Mastercard names Richard Wormald Asia Pacific president from 2026

Mastercard has announced a leadership transition in its Asia Pacific region, with several senior appointments set to take effect from January 2026.

Leadership transition

Current President for Asia Pacific, Ari Sarker, will step down from his role at the end of 2025 after more than a decade in the position. Sarker will move into an advisory post, where he will focus on strategic initiatives and provide mentoring to regional leaders to support a smooth changeover.

Ari Sarker's tenure has been marked by expansion and strengthened partnerships across the region, as well as fostering a collaborative culture within the business. Ling Hai, President for Asia Pacific, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Mastercard, commented on Sarker's influence:

"Ari's influence across the region has been profound. He's championed innovation and inclusion, and built deep relationships with governments, fintechs, and enterprises. We're grateful for his contributions and pleased he'll continue to support the business in an advisory role."

New regional president

Effective from January 1, 2026, Richard Wormald, currently Division President for Australasia, will assume the role of President, Asia Pacific. Wormald has led Mastercard's business across Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands for almost a decade, focusing on performance, innovation, and engagement with stakeholders.

His leadership saw Sydney established as one of Mastercard's seven global technology hubs, now home to over 1,000 payments specialists and engineers.

Reflecting on the appointment, Sarker said:

"It's been an incredible journey leading Mastercard in Asia Pacific. I'm proud of what we've built together and grateful to the teams, partners, and customers who've made it all possible. Rich is a trusted colleague and a thoughtful leader - I'm confident he'll continue to move the business forward with purpose and care."

Wormald, on his new position, remarked:

"I'm honored to step into this role and build on the strong foundation Ari has created. Asia Pacific is a dynamic and diverse region, and I look forward to working with our teams and partners to keep growing and delivering meaningful impact."

To ensure continuity, Sarker and Wormald will work closely together leading up to the transition, engaging with stakeholders across multiple markets through joint appearances and ongoing communications.

Australasia appointment

Paul Monnington will join Mastercard as Division President, Australasia, from January 2026, succeeding Wormald. Monnington brings experience in retail payments and fintech, having previously led Woolworths' Wpay business and held senior positions at Woolworths Group and National Australia Bank.

Monnington commented on his new appointment:

"I'm excited to be joining Mastercard at such a pivotal time. The company's focus on innovation, inclusion, and customer partnership really resonates with me, and I look forward to contributing to its continued success in Australasia."

Monnington will report to Wormald and be part of the Mastercard Asia Pacific Leadership Team, overseeing operations in Australia, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands.

Continued priorities

The leadership changes reflect Mastercard's stated commitment to strong, values-driven leadership and its aim to shape the future of commerce across Asia Pacific. The region represents a significant area of growth and opportunity for the company, which remains focused on accelerating innovation, deepening partnerships, and unlocking new business opportunities.