Financial messaging network Swift has appointed BT Radianz executive Chris Church as chief executive of Americas and global head of securities.
Church was part of the executive team that founded Radianz in 2000 and held the role of head of global sales and marketing until BT acquired the financial services extranet from Reuters in 2005.
Since 2006 Church has been managing director of the Radianz Services unit at BT Global Financial Services and was responsible for global sales, marketing, customer service, finance, product development and operations of the Radianz network.
During his 20 year career in the financial services sector Church has also held senior positions at Reuters in London and the US.
In his new role Church will report to Swift CEO Lázaro Campos and will be a member of the leadership council. He will also take responsibility for coordinating the securities steering committee of the board.
Commenting on the appointment, Campos says Church's background complements that of David Pryce who has been acting head of the Americas since September 2007.
Pryce remains in the US as deputy head Americas and is also a member of the leadership council.
Along with details of the appointment, Swift has outlined plans to extend its presence in the Americas with the opening of a new office in San Francisco by the middle of 2008. A further office is also planned for Miami at the end of 2008 to provide improved service to the Latin American region, says Swift.
Church's appointment comes over a year after the departure of the previous head of securities at Swift, James Donovan.