Building a Scalable Tech Org at Worldpay: Kirk Ball’s Carve-Out Playbook
Description
What does it take to build a high-performing IT organization from scratch while navigating a carve-out, preparing for IPO, and pivoting into acquisition?
In this episode of Technovation, Kirk Ball, Chief Information Officer at Worldpay, shares his 15-month journey leading digital transformation, tech modernization, and cultural reinvention at a global payments company doing business in 135+ countries.
Ball reflects on the leadership decisions, cloud strategies, and AI integration efforts that helped stand up a scalable, resilient tech function, even as plans shifted from IPO to M&A.
Key Highlights:
How Kirk tripled Worldpay’s IT team post-spinout from FIS
Where AI is driving internal productivity and enterprise search
What it takes to build tech culture through transparency and inclusion
How to lead through uncertainty—while keeping operations stable
The CIO’s role in M&A readiness, from day one to long-term integration
United States
