London, England, United Kingdom, April 2026 — Barclaycard Payments has announced the appointment of Caroline Smith as Chief People Officer, marking a strategic leadership addition as the organization continues to strengthen its global payments ecosystem and people capabilities.
In her new role, Caroline will lead the company’s people strategy, culture, transformation, and organizational effectiveness, supporting Barclaycard Payments’ ambition to drive innovation and deliver seamless payment solutions across industries. Her appointment comes at a time when organizations in the fintech and payments space are increasingly focusing on talent, agility, and transformation to stay competitive.
Caroline brings over 25 years of global HR leadership experience, most recently serving as Chief People Officer at esure, where she led the organization’s people and transformation agenda for over six years. During her tenure, she played a key role in shaping culture, driving transformation initiatives, and aligning people strategy with business growth.
Prior to esure, she was People Partner Director – Transformation & CIO at Lloyds Banking Group, where she supported large-scale transformation programs and technology-led business change, working closely with senior leadership to deliver organizational impact.
Her earlier experience includes senior leadership roles such as SVP HR Operations at Pearson and Group HR Transformation Director & Managing Director – Global HR Services at BT, where she led global HR transformation, shared services, and operational excellence initiatives across complex, multinational environments.
Caroline also spent several years at PepsiCo, holding multiple HR leadership roles across Europe, including European HR Director for Beverages, R&D, Finance, and Business Information Systems, where she built strong expertise in organizational design, compensation, and large-scale change management.
She began her career with roles at Unilever and Accenture, building a strong foundation in consulting, HR strategy, and business transformation.
Barclaycard Payments is a global leader in payment solutions, combining over 50 years of expertise with deep insights from the Barclays Group. Known for pioneering innovations such as the UK’s first credit card and contactless payments, the organization continues to shape the future of payments.
With a focus on innovation, data-driven insights, and seamless integration, Barclaycard Payments supports businesses of all sizes in transforming their payment ecosystems, enhancing customer experience, and driving growth in an increasingly digital economy.
Read Also : When HR “Produces Nothing”: A Response to Jennifer Sey’s Anti-HR Vision
The Fine Balance: Navigating Work, Life, and Mental Wellbeing
Mind the Leadership Gap – From Learning to Real-World Impact
How the Adecco Group is empowering its employees for the future of work
