Redshaw will report to Stephen Squeri, group president, Global Services, when he joins in January. Squeri had served as CIO since May, 2005, in addition to heading Global Services since the group was formed last year.

Redshaqw is charged with "strengthening American Express' position in the strategic use of technology" and will serve on its business operating committee.

He joins from insurance group Aviva in London, where he has been global CIO since 2008. He has also worked for Motorola and FedEx.

Commenting on the appointment, Squeri says: "He will be a terrific addition to our organization as we focus on creating a competitive advantage for the company through superior service, capabilities and operational excellence."

The firm also recently nabbed Daniel Schulman from wireless operator Sprint Nextel to head up a new enterprise growth unit that will concentrate on expanding the firm's mobile and online payments services.