New Head of Africa Trade Role Created By Barclays To Serve Growing Market
Barclays Bank has appointed Jason Barrass as its head of Africa trade, a new role based in Johannesburg, South Africa, which is designed to better serve global corporate clients’ trade finance needs in the growing continent of Africa.
Barrass will be responsible for Barclays pan-Africa trade business across structured trade, also covering the flow business, and generally supporting global corporate clients’ needs. He brings with him a wealth of experience having spent the majority of his career servicing clients in the emerging markets, and the bank views the appointment as part of its drive to meet corporate treasury needs as Africa experiences rapid growth.
He joins Barclays in Africa from JP Morgan where Barrass was previously a managing director in the global trade organisation and head of trade sales for the continent. Prior to joining JP Morgan, Barrass was employed by Standard Bank in London, a specialist in Africa, where he was the manager for global trade finance in Central Eastern Europe, Middle East and Africa (CEEMEA).
In his new role, Barrass will report to Kah Chye Tan, global head of trade and working capital and Chris Kotze, head of product, Africa.
Commenting on his appointment, Jason Barrass said: “Africa is a key home market for Barclays, and trade and working capital is an important driver for the corporate banking strategy. This is a great time to be joining the team and I look forward to delivering the Africa trade proposition to the banks local and global customers.”