DAVID ANSELL

NON-EXECUTIVE CHAIRMAN

David holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington, a second Bachelor’s degree in Finance from the Thunderbird Graduate School of International Management and an Advanced Management Degree (AMP) from the Wharton School of Business. He has served in various assignments at Citibank in the Emerging Markets, including 16 years in Africa as well as Managing Director and CEO of Ecobank Transnational Inc. He is the Chairman Designate, Equity Group Holdings Plc.

JAMES MWANGI, CBS

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR AND CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

James holds five honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his positive impact to the Kenyan society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has been honoured thrice with National Presidential Awards: The First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Head of State Commendation (HSC). On the global front, Dr. Mwangi won the G8 Global Vision Award, 2007. He was named among the Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and the 20 most influential people in Africa in 2011; the World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012; the Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2012 and was recently named in the Bloomberg 50 list of people who defined 2019 globally.

On the regional front, he was also recognized as the Africa Investor Awards, CEO of the Year in 2009 and 2015; Innovation Leader of the Year in 2012; African Business Leader of the Year in 2013 and African Banker of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2017 at the African Banker Awards. Dr. Mwangi was also named the Banker of the Year during the Banker Africa (East Africa) Awards in 2017 & 2018. Locally, he has received the Think Business CEO of the Year award for the last 3 years.

James has served on board and advisory roles at the Global Advisory Council for VISA Inc., The Clinton Global Initiative, The G8 New Alliance For Food Security And Nutrition, US President Barack Obama’s Initiative for Global Development, the G20 Advisory Board of Agriculture and Initiative for Global Development, and The Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum from 20032007. He served as the Founding Chair of Kenya’s Vision 2030 from inception in 2007 to 2019.

He currently serves on several international bodies as an advisor and was recently appointed to the Nairobi Advisory Board of Columbia Global Centres. He is a Board member of the Economic Advisory Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Mastercard MEA Advisory Board, the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa, the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition and is the Chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology.

He is a guest lecturer at Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, IESE and Lagos Business School where Equity Bank Business Model is a case study.

MARY WAMAE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary holds a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She is a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) and member of The Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Law Society of Kenya, Women Corporate Directors and the Kenya Section of International Commission of Jurists. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development. She has over 15 years’ experience in private legal practice

HELEN GICHOHI, MBS, OGW

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Helen holds a Ph.D. in Ecology from the University of Leicester in the UK, a Master of Science degree in Biology of Conservation from the University of Nairobi and a BSc in Zoology from Kenyatta University. She has held various positions in the Equity Group Foundation, the African Wildlife Foundation and the African Conservation Center.

She 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 (MBS). She won the Giai Environmental Award for 2012 at The WIFTs Foundation International Visionary Awards. Helen serves on the boards of Ol Pejeta Conservancy and Africa Wildlife Foundation and previously served on the Kenya Wildlife Service Board.

EVELYN RUTAGWENDA

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Evelyn holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Makerere University, Kampala and is a Certified Public Accountant. She previously worked as the Auditor General for the Republic of Rwanda; as the Secretary General of Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry (UNCCI); as a consultant/project accountant for Decentralization Secretariat (Institutional Capacity Building Project); Ministry of Local Government, Uganda and also as Chief Auditor at UCA Auditing Services among others.

Evelyn also spearheaded the formation of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Rwanda (ICPAR) and subsequently served the Institute in various capacities including, Chairperson of the Interim Governing Council, Ex Officio and elected member of the Governing Council. In 2009 she received an ACCA Achievements Award for her outstanding contribution to developing the accountancy and finance profession. She is currently the Chair-MTN Rwanda and Crystal Telecom Limited Boards of Directors, Vice-Chair, Board of Directors, Rwanda Development Board and also serves on the Board of Directors of Victoria Motors Rwanda.

DEEPAK MALIK

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Deepak holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and is a fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants India. He is the Chief Executive Officer of Arise and has extensive experience in the financial services sector on the African continent. Prior to heading Arise, he worked with Norfund, the Development Bank of Zambia (DBZ), Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines Limited (ZCCM) and serves on various boards of financial institutions across Southern and Eastern Africa.

VIJAY GIDOOMAL

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Vijay qualified as a lawyer from Clifford Chance in the UK in 1992. He has worked in various capacities with Car & General and has seen the company grow regionally with representation in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Seychelles, Eritrea, Equity Group Holdings Plc and Subsidiaries Integrated Report & Financial Statements Ethiopia, Djibouti and Somalia. He is an active member of the Young Presidents Association, its past Chairman (Kenya Chapter) and regional board member.

ISAAC MACHARIA

NON-EXECUTIVE VICE-CHAIRMAN

Isaac holds a Master of Medicine in Otorhinolaryngology, Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery from the University of Nairobi and is a Fellow of the College of Surgeons of East, Central and Southern Africa (COSECSA). He is a Professor of ENT, Head and Neck Surgery at the University of Nairobi. He is the East African regional advisor for CBM in Ear and Hearing Care as well as the Regional Secretary for Africa and the Middle East, International Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (IFOS). He was the President of the Pan African Federation of Otorhinolaryngological Societies (PAFOS).

