Secure Trust Bank’s head of payments and cards to step down

Chris Higham, head of payments and cards at Secure Trust Bank, has announced his decision to step down from his role before the end of the year. Higham, who took on the position in May 2021, shared the news via LinkedIn, stating that “the time is coming very shortly to move on.” During his tenure, he played a key role in building and leading the bank’s payments function, contributing to its retail savings and commercial lending operations, which specialize in sectors such as motor, real estate, and business financing.

Reflecting on his experience, Higham expressed satisfaction with the challenges of managing payments within a diverse organization like Secure Trust Bank. He also drew on his background at Virgin Money, where he held leadership roles for over six years, including head of open banking and head of payments strategy and change. His work has involved significant contributions to the implementation of PSD2 and direct payment scheme entry.

Looking ahead, Higham confirmed he is actively seeking new opportunities in the payments and open banking space, aiming to help financial institutions navigate the complexities of fintech innovation and change management. He shared his enthusiasm for exploring new roles within the industry or consulting, noting that he has made valuable connections and is eager to embark on the next chapter of his career in this dynamic sector.