The new sub-regions are in recognition of the growing importance of Asia/Pacific as a whole as it houses two of the region’s biggest markets - China and India - and reflects a more focused approach for these diverse markets.

Ling Hai_High resLing Hai will be President of North East Asia and Australasia. He was most recently Group Executive of Enterprise Development, International Markets for MasterCard. Ling Hai joined MasterCard in 2010 as Division President of Greater China and has over 22 years’ industry experience, including in financial services and consulting, across a number of markets.

Ari Sarker_High resAri Sarker will be President, South East Asia and South Asia. Ari has been with MasterCard for over four years and was most recently MasterCard’s Division President for South Asia and Country Corporate Officer, India. He also has over 22 years of experience spanning the finance, commercial, and M&A sectors in senior management roles across key markets in the Americas, Europe and Asia Pacific.

Both Ling Hai and Ari will be based in Singapore, and together they will be taking over from Vicky Bindra, President, Asia/Pacific, who will be leaving the company.

Commenting on the appointments, Ann Cairns, President, International Markets, MasterCard said: “We see enormous potential for the Asia/Pacific region and with this new regional reorganization we intend to further build on our already strong business momentum across the overall geography. Both Ling Hai and Ari have a strong and successful track record in MasterCard and we look forward to them leading the next wave of growth for us.

“We would also like to acknowledge and thank Vicky for his contribution to the growth of the Asia/Pacific, Middle East & Africa markets in MasterCard over the last six years, and we wish him the best in his future endeavors,” Cairns added.