Ann Cairns started her career as a research scientist and was the first woman to work offshore with British Gas. She moved into investment banking in her 30's and rose up the ranks in Citibank – ExCo Citi Global Transaction Bank, CEO of ABN Amro Transaction Bank, CEO of Lehmann Holdings and was responsible for the restructuring (with Alvarez & Marsel).

After 15 years at Citi, she enjoyed a number of senior roles at other financial institutions before finishing her executive career as Executive Vice Chair at Mastercard. 

Ann believes that women should rise to the top of the corporate world in equal numbers to men and has chaired both the 30% Club and the Financial Alliance for Women. She was also the Chair ICE Clear Europe prior to her current boards. 

Today Ann is Chair of 2 commercial boards - CAB Payments and TMF, and 2 non-profits Moving Ahead (mentorship) and Stock MS, and the board of Lightrock, a PE Impact investor.