Mastercard appoints Jonathan Wood as country manager for Thailand and Myanmar

Mastercard today announced the appointment of Jonathan Wood as country manager, Thailand and Myanmar.

Based in Bangkok, Jonathan will oversee all Mastercard activities in these markets, including business development efforts and implementation of innovative, safe, and smart payments solutions for businesses and consumers.

In Thailand, Mastercard is aligned with Bank of Thailand’s (BOT) 2023 Key Strategic Directions, emphasizing sustainable finance and fostering innovation and financial inclusion. As such, Jonathan will be facilitating partnerships and government engagement, supporting the government’s digital agenda and its drive toward a cashless society.

Jonathan, with over 25 years of international payments industry experience, including seven years at Mastercard, is relocating to Thailand from New York where he led Transactis, an industry leading bill presentment and payment platform acquired by Mastercard in 2019.  He has led this business since its early-stage integration, growing the business remarkably to count nearly half of the US’s largest commercial banks as its customers today. Prior to that, he held several commercial leadership roles in digital and real-time payments in the UK.

Before joining Mastercard, Jonathan held pivotal roles across continental Europe, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, South Africa and Russia, where he built a track record in driving business growth and innovation.

In recent years, Thailand has seen significant growth in digital payment technologies. According to the Mastercard New Payments Index 2022, 80% of consumers had increased their usage of at least one digital payment method over the previous year. Digital services such as PromptPay, Thailand’s real-time payment infrastructure, are changing the way consumers and businesses send and receive money, while at the same time bringing more people into the digital ecosystem, including small businesses and mobile vendors, by enabling them to embrace digital payments safely and conveniently in everyday activities.

Safdar Khan, division president, Southeast Asia, Mastercard, said, “Jonathan’s vast international experience across the digital payments ecosystem will be a huge asset to the Mastercard business in Southeast Asia. He arrives in Thailand at a pivotal time when digital innovation is transforming the country’s payments landscape, moving Thailand toward a cashless society and positioning the country as an economic powerhouse in Southeast Asia. Jonathan will work closely with various private and public sector stakeholders in the country to help further this transformation.”

Jonathan Wood, country manager, Thailand and Myanmar, Mastercard, said: “I am extremely honored to take on this role. I look forward to partnering with the amazing Mastercard teams, as well as its customers, clients and partners, as we work together to shape the future of payments and drive digital transformation and inclusion. I am eager to support the Thailand government’s agenda for developing a powerful, inclusive and secure digital economy, while on a personal level I welcome the opportunity to connect with the local community and to immerse myself in this country’s vibrant culture.”

Jonathan’s appointment follows Aileen Goh’s, former country manager for Thailand and Myanmar, transition to Indonesia as president director of P.T. Mastercard Indonesia, where she will be overseeing Mastercard's operations in the country and leading the company’s efforts to support the advancement of Indonesia’s digital payments infrastructure. During her tenure here, Aileen played a key role in expanding debit, and accelerating QR and contactless payment growth. Aileen also facilitated a cybersecurity agenda across the industry that has helped ensure safe and seamless payments for consumers and businesses in both markets.

“I would like to thank Aileen for her contribution to Mastercard’s development and growth in Southeast Asia over the past four years. Aileen’s leadership has played a tremendous role in Mastercard’s success, particularly in Thailand where she was instrumental in driving key strategic initiatives. I am confident that Jonathan will build on these solid foundations and steer Mastercard to new heights,” added Safdar.

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