Gavin Lane SVP, Payments and Reconciliations Introduction and what your role is at EQ
I have recently transitioned into a new global role within EQ; SVP, Payments and Reconciliations, reporting directly to our Chief Operating Officer. My responsibilities include safeguarding Equiniti’s financial integrity by managing global dividend processing, payments, escheatment, banking operations, reconciliation and corporate actions settlement. Joining the new COO leadership team within EQ is super exciting as we realign our teams to the new global operating model, enabling digital-first, data-driven, scalable and agile operations.
What office are you located at?
The Worthing office, which is located 30 minutes from my home. The office is buzzing with energy and is a hub of fantastically talented industry and operational experts; every day is a learning day when in the office with my friends and colleagues.
What’s happened in your career up to this point?
I have worked in the business for almost 30years; my journey taking me to the US, India, Japan and across Europe. The first 20+ year of my career was working in Corporate Actions. During this time I had the privilege of leading the execution of many of the largest, high profile Corporate Events seen in the UK; the mega capital raises by the banks in the late noughties, the £7bn National Grid rights issue in 2024 - still standing as the largest online rights issue the UK market has ever seen - and the Royal Mail flotation and its subsequent sale just last year in 2025.
In 2019 I was given the opportunity to lead the UK operation, working with a quite exceptional ‘global’ team, allowing multi-territory servicing and resilience. During the last two years I’ve had the privilege of moving into a transformational role, developing and driving legacy change into our business and industry. This has involved several initiatives surrounding global settlement and payments, and DEMAT, the most exciting and forward thinking change our industry has embarked in 30years.
What do you like about EQ?
The ambition of EQ: being part of an ambitious organisation, drives ambition, motivation and passion from within, and for me there is nothing more powerful than that.
And, being involved in the most significant industry transformation in the UK in three decades, DEMAT, amid the rapid pace of technological advancement that is reshaping customer expectations and demands, makes EQ an exceptionally dynamic company to be a part of; there has never been a more exciting time to be a part of the EQ journey.
What's your biggest EQ achievement?
I have two.
The first was when I took the role of operations director for our UK business, the responsibility of leading c.900 colleagues from across the Uk and India was a huge privilege; during my time in this role we built a highly engaged, high-performing global operation, which to this day still makes me feel very proud.
And secondly was when I was invited to Tokyo with a colleague to support the structural design of the £46bn Takeda offer for Shire Pharmaceuticals Corporate Action, the largest deal in Japan’s history; again, a huge privilege and responsibility that I will never forget.
What are you looking forward to in the future at EQ?
EQs key principles, ‘being customer obsessed’, ‘being ambitious’ and ‘being committed to deliver’ resonate with the motivation that I’ve held throughout my career in Corporate Actions and Operations. This renewed passion and drive within EQ is super exciting for our clients, our business and our colleagues, as we invest and commit to being the undisputed number one business in the market. There has never been a more exciting time to be part of the next phase of our EQ journey.
Do you have a fun fact to share?
I enjoy watching motorsport, but in the early 1990s I competed and won races at a motorsport World Championships.
A big thank you to Gavin for sharing his thoughts with us.