Claire will be responsible for all aspects of the company's financial management, including the accounting, commercial, procurement, legal, and risk and compliance functions. She has over 20 years of financial and operational experience having previously worked in senior positions at Eversheds LLP, LCH Clearnet, Barclays Bank, Guinness Brewing Worldwide and British Telecom.

Commenting on Claire's appointment, Marion King, Chief Executive Officer, VocaLink said: "We are delighted that Claire is joining VocaLink. Her extensive experience in streamlining the finance functions of a company, as well as her significant board experience both in the UK and internationally, make her a valuable addition to our board."

Claire Hafner commented: "I am very happy to be joining VocaLink at such a significant time for the company. As a trusted and reliable partner to the financial industry, the company's payment services are vital in the economic downturn as they will help banks to create new revenue streams while maximising efficiencies. I am looking forward to working with the board to further the company's business."

Claire joins VocaLink from Eversheds LLP where she was Finance Director (FD). In this role she was instrumental in turning around the financial operations of the company and running the IT, facilities and procurement functions. She also introduced a new global account management system that helped the company to win the FT Innovation Award for its billing and fee offering in 2008. Prior to this, she worked as the acting FD of LCH Clearnet, and before this as the first FD of the IT and Operations division at Barclays Bank. In this position she set up the division's financial strategy and led large outsourcing and cost reduction initiatives across the business.