completed a masters thesis examining the impact of energy efficiency targets on home prices, which has helped to strengthen my data science expertise.

AL: What led you to focus on data-driven projects and RFP support within the payments industry?

RM: I have always had a natural aptitude for coding and data analysis. Following my interests led me to developing skills in the financial assessment of new business initiatives. My professional focus stems from my early experiences at First Data, where I applied analytics in support of new product launches, and in optimising pricing strategies, payments processes, and supply chain restructures.

When I joined PCN in 2013, the opportunity to apply this to consulting felt like a natural progression. This gave me exposure to a broader range of payments industry technology and participants. It allowed me to leverage my financial modelling background and combine it with emerging data science techniques, including machine learning and advanced statistical analysis from my academic studies.

AL: How do you approach analysing data or structuring insights for payment-related RFPs or consulting projects?

RM: I would always start with making clear what the client’s objectives are and keep coming back to that. That doesn’t directly answer your question, but I think it’s a good point to start off with.

The analytics work varies. RFPs are typically focused on price outcomes, whereas supply chain optimisation projects will have performance based targets, like reducing ATM downtime. Once objectives are established we usually advance to data collection, cleaning, and analysis. This involves engaging with people across the clients business and their business partners to obtain data access in an agreed confidential and secure process.

My personal KPI on what I deliver to the client is how quickly and clearly they understand the key insights from my analysis. The presentation of findings starts with re-iterating the objectives, followed by carefully constructed tables, charts and key points that communicate the findings as clearly and efficiently as possible. If they move on quickly without getting bogged down, then that’s usually a good sign.

AL: What part of the RFP process do you find most rewarding or challenging, and why?

RM: The most rewarding thing is, if you find something that’s very valuable to the client. It is the surfacing of good insights and recommendations for clients. Often this is simply securing the best commercial terms. However, it sometimes includes strategic advice that helps clients improve business outcomes. For myself, I also just enjoy learning about different companies and what they’re doing. Working in payments gives you very broad exposure to different industries.

The most challenging aspect is navigating data complexity and stakeholder alignment early on, especially with diverse datasets across multiple countries and evolving regulations. Data analysis sometimes involves examining the deepest details of company operations. This requires developing your understanding beyond the numbers, which often leads to unexpected discoveries. These may be valuable to the client, but can also be a distraction. That’s why it’s critical to establish the objectives clearly at the outset and stay focused.

AL: How do you stay ahead of emerging trends in payments and data science?

RM: For payments it’s pretty much exclusively what I’m doing with Payments Consulting Network, newsletters, going to conferences, round tables, research, and collaborations.

I regularly attend and contribute to events like eTail Australia, the London Payments Leaders’ Summit, and Corinium’s CDAO Conference. I’ve moderated roundtables and covered topics like digital transformation, AI and automation, predictive modelling, navigating economic recovery, and founders stories. I read publications like Payments Innovation Daily, which I’ve contributed to via PCN, and follow advancements in fintech, AI, and machine learning through journals and online resources. I also participate in presentations, consultations and research projects.

On the data analytics side, my academic connections keep me up to date on emerging tech like AI and predictive analytics. My recent masters thesis gives me a focal point for evaluating related papers. I actively look for different approaches or methodologies that others have used. It gives me fresh perspectives on how people are doing things from an analytical perspective.

AL: How long have you been with PCN, and what value have you gained from being part of the network?

RM: I’ve been an Associate with PCN for about 12 years now. It has connected me with a global network of payments experts, allowing collaboration on diverse projects across merchant acquiring, fintech, ATMs, and fraud. I’ve gained insights from regions beyond Australia, like the Asia Pacific and Europe, which have broadened my perspective. PCN’s emphasis on best practices and innovation has kept me abreast of industry developments. It has also opened doors to moderating industry panels and high profile Q&A interviews.

AL: What do you enjoy doing in your free time?

RM: I’m interested in environmental sustainability, which ties into my research work at UNSW. I enjoy travel and outdoor a

ctivities like bush walking, cycling, and hiking in Sydney’s nearby national parks or exploring eco-friendly initiatives and green technology. I also enjoy reading up on fintech trends, such as financial inclusion, tinkering with personal data projects, and gaming days with friends, which is usually chess or backgammon, but sometimes karaoke or the latest video games.

AL: What is something about you that most people in the industry wouldn’t know?

RM: Many in payments know me for my analytics work, but fewer realise my undergraduate degree is in user-centric design and development from UNSW. Early in my career, I developed products for BHP Steel and a tableware company under an R&D grant. This is quite a shift from fintech, but it taught me the fundamentals of product development and marketing.

Another thing I did for a good period of time was Dragon Boat Racing. I got really committed to it and ended up representing Australia in both the Asian Championships and the World Championships. That’s a while ago now though. If I got back into it I would now qualify for the masters, in terms of age that is.

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Author: AJ Llanos, Client Services Manager, Manila, Payments Consulting Network 

AJ has five years of experience in payments through her work at PCN and ANZ Bank, where she gained expertise in wholesale and commercial banking payments in Australia, covering both domestic and international transactions.

She also has a background in legal loan documentation at ANZ and customer service from her work in the airline industry. Her diverse experience has enabled her to efficiently manage merchant pricing, market research, and marketing at PCN.

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