Consultants with proven senior level experience who are:
can apply to become associates of our consultancy practice and help us deliver affordable expertise to client in a broad range of business disciplines.
Radu Obreja is a seasoned business development professional in the payments industry with extensive knowledge of and experience of the Central and Eastern European markets. Fluent in English, Romanian, German, French and Hungarian plus conversational knowledge in Spanish, Radu is able to work across a wide range of countries.
His excellent communication skills not only proves profitable in establishing new business but extends to an ability to build solid relationships with the media and visibility among key influencers across Europe.
Radu was educated in Romania where he started his career as an educationalist and radio and television broadcaster. This experience was invaluable in his later career activity as a skilful trainer of European bankers.
Radu relocated to the UK in 1983 when he joined Visa International. His career at Visa spanned over 22 years. Here he gained substantial experience and expertise in all aspects of card payments. He became a specialist in various areas of the cards business, ranging from operating regulations, card design, clearing and settlement and products to business development, marketing and public relations.
As Vice President in Visa CEMEA and later in Visa Europe, Radu was responsible for Visa’s business activities in a number of countries in Central and Eastern Europe, including Hungary, Romania, Bulgaria and Slovenia. He spent more than 15 years establishing a significant Visa presence in each of these markets, building sound relationships with both the local and Western European banks at all levels.
During this period, Radu enrolled over 40 commercial banks into the Visa payment system, ensuring the successful implementation and continuing strategic development of their Visa card programmes. Radu introduced the first Visa Electron debit card programmes in Central Europe (in Hungary) in the mid-90s. Hungary also issued the first mass market Visa smart cards in the CEE. He and his team also ensured a sustained development of the payment card acceptance infrastructure throughout this region, including achieving 100% online status for all merchant acquiring POS networks.
In his Business Development role, Radu was able to demonstrate his strong managerial abilities, as well as exceptional interpersonal and communication skills. This contributed towards Visa becoming the leading card payments association in the CEE region, achieving a constant annual growth of between 18-32% in card retail sales volume.
Radu was also instrumental in the successful promotion of the SEPA concept among bankers in Central Europe. This led to an increased interest in Visa products specifically designed to meet the SEPA requirements.
