Absa GroupManaging Director: Cards and Group Payments
Jan. 2007 - Jan. 2010Gauteng, South AfricaMy role in Absa Cards included a shift to best practice from an issuing, merchant acquiring, and fraud management perspective, which required significant operational restructuring and changes in strategy. Served on the Barclaycard global strategic leadership team and board of Barclaycard International. Sat on the BankServ Africa board as a non-executive director and Absa representative and was a member of a number of industry committees focused on developing and improving the national payment system and necessary regulatory frameworks. Delivered R2.4B PBT in 2010 as the MD of Barclaycard Africa, Absa Cards business, and group payments. Attained the most profitable card portfolio in Africa and increased market share via concise strategic planning, business and operating model change, and execution. The Payments instruments across the Absa Group had been used as loss leaders to gain new customer business, leading to significant losses at the payment level. By establishing notional P&Ls for each payment type, group level reporting, and a move to best practice, we significantly improved the profitability and sustainability of the Group Payments franchise.