Visa Europe: Albrecht Kiel new Managing Director for Central Europe

Frankfurt am Main, 24 August 2015– Visa Europe has appointed Albrecht Kiel as Managing Director for Central Europe as per 1 October 2015. He will continue to strengthen the regional business in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, the Netherlands and Luxembourg and drive Visa Europe’s growth in those markets. Albrecht Kiel succeeds Ottmar Bloching, who is leaving the company on 30 September 2015 to join the management of Deutsche Sparkassenverlag.

After completing his MBA in Germany and the USA, Albrecht Kiel started his career in the media industry in Germany and Austria. Since 1998, he has held various executive positions in the finance and insurance industry in Germany, first as Marketing Director of AXA Konzern AG for five years. As chairman of Direct Line Versicherung AG, he managed the German direct insurance business of the Royal Bank of Scotland and later the European direct insurance business of Allianz. Most recently, Albrecht Kiel worked as management consultant at Bearing Point, specialising in digitalisation and sales and marketing. He is also an expert in advising financial services providers in Germany and Europe.

“With Albrecht Kiel, a manager of long-standing experience in international executive positions is joining Visa Europe. He will assume a leading role in the further strategic development of our business in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Belgium, Luxembourg and the Netherlands”, says Mark Antipof, Chief Sales and Marketing Officer Visa Europe.

“I look forward to my new assignment at Visa Europe and to working together with my new colleagues. We share the goal of further establishing digital payments through the use of new technologies and constant innovation. Visa offers convenient, secure and faster ways to pay for people across Europe. We will also continue working in close collaboration with retailers and our partners within the industry”, states Kiel.

“Under the leadership of Ottmar Bloching, Visa Europe has seen great success, including the launch of V PAY, the expansion of our credit card business and the successful rollout of contactless and mobile payments in Germany. We would like to thank Ottmar Bloching for his commitment to Visa Europe and are looking forward to working with him in the future in his new role”, says Mark Antipof.