Tide appoints former Klarna exec as CDTO. By Dalvinder Kular 20/03/2026 Tide has announced the appointment of Bernie Miles as chief data and technology officer (CDTO) to lead a global team of more than 700 engineers. Miles joins the firm from payment software company PPRO, where he held the role of chief technology officer for over four years. He has also worked at payment services firm Klarna, where he spent more than four years in senior roles, and at online retailer Wayfair, where he served as head of global payments and fraud. In his new role at the London-based FinTech specialising in business banking and management services, Miles will support the development of services including finance, admin, cash management and other products used by small businesses. As part of his remit, Miles will lead a global engineering team across the UK, Bulgaria, Serbia, Romania, Lithuania and India. He will report to Tide's chief executive, Oliver Prill. "Bernie is a proven technology leader with world-class experience in building and scaling complex platforms in high-growth, customer-centric environments," Prill said. "His track record of delivering reliable, mission-critical platforms makes him an outstanding addition to our executive team, and I'm delighted to welcome him to Tide." Earlier this month, Tide launched a mobile phone service for small businesses embedded directly in the Tide app. Tide Business Phone Number (BPN), rolled out in partnership with mobile infrastructure provider Gigs, enables members to set up and manage a dedicated business mobile line from within their existing Tide account. Tide claims the move marks the first time a business banking provider has integrated a full mobile plan with a UK phone number directly into its platform. The launch is aimed at helping Tide's nearly 800,000 UK members - representing around 14 per cent of the small business market - separate their personal and professional lives more effectively.

PPRO and PayPal enable Swish payments for global eCommerce. In a significant development for the eCommerce landscape, PPRO has partnered with PayPal to integrate the popular Swedish mobile payment service, Swish, into PayPal's platform. This collaboration allows millions of Swedish consumers to utilize their preferred domestic payment method while shopping with international online merchants. The integration of Swish into PayPal. The integration connects Swish's user base of approximately 8.7 million people to PayPal's extensive global merchant network. This means that Swedish consumers can now pay at thousands of online stores worldwide using a payment method that is already widely adopted in their home country. The combination of PPRO's local payments infrastructure with PayPal's cross-border commerce capabilities aims to simplify international transactions for both consumers and merchants. Growing eCommerce market in Sweden. Sweden's eCommerce market is on a notable upward trajectory, with online sales projected to reach nearly $15 billion by 2025. This growth reflects Sweden's status as one of the most digitally mature consumer markets in Europe. Furthermore, Swedish shoppers are increasingly purchasing from international retailers. According to PayPal, a remarkable 82% of its users in Sweden made at least one purchase from a foreign merchant in 2025. Benefits for consumers and merchants. Simon Nilsson, Chief Business Officer at Swish, emphasized that this integration extends the reach of a trusted domestic payment method into global online commerce. He stated, "This is a natural step in making Swish available in more eCommerce contexts by connecting a payment method trusted by millions of Swedes with PayPal's global platform. Together, we make it easier for merchants worldwide to meet Swedish consumers with a payment experience that feels familiar, simple, and secure." For merchants, the addition of Swish aims to reduce checkout friction when selling to Swedish customers. Offering a payment option that aligns with local consumer preferences is crucial, especially in cross-border eCommerce, where unfamiliar checkout options can lead to higher cart abandonment rates. Connecting local payment ecosystems with global commerce. Motie Bring, CEO of PPRO, noted that this collaboration reflects a broader effort to connect local payment ecosystems with global digital commerce. "By integrating Swish into PayPal's platform, we are connecting global merchants with one of the most digitally advanced consumer markets in the world. This isn't just about adding a payment method; it's about giving Swedish shoppers the checkout experience they trust while enabling merchants to expand into new markets with ease," he explained. Conclusion. The partnership between PPRO and PayPal marks a pivotal moment in the evolution of global eCommerce, particularly for Swedish consumers. By allowing them to use Swish, a familiar and trusted payment method, the integration not only enhances the shopping experience but also facilitates international sales for merchants. As the eCommerce landscape continues to evolve, such collaborations will be essential in meeting the diverse needs of consumers worldwide. Frequently asked questions. What is Swish? Swish is a mobile payment service widely used in Sweden, allowing users to make instant payments using their smartphones. It is particularly popular for peer-to-peer transactions and is increasingly being adopted for online shopping. How does the integration of Swish with PayPal benefit consumers? The integration allows Swedish consumers to use their preferred payment method, Swish, when shopping at international online merchants. This enhances their shopping experience by providing a familiar, simple, and secure payment option. Why is local payment integration important for merchants? Integrating local payment methods like Swish is crucial for merchants as it reduces checkout friction and aligns with local consumer preferences. This can lead to lower cart abandonment rates and increased sales from international customers. Note: The information provided in this article is based on the latest developments in the eCommerce sector and aims to give insights into the partnership between PPRO and PayPal. Disclaimer: eDevelop provides blog and information for general awareness purposes only. While eDevelop strive for accuracy, eDevelop do not guarantee the completeness or reliability of any content. Opinions expressed are those of the authors and not necessarily of eDevelop. eDevelop is not liable for any actions taken based on the information published. Content may be updated or changed without prior notice.

PPRO launches 'Buy Now Pay Local' to simplify BNPL. By vriti gothi. PPRO has launched Buy Now Pay Local, an integrated solution designed to simplify access to Europe's high-growth Buy Now, Pay Later (BNPL) ecosystem. The new offering enables Payment Service Providers (PSPs) and merchants to integrate a curated range of locally preferred BNPL options through a single, streamlined connection, empowering businesses to deliver trusted, market-specific payment experiences across the continent. BNPL continues to be one of the most dynamic segments in the global payments industry, now accounting for approximately 5% of global eCommerce transactions. With the market projected to grow by nearly 70% between 2024 and 2030 and eight of the world's top ten BNPL markets based in Europe, the opportunity for merchants to expand reach and foster loyalty through flexible, localised payment options has never been greater. Addressing the complexity of a fragmented landscape of more than 200 BNPL providers worldwide, PPRO's Buy Now Pay Local solution consolidates access through one secure integration. At launch, the platform features leading local partners including BNP Paribas FinTech Floa, Scalapay, and BLIK Pay Later, giving PSPs and merchants immediate connectivity to high-performance regional payment methods. "Europe's payments landscape is evolving fast, with local BNPL providers dominating key eCommerce markets such as France and Poland, and fast gaining market share from global giants in others," said Motie Bring, CEO at PPRO. "For merchants and PSPs, the ability to offer trusted local payment experiences is no longer optional, and with BNPL being one of the fastest growing payment types, it's a growth imperative," he added. The Buy Now Pay Local solution enables businesses to achieve pan-European BNPL coverage through a curated network of local providers, helping merchants boost conversions and average order value while building consumer trust through frictionless, familiar checkout experiences. Backed by PPRO's deep regional expertise, the platform also delivers actionable market insights to help PSPs and merchants respond effectively to evolving consumer payment preferences.