Pixpay CEO Cecile Marret Steps Down
Cecile Marret has announced her departure from Pixpay, the French financial education fintech for children owned by Acorns. Marret served as the company’s chief executive officer for the past two years before handing over the reins to co-founder Caroline Menager. The news comes via a LinkedIn post where Marret reflects on her time with the organization.
In her announcement, Marret noted that it is time to “open a NEW CHAPTER and to say goodbye to GoHenry and to Pixpay.” She described the last seven years as feeling like “20 years in achievements, efforts and joys,” adding that the experience kept her “curious mindset agile and nourished.”
The departure occurs amid a complex series of ownership changes recently affecting the firm.
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Ownership Shuffles
Marret was appointed CEO in late 2024. Before that, she spent over five years at GoHenry, Pixpay’s former parent company. She was part of the C-suite when the UK-based fintech acquired Pixpay in 2022. The corporate structure has been in flux since then. Less than a year after the acquisition, the US savings app Acorns bought both GoHenry and Pixpay to expand its services.
Earlier this year, in June, Acorns sold the core UK-based GoHenry entity to Barclays for an undisclosed fee. Acorns retained ownership of Pixpay, along with the US-based GoHenry division established in 2023. This transaction highlights a broader trend in the fintech sector where parent companies often divest specific geographic or product lines to focus on core markets.
It suggests a strategic pivot rather than a simple sale of assets, allowing Acorns to streamline its portfolio while letting Barclays integrate the UK user base.
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During her tenure at both GoHenry and Pixpay, Marret stated she experimented with “new forms of leading, ways of working, and technologies.” The combined platforms have grown to serve more than three million members across the UK and Europe. Marret’s leadership overlapped with these significant structural changes, requiring adaptation to new ownership structures and market positions.
Looking toward her next steps, Marret disclosed that her future role will involve “sharing time between Zurich and London.” She did not specify the new employer, stating simply that “More to be said soon on the next chapter.” The move suggests a potential return to the European financial hub, leveraging her extensive background in the region.
Caroline Menager, a co-founder of Pixpay, is now stepping in as CEO. She first announced her appointment to the role five months ago. Menager brings a long-term perspective to the company, having been involved since its inception. Her return to the top spot signals a focus on the company’s original mission and culture as it stabilizes under Acorns’ ownership. The transition appears to have been planned well in advance, ensuring a smooth handover of leadership responsibilities.