He is a member of The Starkey Hearing Foundation Global Initiative Advisory Board. Prof Macharia was the founder Chairman of the Allergy Society of Kenya and is also the founder Chairman of the Cochlear Implant Group of Kenya (CIGOK). He is Chairman of Savannah Informatics, Jadala Investments and Co-founder and Chairman, Otolaryngology Associates and Nairobi ENT Clinic.

EDWARD ODUNDO

NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Edward holds a PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management) from The University of Nairobi, an MBA degree in Strategic Management and Marketing and a BSc. Degree in Finance and Accounting. He is also an alumni of Harvard University, John F. Kennedy School of Government (HSB), London School of Economics (LSE) and holds membership in several professional bodies. He is the former Chief Executive Officer of Retirement Benefits Authority (Kenya) and former Director, Nairobi securities. He is the Director of School of Pension and Retirement Studies (SPRS), Chairman of the Public Service Superannuation Scheme, Kenya (PSSS) and a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, School of Business and a Consultant in Pensions, Tax, Corporate Governance and Financial Services. He is a recipient of the Moran of the Order of The Burning Spear (MBS). He is a published author having authored a book titled ‘The Doctrine of Strategic Planning’.

James Mwangi CBS

GROUP MANAGING DIRECTOR & CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER

James holds five honorary doctorate degrees in recognition of his positive impact to the Kenyan society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and is a Certified Public Accountant. He has been honoured thrice with National Presidential Awards: The First Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS), the Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) and Head of State Commendation (HSC). On the global front, Dr. Mwangi won the G8 Global Vision Award, 2007. He was named among the Top 50 Emerging Market Business Leaders and the 20 most influential people in Africa in 2011; the World Entrepreneur of the Year by Ernst & Young in 2012; the Forbes Africa Person of the Year in 2012 and was recently named in the Bloomberg 50 list of people who defined 2019 globally.

On the regional front, he was also recognized as the Africa Investor Awards, CEO of the Year in 2009 and 2015; Innovation Leader of the Year in 2012; African Business Leader of the Year in 2013 and African Banker of the Year in 2010, 2011 and 2017 at the African Banker Awards. Dr. Mwangi was also named the Banker of the Year during the Banker Africa (East Africa) Awards in 2017 & 2018. Locally, he has received the Think Business CEO of the Year award for the last 3 years.

James has served on board and advisory roles at the Global Advisory Council for VISA Inc., The Clinton Global Initiative, The G8 New Alliance For Food Security And Nutrition, US President Barack Obama’s Initiative for Global Development, the G20 Advisory Board of Agriculture and Initiative for Global Development, and The Global Agenda Council on New Economic Thinking of the World Economic Forum from 20032007. He served as the Founding Chair of Kenya’s Vision 2030 from inception in 2007 to 2019.

He currently serves on several international bodies as an advisor and was recently appointed to the Nairobi Advisory Board of Columbia Global Centres. He is a Board member of the Economic Advisory Board of the International Finance Corporation (IFC), The Mastercard MEA Advisory Board, the Africa Leadership Academy in South Africa, the Global Alliance for Food Security and Nutrition and is the Chancellor of Meru University College of Science and Technology.

He is a guest lecturer at Stanford, Columbia, MIT, Harvard, IESE and Lagos Business School where Equity Bank Business Model is a case study.

Mary Wamae

GROUP EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Mary holds a Master’s degree in Leading Innovation and Change from York St. John University, UK, a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law. She is a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) and member of The Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya (ICPSK), Law Society of Kenya, Women Corporate Directors and the Kenya Section of International Commission of Jurists. She is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme (Strathmore - IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain) and Advanced Management Programme at Harvard Business School. She is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Gender and Development. She has over 15 years’ experience in private legal practice.

Brent Malahay

GROUP DIRECTOR STRATEGY, STRATEGIC PARTNERSHIPS & INVESTOR RELATIONS

Brent holds a Master’s degree in Economics and a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from the University of KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. He has over 16 years’ experience in financial services with competencies ranging from commercial banking, credit ratings, investment banking and fund management. He has previously worked at Standard Bank, Fitch Ratings, J.P. Morgan and Investec Asset Management. Brent has worked at Equity Group since 2016.

Christine Browne

GROUP DIRECTOR OF LEGAL SERVICES & COMPANY SECRETARY

Christine is a Chevening alumnus who holds a Master of Laws from UCL - University of London. She is an accomplished legal practitioner and has previously worked at The World Bank and the Industrial Promotion Services (K) Limited (IPS). She joined the Group in 2014 after a six year stint as Principal Counsel at East African Development Bank. Prior to her current position, she was the General Manager for Legal, Corporate Banking, Equity Bank (Kenya) Ltd. Christine is a member of Law Society of Kenya, Institute of Certified Public Secretaries of Kenya and International Commission of Jurists, Kenya Section.

