Event details
Providing a blend of payment options to service the needs of communities and local authorities.
This webinar will explore how modern payment solutions have been blended with cash options to deliver better outcomes for recipients and local authorities.
Delegates will gain a clear understanding of all the payment methods available today, how these options can be tailored to support vulnerable members of the community, and when cash remains appropriate versus when digital or managed payments deliver greater impact. Through practical examples, the session will demonstrate how payments can help local authorities meet key goals such as financial inclusion, safeguarding, efficiency, and improved oversight—while addressing real‑world challenges like accessibility, cost control and fraud prevention.
Attendees will leave informed, confident and better equipped to choose the right payment approach for different situations, enabling them to serve their communities more effectively.
Presenters
Mark Bufton
Sr. Business Development Manager
Blackhawk Network (BHN)
Mark works across public sector payments, crisis support and customer engagement solutions at BHN EMEA Ltd, with a particular focus on how financial support reaches people in real-world settings. His work spans prepaid, voucher and cash-out solutions, helping organisations balance flexibility, dignity and operational control in areas such as welfare support, cost of living assistance and community programmes. He has a strong interest in human behaviour, relationships and systems thinking, particularly in how people and organisations respond under pressure.
Gareth Evans
Director
Cash Perks and Financial Inclusion Centre
Gareth is leading authority on financial inclusion, community finance and local welfare provision, with over 20 years’ experience. He is Co-Director of the not-for-profit Financial Inclusion Centre, and recently sat on the HM Treasury Financial Inclusion Policy Forum.
In 2020, Gareth founded Cash Perks – a multi award-winning cash payment facility that works with 65+ councils, housing associations and charities enabling them to disburse over £13 million in emergency welfare funds that can be collected by clients 24/7 at local ATMs nationwide – without the need for a bank card.
Gareth Evans - www.linkedin.com/in/garethevansgreconsulting
Cllr Wendy Taylor
Chair of the LGA’s Health and Wellbeing Committee
Newcastle City Council
Zain Razvi
Crisis and Resilience Fund Lead, POLICY GROUP Poverty, Families and Disadvantage Directorate,
DWP
Zain Razvi leads the Crisis and Resilience Fund team at the Department for Work and Pensions. He has been involved in the Crisis and Resilience Fund from the outset, including co-designing the fund with local authorities and third party organisations. Previously, Zain has held a number of roles across Government including on Universal Credit Policy, Disadvantaged Groups Strategy and the Household Support Fund.