Mr Sajed joined Barclaycard in 2006 from Citigroup, where he undertook a number of senior roles in cards and finance over the course of a 20-year career. In his 10 years with Barclays he has been CEO of Barclaycard’s businesses in the UK and US, and has also led Barclaycard’s payment services to businesses and corporations. He has served as interim Barclaycard CEO since May 2015.

Jes Staley, Barclays CEO, said: “Since joining Barclays in December of last year I’ve been impressed by Amer’s deep understanding of the global payments landscape. Barclaycard enjoyed its most successful year in 2015 and I am confident that under Amer’s leadership the business will continue to go from strength to strength.”

Amer Sajed said: “Barclaycard is a leading player in the field of global payments, playing a key role in the adoption of many of the new payment technologies we take for granted today such as chip & PIN, mobile, contactless and wearables. I am honoured to have been asked to lead the business in its 50th anniversary year and excited about our future prospects.”