Head of Small and Medium Enterprises

Mark Barnett is the global head of Small and Medium Enterprises at Mastercard, and a member of the company’s Management Committee. He oversees all SME products and solutions, including card and acceptance products, along with an extensive suite of data, cyber and embedded software solutions, each designed to help business owners run, grow and protect their operations.

In this key global role, Mark is responsible for enabling small and medium businesses to thrive through trusted partnerships, seamless technology and innovative services. Mark leads a business committed to doing well by doing good, and is focused on bringing more small businesses into the digital economy by expanding access to seamless payment experiences, powering global economies.

Prior to this role, Mark was president of Mastercard Europe, where he was responsible for driving a digital first-agenda. He led the company's significant, profitable market share growth across a region that spans 43 countries, 550 million-plus consumers speaking nearly 40 languages and is driving 73-plus  billion purchase transactions through partnerships with retailers, financial institutions and businesses.  

Mark joined Mastercard in 2003 and has held various leadership roles, including leading Global Consulting Services and serving as president of the Mastercard U.K., Ireland, Nordics and Baltics Division.  

Mark also serves on the Governing Council of the SME Finance Forum, a leading global network managed by the International Finance Corporation  that works to expand access to finance and strengthen financial services for small and medium-sized businesses worldwide.

Mark has over 25 years of experience in the retail banking and payments industry. Most of his client work has been at board level - developing payments strategy, designing product innovations, advising card schemes and processors, supporting government payment initiatives, and implementing major transformation programs.

Mark has an Master of Business Administration from Imperial College Business School at University of London, and a bachelor’s degree in Economics, also from London University.