Suman Hughes

Suman Hughes is senior vice president, Communications for Europe at Mastercard, where she leads the company’s communications strategy across more than 30 markets and offices. Her work focuses on strengthening Mastercard’s voice and positioning across the region, supporting business growth, and engaging key stakeholders through clear, impactful storytelling.

Suman plays a central role in shaping and delivering communications that support Mastercard’s strategic priorities in Europe, working closely with regional leadership to drive alignment and ensure consistent, high-quality engagement with employees, partners, policymakers, and media. She also oversees communications for complex, high-profile issues, helping to protect and enhance the company’s reputation in a rapidly evolving external environment.

Suman joined Mastercard in 2019. Prior to that, she spent seven years at HSBC, where she held a number of communications roles spanning both global and U.K. functions, supporting the bank’s commercial, regulatory, and reputational priorities.

Earlier in her career, Suman spent over a decade in leading public relations consultancies, advising financial services clients on corporate communications, media strategy and reputation management.

With more than two decades of experience in communications, Suman brings deep expertise in financial services, a strong understanding of the European media and stakeholder landscape, and a track record of delivering strategic, high-impact communications programmes for complex organisations.