Visa bolsters leadership with two new senior appointments

Visa has bolstered its leadership with two senior appointments in the APAC region. Chris Clark (pictured left) is elevated from regional president to chairman, Asia Pacific, and Stephen Karpin (pictured right) is named as his successor as regional president, Asia Pacific. Both changes are effective 1 April 2023. 

In the role of chairman, Asia Pacific, Clark will support regional and global initiatives, including strategic engagements with government and industry stakeholders, drive Visa’s market expansion strategy and continue his role as a non-executive director of the Visa Europe Board.

Over the last ten years as regional president for Visa Asia Pacific, Clark has been committed to expanding the reach of electronic payments and growing the business by forging strong client and partner relationships, driving digital innovation in the regional payments ecosystem and building new partnerships with established and start-up fintechs, according to Clark.

“I am excited to step into this new role, and I know that Karpin is the right person to drive strong growth for the business of all our clients and partners,” he said.

Meanwhile, Karpin will be responsible for the full business operations, client management and go-to-market plans for the region, based in Visa’s regional headquarters in Singapore.

Karpin said: “In his 20-year career at Visa, Clark has shown exemplary leadership, more than doubling the size of our Asia Pacific business.  In addition to his expansive business aptitude, Clark is known for his deep commitment to our clients and teams across our markets. I look forward to following the path he has set, continuing to work closely with our clients and partners, expanding our relationships and ensuring that Visa Asia Pacific remains among the best places to work and achieve.” 

Karpin has a deep background in the payments industry and knowledge of Asia Pacific markets, beginning his career at Visa in 2014 as group country manager Australia, New Zealand & South Pacific.

In 2017 he was appointed as regional group country manager, Southeast Asia, and since 2019 he has served as country manager, Japan, Visa’s largest Asia Pacific market. Previously, he spent 17 years in senior roles at Commonwealth Bank and Westpac in Australia and at Citibank in Australia, Singapore and Japan.

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