Gift card platform Tillo appoints Michael Tigwell to lead UK and EMEA

Tillo appointed Michael Tigwell as managing director for the UK and EMEA in July 2026, giving the gift card platform a regional leader while co-founder and CEO Alex Preece focuses on US expansion. The choice brings in an executive who previously bought Tillo's services at Benefex . [S01] A customer becomes an operator Tigwell spent eight years at Benefex, holding roles including chief customer officer and chief operating officer. Tillo highlighted his experience in service delivery, retention and organisational change. It said he worked through growth from 100 to 1,300 employees, a company-reported measure of Benefex's scale during that period. [S01] That background matters for a supplier whose customers build their own rewards and benefits products. Gift card technology is part of a longer chain: the business buyer funds a programme, a platform issues the reward and the recipient ultimately redeems it. Problems at one stage can become a support issue for several businesses. An international network needs regional execution Tillo sells businesses access to gift card brands through a common software connection. The appointment announcement described reach across 40 markets and 25 currencies. Preece said the regional leadership role was intended to support customers and teams while he concentrated on the United States. [S01] The commercial rationale is a division of attention. US expansion requires acquiring customers and adapting the proposition to another market; existing UK and EMEA customers still need account