Adyen vs Worldpay: Founders, CEOs and History
Adyen was founded in 2006 by Pieter van der Does, Arnout Schuijff and is led by Pieter van der Does and Ingo Uytdehaage. Worldpay was founded in 1971 by Nick Ogden and is led by Cameron Bready (CEO of parent Global Payments).
Company facts
Founders
Adyen
Pieter van der Does
Pieter van der Does co-founded Adyen in 2006 and serves as co-CEO. He led the company through its June 2018 Euronext Amsterdam listing and remains a member of the Management Board.
Arnout Schuijff
Arnout Schuijff co-founded Adyen and served as its Chief Technology Officer. He helped establish the technology platform built to replace fragmented payment systems.
Worldpay
Nick Ogden
Nick Ogden founded WorldPay in 1997 as one of the early services for accepting card payments online in multiple currencies. The business later became part of Royal Bank of Scotland's card processing operations. The current Worldpay, Inc.
CEOs and their tenures
Adyen
- Pieter van der Does2006–present
Co-CEO and Co-Founder
Co-founded Adyen, led it through its 2018 Euronext Amsterdam listing, and continues to oversee the company under the co-CEO structure.
Source - Ingo Uytdehaage2023–present
Co-CEO
Became co-CEO after serving as CFO and took responsibility for operations and product leadership.
Source
Worldpay
- Philip Jansen2013–2018
Chief Executive Officer, Worldpay Group plc (2013 - 2018)
Took the UK business from private equity ownership to a public listing and sale.
Source - Charles Drucker2024–2026
Chief Executive Officer (2024 - 2026)
Guided Worldpay's separation from FIS and its sale to Global Payments.
Source
Timeline: Adyen and Worldpay side by side
1971Worldpay
Fifth Third Bank forms Midwest Payment Systems.
1997Worldpay
Nick Ogden launches the original WorldPay online payment service in the UK.
2006Adyen
Adyen founded in Amsterdam
A group of payments entrepreneurs including Pieter van der Does and Arnout Schuijff founded Adyen.
2011Worldpay
Fifth Third Processing Solutions adopts the Vantiv name.
2012Adyen
North American office opened
Adyen opened its San Francisco office as it expanded its international merchant business.
2012Worldpay
Vantiv lists on the NYSE.
2014Adyen
Growth investment announced
General Atlantic and Temasek joined existing investors in a $250 million funding round.
2017Adyen
European banking license obtained
Adyen obtained a European banking license, expanding its ability to provide acquiring and settlement services.
2018Adyen
eBay payments partnership announced
eBay selected Adyen as a primary payments processing partner for its managed-payments transition.
2018Adyen
Euronext Amsterdam listing
Adyen began trading on Euronext Amsterdam on June 13, 2018 at an offer price of €240 per share.
2018Worldpay
Vantiv acquires Worldpay Group and becomes Worldpay, Inc.
2019Worldpay
FIS acquires Worldpay.
2021Adyen
US banking branch launched
Adyen launched its US banking branch after receiving federal and state approvals.
2022Adyen
Embedded financial products expanded
Adyen introduced business accounts and capital products for platform customers in addition to issuing.
2023Adyen
Co-CEO structure established
Ingo Uytdehaage became co-CEO alongside Pieter van der Does after shareholder approval.
2024Adyen
Annual processed volume exceeded ~$1.13 trillion (€1 trillion)
Adyen reported ~$1.45 trillion (€1.286 trillion) of processed volume and ~$2.28 billion (€2.015 billion) of net revenue for 2024.
2024Worldpay
GTCR closes its purchase of a 55% stake; Charles Drucker returns as CEO.
2025Adyen
Net revenue reached ~$2.67 billion (€2.3642 billion)
FY2025 net revenue rose 18% to ~$2.67 billion (€2.3642 billion); processed volume was separately reported at ~$1.58 trillion (€1.3943 trillion).
2026Adyen
Talon.One and Orb acquisitions closed
Adyen completed both acquisitions on July 1, adding loyalty and incentives technology from Talon.One and enterprise billing from Orb.
2026Worldpay
Global Payments completes its $24.25 billion acquisition of Worldpay.
Acquisitions
Worldpay
- Worldpay Group plc2018$10.4B
- Mercury Payment Systems2014$1.6B
- Litle & Co.2012$361M
Questions about Adyen vs Worldpay
Who is the CEO of Adyen N.V. and Worldpay, Inc.?
Adyen N.V. is led by Pieter van der Does and Ingo Uytdehaage and Worldpay, Inc. is led by Cameron Bready (CEO of parent Global Payments). Both serve as the top executive responsible for the company's strategy, operations, and financial performance.
When was Adyen N.V. founded vs Worldpay, Inc.?
Worldpay, Inc. was founded in 1971 — 35 years before Adyen N.V., which was founded in 2006. Worldpay, Inc.'s longer operating history gives it a deeper track record but also potentially more institutional inertia compared to the younger Adyen N.V..
How many employees does Adyen N.V. have compared to Worldpay, Inc.?
Adyen N.V. employs approximately 4,771 people, while Worldpay, Inc. employs approximately 8,500. Worldpay, Inc. has the larger workforce at 8,500 employees, compared to Adyen N.V.'s 4,771. A higher headcount does not necessarily imply greater efficiency — it often reflects differences in business model (e.g., manufacturing vs. software).
Where are Adyen N.V. and Worldpay, Inc. headquartered?
Adyen N.V. is headquartered in Netherlands and Worldpay, Inc. is headquartered in United States. Their different home markets mean they may face different regulatory frameworks, tax regimes, and currency exposure.
Who founded Adyen N.V. and Worldpay, Inc.?
Adyen N.V. was founded by Pieter van der Does, Arnout Schuijff. Worldpay, Inc. was founded by Nick Ogden.
Which company has a longer operating history — Adyen N.V. or Worldpay, Inc.?
Worldpay, Inc. has been operating for approximately 55 years, making it the more established of the two companies. Adyen N.V. has been in operation for around 20 years. A longer operating history often signals greater institutional resilience and brand recognition, though it can also mean slower adaptation to new market conditions.
Figures come from each company's filings and the sources linked beside them. Amounts reported in another currency are shown in US dollars at an approximate rate and marked with ~. Back to the Adyen vs Worldpay overview