First Data extends and strengthens Emea management team

First Data - a global leader in electronic commerce and payment services and Europe's leading card transaction processor - already serves more than 90 clients in 27 countries across EMEA and has an unrivalled presence in the region. In November 2004, the company introduced a new regional strategy and organisation to enhance client service and increase opportunities for growth. These new appointments continue the roll-out of this strategy, adding client service, management and sales expertise at the regional level and to individual business units.

Keith Richbell has joined First Data as vice president, UK and Ireland, assuming responsibility for First Data's operations, including service excellence, profitability and business growth, in these countries.

Mr Richbell has 25 years' banking experience with particular expertise in the European payments and money transmission arenas. He began his career at Girobank, which included a period of secondment to APACS, after which he joined Citibank as banking services manager, responsible for developing the bank's cheque and credit card processing capabilities. He went on to spend 12 years at Abbey National where, as head of banking operations, he established the company's clearing function. He later became retail banking director and was responsible for the development of the internet bank, cahoot. Prior to joining First Data this month, Mr Richbell spent four years as a main board director of Travelex plc, where he was managing director of the foreign currency outsourcing business.

Nadeem Shaikh has been appointed to the role of vice president, business development, EMEA, taking responsibility for the company's regional sales strategy and driving pan-European sales initiatives.

Prior to joining First Data, Mr Shaikh spent 15 years with the leading global business and IT consultancy, American Management Systems (AMS), where he became European sales director. While at AMS he developed particular expertise in the corporate, investment and retail banking sectors, working extensively across Europe and also in North America, Canada and Australasia. Since joining First Data earlier this year, Mr Shaikh has led a number of business development initiatives, focusing on the company's sales, marketing and product management strategies.

Marcus Mosen has been appointed managing director, strategic investments, EMEA, a position newly created to develop First Data's focus on merger and acquisition (M&A) activities across the region. Mr Mosen, who has particular experience in the Central and Eastern European cards markets, will evaluate and develop opportunities for First Data to grow through acquisitions as well as developing strategic partnerships throughout the EMEA region. Mr Mosen joined First Data in 2001 and has a successful track record in German speaking markets where he played a key role in securing major clients for First Data, including HypoVereinsbank, BMW Bank and DAB Bank.

Mr Richbell, Mr Shaikh and Mr Mosen will be based in London.

With Mr Mosen's appointment to a regional role, First Data has also added two new vice presidents to its Central European business. Both are based in Germany, reporting to vice president Ernst Verbeek:

Wolfgang Kohlsmann joins First Data as vice president, banking business development, Central Europe. Mr Kohlsmann is responsible for developing relationships with banks in this region, both as clients and also as potential business partners for merchant acquiring joint ventures and alliances. He joins from MasterCard, where he led the company's relationships with savings banks and was responsible for increasing acceptance of MasterCard in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Stefan Schnitzler has been appointed vice president and director, issuing sales, Central Europe. Mr Schnitzler joins First Data following several years in business development, sales and marketing in Germany's banking and financial services industries. For the past five years he has provided business development consultancy for financial services solutions providers across Europe, the Middle East and Africa. At First Data, Mr Schnitzler will be responsible for developing new issuing processing business across Central Europe.

Commenting on the appointments, David Yates, president of First Data, EMEA, said: "First Data's regionally focused approach is benefiting clients by deepening our knowledge and understanding of the markets and locations in which they operate. This ensures that we can tailor our services to meet clients' specific needs and add real value to their businesses."

Mr Yates continued: "The calibre and experience of the people we have appointed and promoted today will further enhance our European management team, ensuring we are best placed to further develop the services we offer to businesses and to continue our growth, both organically and through acquisitions."