Barclaycard Announces New U.S. Mobile Payment Head

Telecommunications industry expert Dekkers Davidson will head up the mobile payments business for Wilmington, Del.-based Barclaycard US. A former Oliver Wyman practice leader, Davidson is tasked to oversee the credit card company's efforts and identify opportunities to leverage its experience in mobile banking and contactless technology, Barclaycard announced.

"With device manufacturers, software developers and payments providers all aligned toward the same future, the US market is ready for mobile payments," said Davidson. "Barclaycard's global expertise and know-how will help our existing and future co-branded card partners successfully transition into mobile, as we work with leading solution partners to pave the way for consumer and merchant adoption. I feel fortunate to have joined one of the world's leading mobile payments companies at such an exciting time in the payments space."

Barclaycard has issued some 11 million contactless payment-enabled credit and debit cards. It announced in January a partnership with Orange to develop the UK's first mobile contactless payment solution.

"We believe that mobile represents the future of payments and for commerce," said Amer Sajed, chief executive of the Barclaycard US unit. "Mobile payments can be a competitive differentiator in attracting new customers and in making payments easier and more rewarding for existing customers. We will combine the mobile telecommunications expertise and new business launch experience Dekkers brings with our understanding of the needs of the US consumer to create a powerful business."