Equity Bank Kenya is among the fastest growing banks in Kenya with more than 100 branches. The senior managers comprise of highly skilled professionals drawn from several fields.
The Bank’s management comprises of highly skilled and experienced personnel. The Bank has continued with aggressive capacity building through staff training and development programmes. The first critical success factor of the bank is about an organization culture that values people, enhances performance and supports the business. This is grounded on seven core values namely Professionalism, Integrity, Creativity, Teamwork, Unity of Purpose, Respect and Dignity for Customers and Effective Corporate Governance.
The leadership team of the Bank consists of the following persons:-
JAMES MWANGI, CBS – MANAGING DIRECTOR AND C.E.O
James holds five Honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his contributions to the Kenyan society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. James has been honoured twice with Presidential national awards; he was vested the First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) national decoration-the highest presidential award to a civilian, for outstanding contribution in economic development as well as the Moran of the Burning Spear. He was named the World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012, the Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2012 and is a holder of the 2007 Global Vision Award. He is currently the Chairman of Kenya’s Vision 2030 Delivery Board charged with the responsibility of ensuring Kenya becomes a middle income country with global high standards of living by the year 2030. He serves on several international bodies as an advisor. He is a Board member of the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa, the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition among others and is the Chancellor Meru University College of Science and Technology. He has wide experience in the banking industry and inclusive finance.
BHARTESH SHAH – CHIEF OPERATING OFFICER
Bhartesh holds an MBA from the University of Warwick and a Bachelor Of Science (Hons.) in Banking and Finance from Loughborough University. He has over 18 years of banking experience with multiple financial institutions in various capacities and in different locations. Bhartesh has in-depth experience in the financial services industry covering corporate finance, corporate banking, transaction banking, wealth management, bancassurance, product management and retail banking. He previously worked for Midland Bank (HSBC), UK; Standard Chartered Bank, Kenya, Botswana and Singapore; and Citibank, Africa. Bhartesh’s immediate former roles were Head of Retail Banking SCB Kenya and East Africa and Head Of Digital banking, Africa. Bhartesh joined Equity bank in 2015.
HELEN GICHOHI, MBS , – MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY GROUP FOUNDATION
Helen holds a PhD in Ecology from the University of Leicester in the UK, Master of Science degree in Biology of Conservation and a BSc in Zoology from the University of Nairobi and Kenyatta University respectively. She joined Equity Group Foundation in 2012 from the African Wildlife Foundation where she served for 11 years from 2001, as the President from 2007, Vice President from 2002 and Director of the Conservation Program from 2001 when she joined AWF. Prior to that, she was the Managing Director of the African Conservation Center. Helen is a recipient of the Charlotte Wyman Trust’s Women in Conservation Program, the Order of Great Warrior and the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear awarded by the Kenyan Government. She won the Giai Environmental Award for 2012 at The WIFTs Foundation International Visionary Awards. She serves on the boards of Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Africa Wildlife Foundation.
MARY WAMAE, DIRECTOR OF CORPORATE STRATEGY AND COMPANY SECRETARY
Mary holds an LL.B. degree from the University of Nairobi, Masters in Leadership, Innovation and Change from York St. John’s University, UK, Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and is a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) (CPS Registration Number 1753). She is an Advocate of the High Court and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development and has over 13 years of private practice experience.
JOHN STALEY,CHIEF OFFICER – FINANCE, INNOVATION AND PAYMENTS
Staley has a Masters of Science in Applied and Computational Mathematics and a Bachelor of Science in Physics. He also holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a qualified Chartered Accountant. A specialist in implementing cost effective ICT solutions, John worked as the CEO of Credit Indemnity (Pty) Ltd in South Africa before joining Equity Bank. He has been actively involved in the use of mobile phones to provide financial services since 1998.
RAPHAEL HUKAI, CHIEF TECHNOLOGY AND INFORMATION OFFICER
Raphael holds a BSc. degree in Computer Science from the Institute of International Politics of Beijing, China. He joined Equity Bank Group in December 2013 after over 16 years of service at IBM Corporation, where he worked at many leading banks around the world, providing executive consulting on banking/ IT technology and governance. He also has extensive experience in insurance and e-commerce.
REUBEN MBINDU – CHIEF OFFICER, HUMAN CAPITAL AND ADMINISTRATION
Reuben holds a BSc. in Computer Science from Germany and is a full member of the Institute of Human Resource Management in Kenya. He has expertise in various fields including technology, auditing, communication and human resources having worked at senior management levels in various organizations. Reuben joined Equity Bank in 2013 from Standard Chartered, where he was the Director of Human Resources for East Africa. He has also held other senior positions within Standard Chartered including Head of Corporate Affairs – East Africa, Chairman of the Nairobi Marathon, Head of Human Resources – Tanzania and Regional Head of Human Resources Operations for Africa. While at Standard Chartered, he had the opportunity to work in different markets including United Kingdom, Hong Kong, Tanzania, Zambia and South Africa. He made a major contribution in the design and automation of global HR processes in Standard Chartered. Reuben has also worked in other sectors including public sector (UNEP), consultancy (Deloitte) and ICT (Siemens, Germany).
