Wagepoint appoints a new CEO to steer their growth in the subsequent phase
## New Chief Executive Officer Announced at Wagepoint: Ben Richmond
### Background
Ben Richmond, a seasoned fintech leader with over 15 years of experience, has been appointed as the new President and Chief Executive Officer of Wagepoint, a Canadian fintech company specializing in payroll and HR software for small businesses. Most recently, Richmond served as the Managing Director for North America at Xero, a well-known accounting software firm.
### Role
In his new role at Wagepoint, Richmond will lead the company's growth strategy, building on his expertise in serving small and medium-sized businesses. He will also join Wagepoint's Board of Directors, effective August 18, 2025, succeeding Bill Hewitt, who was interim CEO and will remain on the Board.
### Vision for the Company's Future
Richmond's vision for Wagepoint involves driving the company's next stage of growth as it rolls out Wagepoint 2.0, the next generation of its payroll platform. This modernized version aims to enhance processing speed, improve automation, bolster compliance tools, and refresh the user experience. Richmond's strategy focuses on digitizing Canadian small businesses, leveraging his experience in payments and go-to-market strategies.
### Key Elements of His Strategy
- **Familiarity with the Canadian Landscape**: Richmond's deep understanding of the Canadian business environment makes him a natural fit for leading Wagepoint's expansion. - **Small Business Focus**: He emphasizes the importance of small businesses in the economy and aims to enhance Wagepoint's value proposition for these clients. - **Growth and Innovation**: Richmond is poised to drive innovation and growth at Wagepoint, enhancing the company's position in the payroll and HR software market for small businesses.
Rick Essex, Managing Director at PSG Equity, the growth equity firm backing Wagepoint since 2014, believes that Richmond's track record of expanding markets by delivering exceptional client value makes him an ideal leader for Wagepoint's next stage of growth.
Founded in 2012, Wagepoint serves over 25,000 small businesses, accountants, and bookkeepers across Canada. The company's growth and innovation under Richmond's leadership are expected to further cement its position in the Canadian fintech landscape.
- Ben Richmond's extensive experience in fintech, particularly his work with small and medium-sized businesses, positions him well to lead Wagepoint's growth strategy in the business sector.
- In collaboration with technology, Richmond aims to modernize Wagepoint's payroll platform, improving automation, compliance tools, and the user experience, enhancing the company's offerings in the technology-driven payroll and HR software market for small businesses.
