Mastercard’s Mark Barnett joins UK Government’s Inclusive Economy Partnership

Barnett joins 14 UK CEOs to tackle Britain’s most pressing societal issues

Mark Barnett, Mastercard’s Divisional President in the UK is the latest business leader to join the Government’s Inclusive Economy Partnership.

The Partnership was set up by the Cabinet Office and the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport in 2017, to find innovative ways to solve the most pressing social and economic problems facing the UK. It is currently focused on three key social and economic challenges: transition to work for young people, mental health, and financial inclusion and capability.

Barnett will work with 13 other chief executives from a wide range of business and civil society organisations, including Unilever, Accenture, Nationwide Building Society, The Co-op Group, Fair4allFinance, UnLtd and the National Lottery Community Fund.

He said: “Our ethos at Mastercard is ‘doing well by doing good’ and I am really excited to be collaborating with like-minded people from the public, private and the third sectors who are committed to tackling some of the UK’s most pressing social challenges.

“At Mastercard we believe in inclusive growth that delivers for people, communities and economies around the world. This opportunity enables me to share those goals, and work with my colleagues on the board to develop mutual solutions, which can support and include the most vulnerable across the UK.”

"I’m delighted that Mark is joining the IEP and excited at what Mastercard will bring to our work to scale, amplify and innovate work to address big systemic issues such as financial inclusion, mental health and transition to work," said Sacha Romanovitch, CEO Fair4AllFinance and Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership Champions Board.

Mark Norbury, CEO UnLtd and Co-Chair of the Inclusive Economy Partnership Champions Board added, “Sacha and I as Co-Chairs are delighted to welcome Mark to the IEP Champions Board. Mark’s personal energy, leadership and vision around inclusive growth, combined with the innovation, power and reach of Mastercard, will add real value to our ambitions to make life fairer and better for millions of people in the UK. ”

In 2015 Mastercard announced a commitment to bring 500 million people into the financial system by end-2020. To reach this goal, Mastercard is applying its best assets – tools, technology, insights, funding, partnerships, and expertise – to make the digital economy work for everyone, everywhere. Find out more about Mastercard’s Financial Inclusion projects here.

For more information please contact Suman Hughes on 07966 739 444 / suman.hughes@mastercard.com