David Hennah

Global Head – Trade and Supply Chain Finance, Global Transaction Banking, Intellect Design Arena Limited

David is currently Global Head of Trade and Supply Chain Finance at Intellect Design Arena. He previously spent more than 25 years with Barclays, including stints abroad in France, Belgium and Germany, eventually specialising in payments and cash management. David once managed the bank’s branch operation on board RMS QE2 and has visited more than 90 countries around the world. In 1991 he was credited with having launched the world’s first international direct debit service. After leaving the bank in 1999, David joined ICL/Fujitsu Services as Managing Consultant in financial services. He later joined Misys where he brought to market the world’s first corporate front end portal for trade finance, before moving on to SWIFT where he was primarily responsible for driving supply chain strategy, eventually leading to the launch of the ICC Bank Payment Obligation. David is the author of the ICC Guide to the URBPO. After leaving SWIFT, he re-joined Misys (later Finastra), playing an instrumental role in the launch of the World Trade Symposium and World Trade Board, which he co-chaired for two years. Most recently, David has acted as co-chair of the ICC Drafting Group for URDTT, and in a specialist advisory capacity to the London Institute of Banking and Finance (LIBF). In 2023, David was the recipient of both the RFIx Lifetime Achievement Award and the BAFT Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of his contributions to the trade and supply chain finance industry. David hails from Cornwall, is married with four daughters, and is an ardent supporter of Arsenal Football Club. He (still) enjoys walking and running, having completed three London Marathons and a 1000 mile walk from John o’ Groats to Land’s End.