Ann Cairns

Chair, Crown Agents Bank & Former Exec Vice Chair, Mastercard

In her role as Executive Vice Chair, Ann represents Mastercard around the world, focusing on inclusion, diversity and innovation. She plays the important role of senior ambassador and executive leader and sits as part of the company’s global management committee. Prior to her current appointment, Ann was President of International Markets responsible for the management of all Mastercard customer-related activities in over 200 countries.

Ann has also held senior positions within many global organisations, including a tenure as CEO of Transaction Banking at ABN-AMRO, 15 years in senior operational positions at Citigroup, and Chair of ICE Clear Europe, one of the world’s leading clearing houses owned by the Fortune 500 company Intercontinental Exchange (ICE).

Ann is currently global chair of the 30% Club and the chair of the Financial Alliance for Women. In addition, Ann is the lead non-executive board member for the UK government’s department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy (BEIS) and is on the board of Lightrock, a global private equity platform investing in sustainable businesses. Ann is also a member of the UK Government’s AI Council. She has a Pure Mathematics degree and honorary doctorate from Sheffield University and a M.Sc. with research into medical statistics and honorary doctorate from Newcastle University.