HelpPay names former Red Energy, Medibank exec first CCO
New social fintech names digital leader Rowan Wilde as first Chief Customer Officer to spearhead growth strategy, digital experience.February 2, 2022 - HelpPay, a new social fintech that takes the stigma out of asking for help, has named former Red Energy and Medibank Private senior executive Rowan Wilde as the company’s first Chief Customer Officer.HelpPay turns every bill into a shareable link and payment page and uniquely, guarantees financial help given towards a bill goes straight through to the supplier. The 100% Australian owned company’s world-first, debt prevention technology takes the stigma out of asking for help and avoids the financial and mental health costs associated with debt collection.Mr Wilde has been working tirelessly to support Co-Founders Andrew Ellett and Adam Barty on HelpPay’s conception and development. He comes on board full-time to spearhead HelpPay’s marketing strategy and digital experience following the company’s successful $2.4 million Seed Capital Raise in November.Most recently, Mr Wilde was responsible for the digital experience of over one million customers as Head of Digital for Red Energy, the fourth largest energy retailer in the National Electricity Market and the retail arm of government-owned renewable energy giant Snowy Hydro. In his six years in the role, Mr Wilde was also responsible for customers of Lumo Energy and Direct Connect, which were acquired by Snowy Hydro for $605 million in 2014 and integrated into Red between 2017 and 2018.During his time at Red, Mr Wilde led digital strategy, customer experience and digital products for all digital assets and online channels. He secured eight-times online channel growth over a six year period and was shortlisted for the Association for Data-Driven Marketing and Advertising (ADMA) Awards in 2018 and 2019.Mr Wilde also spent time with NASA and Google in California to understand disruptive business models and methods including a senior leadership course at the Singularity University when it was in partnership with the US space agency.Before Red Energy, Mr Wilde served as Digital Marketing Lead for Medibank Private, Australia’s largest health insurer, during which time he helped launch the AHM brand that is still in use today and was shortlisted for another ADMA award. He also previously served as Marketing Manager for Australian Independent Business Media, including the Eureka Report and Business Spectator titles, before the group’s acquisition by News Limited for $30 million.HelpPay Co-Founder and Managing Director Andrew Ellett said, “Rowan is one of Australia’s most accomplished digital leaders. He knows what vulnerable customers of Australia’s largest energy and insurance companies need when they get into financial hardship and how to design an empathetic digital experience. Rowan is one of the main reasons HelpPay exists and is one of the main reasons it will succeed.”HelpPay Chief Customer Officer Rowan Wilde said, “What I learned from my time with Red Energy and Medibank is that our largest companies don’t want their customers getting into financial hardship. Debt prevention is good business. Not only is it a better experience for customers to avoid the debt cycle, it's cheaper for the company servicing that customer. Getting vulnerable customers back on their feet is a joint effort between the person’s provider and their loved ones. HelpPay is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for me to give back to the industries that have given me so much and help customers that really need it with a technology that I believe in.”
Media ContactAlexander Liddington-Coxalex@mediadistillery.com.au0474 701 469
About HelpPayHelpPay, a 100% Australian owned company, is a new social fintech and business platform with patent pending technology in the payments industry that takes the stigma out of asking for help and the effort of providing help. HelpPay turns every bill into a shareable link and payment page, and, uniquely, guarantees financial help given towards a bill only goes to the provider, never an individual. HelpPay has undertaken market research to address the pain points for customers and providers when handling debt. HelpPay takes all the pain points and customers' experience in the cycle of asking, giving and getting financial help today. HelpPay is also significantly cheaper for providers when managing their accounts receivable and less stressful for customers than traditional methods such as phone calls, sending letters and using debt collection agencies.