Savantor, a specialist in the provision of business and technical expertise to many well known banks, card schemes, third party processors and hardware/software vendors in the card payment industry, announces the appointment of Leon Dhaene as Managing Director, Savantor Benelux Region.
As part of its international expansion programme, Savantor plans to establish a firm footing in each of their focus markets using a combination of local and international leadership, market understanding and hand-picked expertise. Having recently opened their mainland Europe office in Brussels, the establishment of the Savantor Benelux Region under local leadership is the logical next step in the programme.
Leon Dhaene, a well known international expert in payment cards & systems and business development, will lead Savantor's development in Benelux by building and shaping the resources and approach necessary to help banksdership is the logical next step in the programme.
Leon Dhaene, a well known international expert in payment cards & systdership is the logical next step in the programme.
dership is the logical next step in the programme.
Leon Dhaene, a well known international expert in payment cards & systems and business development, will lead Savantor's development in Benelux by building and shaping the resources and approach necessary to help banks and other financial institutions throughout the region, including addressing the next stage of challenges presented by the introduction of the Single Euro Payments Area.
Leon Dhaene has been in payment systems since 1989, in senior positions at Eurocard, Europay and MasterCard. In 1993, as Regional Manager Central Europe at Eurocard, he delivered Maestro to the world, by enabling the first ever Maestro transaction between the Netherlands and Turkey; a card which is now carried by almost 1 billion cardholders worldwide. Throughout his career, he was involved in launching several innovative card programmes and payment services worldwide; and is recognised as a world leading expert in SEPA.
Rod Nixon, Managing Director of Savantor International said "As we enter the third year of our successful European expansion, this represents a significant step forward for the company. As part of this, it gives me great pleasure to welcome Leon Dhaene to the company. Over the years, Savantor has accumulated unequalled skills and knowledge in helping banks make the right strategic decisions, supporting them in managing through complex change, and improving their operational excellence; all within a very competitive market place. Financial institutions throughout the Benelux region are looking for proven leadership, skills and methodologies to help navigate them through this unprecedented period of complexity and change."
"Benelux banks are gearing up to face a period of intense competition and operational change" added Leon Dhaene. "Existing high performance and low-cost mono-brand payment systems will need to be replaced by new, SEPA-compliant, multi-brand systems. The implementation of the Payment Services Directive in national legislation will bring particular challenges to the Benelux market. Savantor brings the necessary expertise and skills to the Benelux to support the banks and all other organisations involved, to be successful in the coming years."