SWIFT Selects Javier Pérez-Tasso As New CEO

The Society for Worldwide Interbank Financial Telecommunication (SWIFT), a payment messaging firm, has chosen Javier Pérez-Tasso as its new chief executive officer, according to a press release.

Pérez-Tasso has been part of SWIFT’s executive team for seven years, and he is currently the company’s chief executive of the Americas and U.K. region.

He will begin his new assignment on July 1, replacing Gottfried Leibbrandt, who announced last December that he would be stepping down effective at the end of June.

The firm conducted a comprehensive and diligent search for a new CEO, led by the board’s human resources committee and advised by an independent search firm.

“I am delighted to announce Javier’s appointment with the full endorsement of the board. SWIFT has an exceptionally strong management team, which has enabled the board to appoint an internal candidate and which will also allow for a smooth transition,” said SWIFT Chairman Yawar Shah.

“Javier’s track record of impressive leadership, coupled with his in-depth understanding of the company and its business, means that he is expertly positioned for this new role,” Shah continued. “I am confident that his appointment will ensure that SWIFT can continue to build on its tradition of excellence and innovation in support of the global financial community, while also enabling acceleration of its endorsed strategy.”

Pérez-Tasso joined SWIFT in 1995, and in 2015 was appointed as chief executive for the Americas and U.K. region. He was also an executive sponsor of SWIFT’s customer security program from 2016 to 2018, and helped lead SWIFT’s response to cyber challenges facing the payments industry. As chief executive, he worked with SWIFT’s engagement model to deepen its relationship with global transaction banks, and also delivered business development results in high growth markets, the company said.

Pérez-Tasso previously served as chief marketing officer for the organization. He also developed SWIFT’s current five-year plan, called SWIFT2020, which led to a renewed focus on cross-border and instant payments, crime compliance and deeper presence in the market infrastructure area.

Before he worked at SWIFT, Pérez-Tasso had a number of tech and leadership positions in business development in Europe, the Middle East and Africa.

“I thank the SWIFT board for its trust and feel privileged to lead SWIFT and serve its customers as CEO,” Pérez-Tasso said. “I am fortunate to start this mandate building on Gottfried’s strong legacy, and I look forward to maintaining our focus on operational excellence as well as accelerating SWIFT’s transformation during a period of unprecedented change and opportunity for the community.”