Building a Scalable Tech Org at Worldpay: Kirk Ball’s Carve-Out Playbook

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