David Cameron Joins First Data's International Advisory Board

(Bloomberg) -- Former British Prime Minister David Cameron will join First Data Corp.'s international advisory board as the payments processor expands its global presence.

Cameron will help First Data gain a foothold in new and existing markets, the New York-based company said in a statement on Friday. The firm, led by Chief Executive Officer Frank Bisignano, created the board in 2015 and named former New Jersey Senator Bill Bradley chairman. First Data has operations in more than 100 countries.

“I am incredibly proud that during my time as Prime Minister, the United Kingdom became a global force in fintech,” Cameron, 50, said in the statement. “I remain passionate about the opportunities that exist for British and international companies that are developing exciting technologies both for businesses and consumers.”

Payments processors, long reliant on brick-and-mortar shopping, have been expanding internationally to counter the rise of e-commerce in their home markets. Vantiv Inc., one of First Data's largest U.S. competitors, agreed in July to buy London's Worldpay Group Plc for $9.9 billion.

Cameron, former leader of the Conservative Party, resigned as prime minister last year following the U.K. referendum to leave the European Union. He had supported continued membership.

To contact the reporter on this story: Jenny Surane in New York at jsurane4@bloomberg.net.

To contact the editors responsible for this story: Michael J. Moore at mmoore55@bloomberg.net, Steven Crabill, Steve Dickson