Former Citigroup EMEA boss joins Nick Ogden’s RTGS.global

Gearing up for a late-June launch.

Jim Cowles, the former Citi CEO of Europe, Middle East and Africa, has joined ClearBank founder Nick Ogden’s new startup.

RTGS.global is currently gearing up for a June launch of a new interbank payments network which will let banks authenticate liquidity instantly.

Cowles will take on the role of executive director with immediate effect, and will sit on the company’s board and advise its leadership team.

“Jim’s appointment comes at an opportune time - we have a lot planned over the next few months, as we strive to our target of being the first company in the world to test and demonstrate global atomic settlement within our network of banks,” said Ogden on the appointment.

Both Ogden and Cowles are on the board of Shieldpay, the digital escrow payments provider, positions they assumed at the same time.

“With strong support from regulators, our investors, and technology partners, we’re in a unique position to launch the network and remake the cross-border transfer business,” said Cowles.