Santander has appointed revered technologist and ex-JP Morgan banker Blythe Masters as a senior adviser on Blockchain and distributed ledger technology.
Masters – best known for running software group Digital Asset Holdings – will now take up a newly created role, having worked for around a year in Santander’s USA Consumer division as chairman.
As part of the new job, Masters will also join the bank’s international advisory board and the board of Openbank.
Openbank is a digital bank, started in 1994 and wholly owned by Santander Group and offers banking services through digital software such as WhatsApp.
In a statement released to the media, Ana Botín, executive chairman of Banco Santander said that Masters is expected to bring her expertise in banking, business and blockchain where it will have a significant impact, specifically to the group’s digital bank, International Advisory Board and strategy team.
She added: “I'm looking forward to her focusing on our global efforts in digital banking.”
Masters had been with JP Morgan for 27 years before being appointed managing director at the age of 28.
Since leaving JP Morgan, she has built Digital Asset Holdings, which has become instrumental in developing new techniques and technologies in the straight through processing, compliance and settlement markets.
The business has previously received backing Santander’s Innoventures programme as well as a host of other financial services groups. Last year DAH attracted $60 million of investment in its latest funding round.