Visa has appointed Alan Machet as group country manager for Visa in Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific. He succeeds Julian Potter, who is retiring at the end of the year.  

Machet’s career in the financial services sector spans more than 20 years, holding senior leadership positions at Westpac, Macquarie Bank and most recently, Citibank where he was CEO of the consumer division prior to its acquisition by National Australia Bank (NAB).

Following the acquisition, Machet was appointed CEO of NAB’s Citi branded division and was instrumental in the integration of the Citi consumer business into NAB, while overseeing business growth.  

Visa regional president for Asia Pacific, Stephen Karpin said, “Alan’s deep expertise and knowledge will accelerate Visa’s aspiration to be the best way to pay and be paid. As Visa continues to drive innovation in the payments ecosystem, we remain dedicated to advancing the payments industry through the latest technology and security solutions. 

“I thank Julian for his leadership over the last seven years, and for facilitating the smooth transition of the business to Alan until year end.”

Commenting on his appointment, Machet said, “Visa is an exceptional business. We’re pioneering digital payments and innovative technologies that help businesses grow, empowering them to give their customers the best possible experience and choice, and collaborating with government and industry partners to bring exponential benefits to economies.

“I’m incredibly excited to join the team as we continue to innovate to meet the evolving needs of our clients and partners across Australia, New Zealand and the South Pacific.”

In his role, Machet is responsible for leading Visa’s business across Australia, New Zealand and South Pacific, which includes client and industry partnerships, helping businesses grow and providing seamless customer experiences, advancing digital acceptance, and accelerating innovation efforts in the market.