Plumeri was appointed to the First Data Board of Directors and as a senior advisor to KKR in August 2013. Since then he also has been serving as senior advisor to First Data Chairman and CEO Frank Bisignano, and as the head of First Data's client delivery, innovation and marketing organization. He will continue in these roles.

"Joe's passion for our clients and his long-term commitment to our company is a driving force behind our transformation and the success we have seen over the last few months," said Bisignano. "He has improved our sales effectiveness and how we take care of our clients and collaborate with them to grow their businesses. I look forward to continuing to work with Joe as we move First Data forward," Bisignano added.

Since joining First Data, Plumeri has played a pivotal role in the company's transformation from a transaction processor to a payments technology company and solutions provider to merchants and financial institutions. Plumeri has spearheaded company-wide efforts to become more client-centric, including realigning how the company delivers solutions to and serves its global and strategic accounts, national merchants and enterprise clients, financial institutions, small business clients, bank partners and agents and ISO clients. Creating a superior client experience is part of this effort to better serve clients, build stronger relationships that foster business growth for clients, and deliver innovative solutions, including the Clover™ Station, a transformational point-of-sale solution for small and medium sized businesses.

"Joe is a proven leader and value creator who is committed to First Data for the long haul," said Henry Kravis, Co-CEO and Co-Chairman of KKR and a member of First Data's Board of Directors. "Having known Joe personally for a long time and working alongside him at First Data and prior to that at the Willis Group, I know he will continue to be an incredible asset."

Plumeri was chairman and chief executive officer of Willis Group Holdings, plc before joining First Data. Appointed in 2000, Plumeri returned Willis, privately owned by KKR, to public ownership in 2001. Prior to joining Willis, Plumeri had a 32-year career at Citigroup and its predecessor companies.

"It is an honor to work with such great people at First Data and to help make a difference for the clients we serve," Plumeri said. "First Data is the global leader in a fast-changing industry and I'm privileged to be a part of the company's transformation."