PayPoint has recruited former American Express senior executive Seamus Smith as its first managing director for PayPoint UK.

The role has been created to give PayPoint's UK and Ireland operations its own senior management structure due to the company's expansion. As well as an operation in Romania, it also runs internet payment service PayPoint.net and PayByPhone, where consumers can pay for car parking via mobile phone.

Smith, who will report to PayPoint CEO Dominic Taylor, was previously vice president and general manager EMEA for American Express Global Network Services. He has also worked for GE Capital and the AA.

Smith said his priorities included supporting retailers to increase footfall and sales via PayPoint services. In the UK, it operates 23,000 terminals and 2,500 Link ATMs in chains including The Co-operative Group and Sainsbury's.

He will also look at the opportunities for links between its retail, online and phone payment businesses and Collect+, the parcel collection and drop-off service run as a joint venture with Yodel (formerly Home Delivery Network).

Earlier this month, PayPoint announced a 5.5% increase in pre-tax profits to £34.5m in the year to 27 March. However, the amount paid out in commission to retailers fell due to a fall in mobile top-ups and reduced commissions paid by mobile operators.

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