Press Office

Back to Press Office

Eddie Grobler advanced as Executive Vice President for Australasia; Leigh Clapham promoted to General Manager for Developed Markets in Europe

Sydney, 4 August 2008 - MasterCard Worldwide announced today that Leigh Clapham, has been appointed General Manager for Developed Markets in Europe and Eddie Grobler will be taking up the position of Executive Vice President, Australasia. Leigh previously ran MasterCard’s operations in Australasia.

“I would like to congratulate both Leigh and Eddie. These movements reflect the global nature of MasterCard, and the opportunities that await our executives who have risen to the challenge and proven themselves. I am very proud of the achievements of our executives - they have demonstrated their ability to build and grow the MasterCard business across the markets. Their achievements have not gone unnoticed, hence these very commendable promotions and career moves,” said Andre Sekulic, president, Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

Eddie Grobler, moving from the role of General Manager for Africa, has for the past 9 years spearheaded MasterCard's business in South Africa, and recently, pioneered MasterCard operations in the African continent. In his new position as Executive Vice President, Australasia, Grobler has moved to Sydney and began taking over the helm from Clapham on 1 July. He reports to Andre Sekulic, president, Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa, MasterCard Worldwide.

“I am very excited about taking up this new role and look forward to continuing and building on the outstanding legacy Leigh Clapham has left for MasterCard in this market. It is a dynamic time for the Australian and New Zealand payments and financial services industries, and delivering outstanding payment products and services to our customers will continue to be our highest priority,” says Mr Grobler.

Over the years, Grobler has built a strong team in South Africa, and a substantive business for MasterCard, leveraging and strengthening relationships with key bank customers. Among his numerous business accomplishments, Grobler pioneered new business in territories, such as North, Central Africa and Mauritius, introduced advanced payments technology and mobile phone banking to the markets, established the Merchant Advisory Group in South Africa to strengthen merchant partnerships and launched corporate social responsibility initiatives, such as the MoneySkills financial literacy program in South Africa. Eddie is married and has two adult children.

Leigh Clapham will be moving to the United Kingdom within the next few months and reporting to Javier Perez, president, MasterCard Europe, MasterCard Worldwide.

Prior to joining MasterCard, Clapham was Managing Director at one of the leading integrated agencies in Australia and a veteran of the advertising and marketing industry. Under his supervision and direction, MasterCard’s business performance in Australia and New Zealand has grown from strength to strength. Applying commercial rigor and business savvy, Clapham has won a number of strategic key accounts and business agreements.

MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes over 18 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial institution customers and merchants. Through its family of brands, including MasterCard^®, Maestro^® and Cirrus^®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to http://www.mastercard.com.

Melissa Devine, PPR, mdevine@ppr.com.au, 02 9818 0950