Payment Expert’s ID Check: Payments Professionals offers insight from industry leaders and experts on how they got their start in the financial industry, from their early years in education, to how they have been able to climb the corporate ladder.
This week, Shahrukh Khan, Head of Customer Success, OpenPayd, reveals how being part of a major UK payment processor to bring forth contactless payments was a moment to be proud of.
Where did you go to university, and what did you study? What impact did this have on your current journey?
I went to the University of Northampton and completed a three-year BA (Hons) Degree in Business Studies. This degree helped me with my overall understanding of the global business world. I also picked up on soft skills such as public speaking, presenting to large groups, working in teams, prioritising my team, etc.
I also recently completed a management course from Harvard Business School. After five years of managing a team, I wanted to enhance my leadership skills and this course was perfect for it. Going back into education and sharing the virtual room with leaders from all over the world was an amazing experience.
Were you part of any sports clubs or societies at university, and has this influenced your educational and professional development?
No, I was working part time so did not get the chance to participate in any extracurricular activities.
Did you have any jobs outside of the industry before making your start in it, and was this experience a motivation to get into the industry you aspired to be in?
I always knew that I wanted to have a career in finance but was not exactly sure what part of finance. After graduating, I applied for a number of graduate programs and eventually secured a job at a bank, working as a mortgage advisor.
The motivation to move into payments was somewhat my curiosity to learn something new and dynamic. At that time, contactless payments (via plastic cards) were a new payment trend which caught my interest and Barclaycard were the first to launch it.
What was the first job you had in the industry, and are there any lessons from this you still draw on?
My first job in the industry was as a Sales Manager for Barclaycard. Working for a well-established corporate company helped me become disciplined and structured in my approach.
When was your first big break in the payments industry? Why was this such a significant moment for you?
Joining Barclaycard in 2012 was my first big break in the payments industry. Working for one of the biggest payment processors in the UK that had recently launched contactless payments, also being the first to do this, was something to be proud of.
Was there a moment you faced in the industry that really challenged you? How did you overcome this?
There were many moments where I faced challenges while working in this industry, however, with time I realised that this is the nature of the beast and overcoming it soon became a passion.
Sometimes you have to remind yourself that if it was easy, everyone would be doing it.
Lastly, what is some advice you would give to an aspiring person looking to get a start in your respective industry?
Be different, do something that makes you stand out. Don’t shy away from hard work and be consistent at it. With the right mindset and attitude you will eventually get where you want to be.