JUMAANE TAFAWA – DIRECTOR STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & PROGRAM MANAGEMENT
Jumaane holds an MPA from Harvard University. He joined Equity Bank in 2012. At the Group level, he oversees all SME related strategic initiatives across Equity Bank Group, including Equity Bank SME division, Equity Investment Bank, Equity Consulting Group, Equity Insurance Agency and Equity Group Foundation. He also leads major group-level partnerships and collaborations. Jumaane has over a decade of business strategy and small and medium enterprise (SME) development experience gained through his work in the private, government and non-profit sectors, in 60+ countries. He has spent most of his career as a management consultant improving the effectiveness of multiple SME development programs across the world, especially across Sub-Saharan Africa.
ROHIT KUMAR SINGH – CHIEF OFFICER, CORPORATE AND SME BANKING
Rohit holds a MS (Finance) degree from Boston College, USA, an MBA from Cardiff Business School, UK and a Bachelor degree in Technology with Honours (Civil Engineering) from Harcourt Butler Technological Institute, India. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Strategic Leadership Program from IESE Business School, Barcelona and has completed an advanced technology program from Carnegie Mellon University, USA. Prior to joining Equity Bank, Rohit has held senior management positions at Emirates NBD Bank in Dubai, Business Development Asia in Mumbai, Private Capital Management in Naples and McKinsey & Company in New York. He has extensive experience in corporate banking, SME banking, investment banking, private equity, capital markets and investment management. In an international career spanning more than 15 years, Rohit has not only worked in developed economies of North America and Europe but also quite extensively in emerging economies of Africa, Asia and the Middle East.
BILDARD FWAMBA – CHIEF INTERNAL AUDITOR
Bildard holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from Kenyatta University and is a Certified Public Accountant, CPA (K). He is also writing his dissertation for an MBA at Strathmore Business School. He has over 15 years experience in Finance and Audit and previously worked with Central Bank of Kenya and British American Insurance Company. Bildard joined Equity Bank in 2004.
JOHN WAWERU – EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN – FINSERVE AFRICA LIMITED
John holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering from the University of Nairobi. He is the former Director-General of Communications Commission of Kenya (CCK), renamed to Communications Authority of Kenya (CA), from 2005 to 2008. John joined Finserve in 2014.
IRUNGU NYAKERA – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY INVESTMENT BANK
Irungu holds a Bachelor of Science, Management Science and Engineering (Financial Analysis and Decision Engineering) from Stanford University, CA, USA. Prior to joining Equity Investment Bank in 2014, he was the Regional Director, East and Southern Africa at Frontier Markets Fund Managers, GuarantCo. Irungu also served as the Managing Director at NIC Capital where he held various positions and has also worked at Citigroup in London as a Transactor. He has over 7 years of financial services experience.
ANTHONY KITUUKA – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FOR REGIONAL SUBSIDIARIES
Anthony holds an MBA in Oil and Gas from Middlesex University, London and a Bachelor’s Degree in Statistics and Applied Economics from Makerere University, Uganda. He holds a professional accountants certificate (ACCA) and is a fellow of the Professionals Accountants Certificate (FCCA). He has over 7 years banking experience and has previously worked with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) as the Head of Global Corporates. He joined Equity Bank in 2014
PAUL GITAHI – MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK SOUTH SUDAN
Paul is a career banker with over 24 years experience and previously worked with ABC Bank and Cooperative Bank. He has extensive banking experience in operations, marketing and customer service. Paul served previously as the General Manager in charge of marketing in Equity Bank Kenya before taking up his present position.
SAMUEL KIRUBI – MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK RWANDA
Samuel holds a Masters Degree in Business Administration (Finance) from Moi University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Statistics from Egerton University. He is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore- IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain). Since joining Equity Bank in 2001, Samuel has gained vast experience in operations, marketing and customer service. Samuel was previously the Chief Operations Officer in Equity Bank South Sudan.
JOSEPH IHA- MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK TANZANIA
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Education in Accounting and Mathematics from the University of Nairobi and has also attended various professional courses in banking. He has over 12 years banking and leadership experience in Credit, Corporate banking and Operations. Prior to joining Equity Bank Tanzania, he worked as the General Manager, Credit in Equity Bank Uganda and General Manager, Corporate Banking Division at Equity Bank Kenya. Joseph joined Equity Bank in 2005.
APOLLO N. NJOROGE – EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK UGANDA
Apollo holds a Bachelor of Science (Hons) from University of Nairobi in Mathematics and Physics, Masters Degree in International Business Administration in Finance from United States International University and a Diploma in Banking. Prior to his current posting he was the General Manager Corporate Banking in Equity Bank Kenya and has wide experience of 17 years in banking.
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