Exclusive: G+D's Gabrielle Bugat discusses future innovations in ePayments

The CEO of Giesecke+Devrient (G+D) ePayments, has no doubt had a distinguished international career in the payments technology sector.

Reflecting on her professional journey during a recent interview with TechDay, Bugat said, "When I started, I wanted to code  to grasp the essence of software products, and I was told that becoming a product manager was a good way to go."

Her career began with a product management role in Paris before moving to Mexico, where she served as the technical manager for the Latin American region, handling banking and transit solutions. After several years in sales and international responsibilities, Bugat joined G+D seven years ago.

She now oversees a €1 billion global payments business, Financial platforms - one of G+D's 3 pillars, that spans both physical and digital factories.

At the core of G+D's mission, Bugat explained, is the idea that payments are evolving rapidly.

"Payment technologies are so dynamic," she said. "There's so much happening, and it's incredibly different across regions."

Bugat was familiar with the security industry before joining G+D but noted that the company's unique approach sets it apart.

"G+D has payments in its DNA," she expressed. "It's a family-owned business that's been around for 172 years. Two-thirds of its business revolves around payments."

A key part of Bugat's role involves anticipating what payments will look like in the future. "We have to think, what will payments be in 10 or 20 years from now? That's the challenge," she said.

Prioritising reliable, secure service

Bugat's focus at G+D revolves around three key priorities: delivering reliable service to customers, staying ahead of market demands, and identifying global trends early. "We are committed to cards, and the demand is constantly evolving," Bugat explained. "The card business is very dynamic. Customers are asking for sustainable and luxury cards. Today, we see eco-plastics like ocean plastics, wooden cards, metal cards and even ceramic cards."

The shift toward sustainability is crucial for G+D, which aims to stop using virgin plastic by 2030. "We were the first to issue sustainable products like PLA in Australia," Bugat noted. "We're committed to offering more eco-friendly options."

In addition to physical products, Bugat emphasised the importance of digital solutions, for eCommerce and to enhance user experience overall. "We're trying to create an Amazon-like experience for card provisioning. It's about delivering seamless, secure digital transactions, regardless of the device," she said. The term she used to describe this approach is "phygital"—combining physical and digital solutions.

Staying ahead in security

With the growth of digital payments comes the increasing threat of fraud, a challenge G+D is well-equipped to tackle. "Security keeps us busy," Bugat stated. "We have to be one step ahead of fraudsters at all times. The more digital we become, the more security measures we need."

Bugat highlighted the evolution of the Australian market, which has been proactive in addressing fraud through collaboration and best practices. "Australia has faced its challenges with fraud, but the market has come together to find solutions. It's a great example of how information-sharing can drive security improvements."

She also pointed to India's rapid development as a source of inspiration. "India launched UPI for payment inclusion in 2016. Now, over 350 million people use it. They've built bridges between instant payments and credit accounts in a very short time."

Global trends and local insights

As G+D operates in a global market, Bugat often looks for trends that can be applied across regions. "Australia is a wonderful place to observe trends," she said. "It's like a laboratory of what can happen globally. I see things here that often replicate in Canada, Europe, and beyond."

G+D's long-standing presence in Australia, with over 100 employees and production centres in Melbourne and Sydney, has helped the company lead in innovations like the first digital wallets in the country. "Australia is very mobile-savvy and pragmatic," Bugat remarked. "It was one of the first markets to adopt tokenisation, which protects eCommerce by ensuring that payment details are secure."

Embracing inclusivity and sustainability

For G+D, the future of payments is not only about technological advancement but also about inclusivity and accessibility. Bugat explained that the company is working closely with associations to ensure their products are accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities. "Inclusion by design is a core principle for us," she said. "We've held workshops with associations and our own employees to make sure we're addressing accessibility from the start."

In addition to inclusivity, sustainability remains a key focus. G+D has been at the forefront of developing sustainable banking products.

"We've pledged to stop issuing virgin plastic products by 2030, and now we're working with partners who collect ocean plastics and innovate with other eco-friendly materials," Bugat said. "Sustainability is at the heart of what we do."

Despite the challenges, Bugat is optimistic about G+D's role in leading the transformation of the payments industry. "Transformation is at the core of what we do. We've been here for 172 years, so you can imagine the number of transformations we've undergone," she said.

Part of this transformation involves embracing new technologies and investing in digital solutions. "We've acquired companies to bring in new skill sets and enhance our digital offerings," Bugat noted. "This allows us to not only say we're a leader in paytech but to deliver on that promise."

Looking to the future

Looking ahead, Bugat is focused on ensuring G+D remains a key player in the rapidly changing payment landscape.

"It's all about staying ahead, identifying trends early, and meeting the needs of our customers—both physical and digital," she said.

As Australia continues to be a testing ground for new payment technologies, Bugat sees opportunities to learn from the country's innovations. "Australia is mobile-driven and security-focused, which makes it an exciting market to watch," she added.

"The future of payments is evolving rapidly, and we're committed to staying at the forefront of that change."