Mastercard hires top UK spy as adviser

Global payments giant Mastercard has hired Sir Jeremy Fleming, a former leader of the UK’s cyber intelligence spy agency GCHQ as an adviser. 

Fleming, who also recently was appointed as the chair of investment group Gallos, led GCHQ’s response to various terror and cyber-attacks and is also a former MI5 officer.

Mastercard, like rival Visa has increasingly positioned itself into the cybersecurity space in recent years amid a growing level of competition in its core payments business. 

“Over the past five years, we’ve invested $7bn into cybersecurity capabilities, building on our efforts to help shape and evolve industry standards related to these foundational protections,” Ajay Bhalla, president, Cyber & Intelligence at Mastercard said.  

“We look forward to working with Jeremy as we push into new technologies and solutions that enhance safe, secure and frictionless interactions for our customers and partners,” Bhalla added.

Fleming will help guide the firm’s strategy in cyber, intelligence and security, whilst also adding to public policy initiatives.