Visa Inc, the USA based multinational payments and financial service provider, has revealed the addition of new executive to its senior-level leadership and management team. As per the statement released by the firm, it has hired Mr. Chris Newkirk to join its team in the newly created role of Chief Strategy Officer in its global headquarters.
In his new role at the firm as Chief Strategy Officer, Mr. Newkirk will be responsible for leading the firm’s corporate strategy team and designing the firm’s overall strategic growth and operations plans by regularly coordinating with various local/regional teams from across the globe. Alongside his role as Chief Strategy Advisor, Chris will also become a member of the firm’s executive committee and report directly to Mr. Alfred Kelly. The latter served as the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Visa Inc.
Chris is expected to take on his new role at the US payment services giant from 15th June 2020. He is currently serving as President of Small Business, International & Walmart Partnership at Capital One. The incoming executive is a veteran with nearly two decades of experience in the financial services industry, having served under industry-leading brand icons and is an expert in strategy designing and international business management. Chris had been working with Capital One for nearly twelve years now. He joined the firm back in September of 2008 as Senior Vice President of its US Credit Card division. He was promoted to the role of Executive Vice President/Head of International unit in July 2013 before being promoted to his current role in November of 2016.
During his decade long term with Capital One, he has held numerous responsibilities such as growth strategy, marketing, sales, financial performance, customer experience, digital transformation, risk management, and talent strategy. Having led a diverse team of associated across six business divisions and provided successful results in units he was responsible for, he became a member of the firm’s executive committee in 2006 and since played an integral role in the development of the overall company’s strategy.
Prior to Capital One, he spent three years serving as President of the Infill Construction Lending unit at Indymac Bank. Prior to that, he spent five years serving in McKinsey & Company as a Management Consultant, having joined the firm post graduating from Harvard Law School in 1999.
Commenting on Mr. Newkirk’s addition to the team, Mr. Alfred Kelly – CEO of Visa Inc, said, “Chris will be a great addition to the executive team, not only because of the deep payments expertise he brings but also for his passion for people and excellent leadership. I look forward to welcoming Chris into our Visa family. He will bring some incredible experience and new insights as we continue to deliver on Visa’s strategy, build stronger client relationships, and grow our business”.