Citigroup Inc. has established the new position of chief innovation officer to drive cross-business, client-focused innovation across the company.

The firm appointed Deborah Hopkins to the role effective immediately. Since joining Citigroup in 2002, Hopkins has held several senior roles at the company, including chief operations and technology officer and head of corporate strategy, mergers & acquisitions.

She will be responsible for leading Citigroup’s approach to creative collaboration with various external constituencies, including current and prospective clients, venture capital firms, government agencies and academic institutions. She also will create and direct methods to maximize the internal creativity of Citigroup’s newly reorganized corporate structure with the goal of creating operating efficiencies across global products, regions and the enterprise as a whole.

Hopkins also will retain her current role of managing director and senior advisor in Citigroup’s Institutional Clients Group, where she will continue to support and advise investment banking clients.

“Innovation is critical for Citi’s future growth, and I am delighted that Debby has accepted this important new challenge,” stated Vikram Pandit, Citigroup’s CEO. “As chief innovation officer, Debby will work closely with Citi’s regional and product leadership to help us serve clients better by driving innovation through the enterprise.”