ATVOD Chair to Lead Payments Forum

ATVOD Chair to Lead Payments Forum

LONDON — The chair of ATVOD was tapped today to also lead the British government’s Payments Strategy Forum, which is currently being assembled to bring together the U.K. payments industry and representatives of all those that use payment systems.

Ruth Evans will begin her new role on July 27 while still helming the title of chair for ATVOD, the British video-on-demand regulator that has stepped up its authority with recent legislation to outlaw VOD websites from containing "prohibited material" — content that would be denied a British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) certificate.

As chair of the Payments Strategy Forum, Evans will be responsible for guiding and progressing discussions among stakeholders, including card payment systems operated by Visa and MasterCard, as well as direct debit processors.

Evans’ slot will be independent of the industry but appointed by and accountable to the Payment Systems Regulator (PSR), the new economic regulator for U.K. payment systems that became fully operational in April.

The government-backed PSR has statutory objectives to promote competition and innovation in the interest of the people and organizations that use payment systems.

“Today we have also issued a call for members to help us find around 20 individuals in senior positions to populate the Forum,” PSR officials said. “These people will have the ability to shape and make decisions on strategy or policy within their organizations and the sector more broadly.”

The first Payments Strategy Forum meeting is expected to be held in the fall. A working group has been busy helping set the Forum up, including helping create draft terms of reference, PSR officials said.

In addition to chair of ATVOD, Evans is senior independent director of CPP Group PLC and nonexecutive director of the Serious Fraud Office, an agency operating under the superintendence of U.K.’s Attorney General.

   

View Payments Strategy Forum Q&A

Related:  

Copyright © 2025 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

British Documentary Spotlights XBIZ Amsterdam With Candid Conversations

British creator and host Josh Pieters traveled to XBIZ Amsterdam to film a documentary about the annual European adult industry conference.

XBIZ 2026 to Debut 'New Talent Go-See' Special Event

XBIZ 2026, North America’s premier adult industry conference, will debut a special event designed to help new talent jump-start their careers: the New Talent Go-See.

Penthouse Announces Digital Archive Launch

Penthouse Magazine has announced that it will launch a comprehensive digital archive in 2026.

Dreamcam Joins Pineapple Support as Supporter-Level Sponsor

Dreamcam has joined the ranks of over 70 adult businesses and organizations committing funds and resources to Pineapple Support.

AEBN Publishes Popular Searches by Country for August, September

AEBN has released the list of popular searches from its straight and gay theaters by country in August and September.

AV in Focus: A Guide to Unlocking Compliance With Clarity

The age verification era isn’t coming — it’s here. Laws are already on the books in numerous U.S. states, as well as in the U.K., France and beyond.

Canadian Privacy Commissioner Endorses National AV Bill

Philippe Dufresne, privacy commissioner of Canada, has voiced support for a bill that would impose fines of up to $500,000 on adult sites that do not implement age verification for Canadian viewers.

Ricky Johnson Launches 'Ricky's Resort' Through YourPaysitePartner

Ricky's Room studio honcho Ricky Johnson has launched his latest site, RickysResort.com, through YourPaysitePartner (YPP).

Industry Attorney Paul Cambria Retires After 50 Years of Practicing Law

After more than a half-century in practice, during which he provided the defense in some of the adult industry's most notable legal cases, attorney Paul Cambria has retired.

2026 XMA Nominations Party Set for Nov. 19 in Hollywood

The 2026 XMA nominations reveal party will take place at Keys on the Sunset Strip on Wednesday, Nov. 19, with red-carpet arrivals starting at 8 p.m.

Show More