James Mutuku

GROUP DIRECTOR, TREASURY

James holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Sociology from Egerton University. He has over 20 years’ experience in Treasury business having worked as a treasury dealer for Co-operative Bank of Kenya, Head of Money Markets and Fixed Income at KCB Kenya and the East Africa Head of Asset Liability Management (ALM), for Standard Chartered Bank Kenya. Before joining Equity Bank, he was the immediate country Head of Financial Markets for Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, where he also doubled up as the Co-Head SCB Uganda Wholesale Bank. He brings a wealth of experience in balance sheet management, fixed income trading and general treasury management. He joined Equity Bank in 2016.

David Ngata

GROUP DIRECTOR, FINANCE

David holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s of Science in Business Analytics from Carnegie Mellon University. He is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He has over 20 years global working experience in the financial services industry. Prior to joining Equity Bank in 2018, he worked at American Express, where he held various roles including leading the global internal audit data analytics practice. He has also specialized in the audit of banking institutions, leasing companies, investment banks and broker dealers with KPMG in New York and Kenya.

OLANREWAJU BAMISEBI

GROUP CHIEF INFORMATION OFFICER

Lanre Bamisebi holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting, Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Computing & Information Technology from the University of Derby, UK and Masters in Business Administration from Durham Business School, UK. He is currently undertaking a PhD in USIU, Nairobi-Kenya.

He is a seasoned IT professional with over 20 years in management experience. He has vast knowledge and has managed IT in 22 African countries. His work experience in the information systems sector spans across consulting, telcom, oil and gas, banking and fintech.

Before joining Equity, he worked in other capacities across the African region as follows; Chief Information Officer at Access Bank, Group Chief Information Officer at Diamond Bank and United Bank for Africa (UBA), Head of IT Projects at MTN Nigeria and Director, Finance & IT at Starcomms.

JOY DIBENEDETTO

GROUP DIRECTOR, COMMUNICATIONS

Joy DiBenedetto holds a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Pathology and Audiology from Marymount Manhattan College in New York City. She is an award-winning entrepreneurial communications professional; a veteran journalist and media executive whose focus has always been global. She is the Founder of the international content and information company -HUM: Human Unlimited Media, Inc. (AKA, HUMNEWS.COM) and has covered major international events – from the studio and in the field – as a storyteller, producer and diplomat for more than 25 years. A founding partner in the C5 Collective, she has maximized the impact and brand awareness of social innovators, corporations, NGO’s, media, academia, and service organizations worldwide.

She is the Immediate Past President/CEO of the Nobel Peace Prize-nominated Friendship Force International (FFI); and was previously the global Vice President of Network Booking and Research for CNN Worldwide; starting her career in Corporate Finance with Turner Broadcasting. Her career squarely spans the media industry as well as humanitarian interests and always builds on the intersection of both for the greatest social impact.

GLORIA BYAMUGISHA

GROUP CHIEF HUMAN CAPITAL OFFICER

Gloria is a HR professional who holds a BBA in Business Administration and Management, an Msc. in Human Resource Management (PGD Award), an MBA in Finance and Administration and a Certificate in Strategic Business Analysis. She is an alumni of Uganda Martyrs University, the University of Bedfordshire, the University of Westminster and London Business School.

She is professionally certified in the following areas; job evaluation, leadership training, performance management, leadership psychometrics (PI) and change management. With over 19 years of experience in Human Resource Management, she has worked in the following industries; public sector, telecommunications and banking. Additionally, she has work experience in more than 10 countries.

JOHN WILSON

GROUP CHIEF RISK OFFICER

John is a graduate of the Swedish Military Academy and holds a Master of Arts in Economics from Uppsala University and a Master of Public Affairs from Woodrow Wilson School at Princeton University.

John began his career at McKinsey & Co in Europe and the former Soviet Union, focusing on manufacturing, transportation and infrastructure companies. He then joined the World Bank Private Sector Development Department working on privatization in Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Russia and Ukraine, and was thereafter seconded to the IFC Global Capital Markets Department. Returning to his native Sweden, John built the Export & Project Finance department at Swedbank, and then headed up Structured Finance, Equity Capital Markets, Investor Relations and Corporate Strategy including M&A. In 2006, he joined Kaupthing Bank as Head of Investment Banking and then returned to IFC in 2008.

Prior to joining Equity Group in August 2019 as Group Chief Operating Officer, John was a Manager in the financial sector in Sub-Saharan Africa for the International Finance Corporation, the private sector development arm of the World Bank Group. Before that, he was responsible for IFC’s banking experts and risk management advisory services as global Head of Banking, and before that a Principal Banking Specialist covering sub-Saharan Africa, stationed in Nairobi since 2008.

Bildard Fwamba

CHIEF INTERNAL AUDITOR

Bildard holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) degree from Kenyatta University and is a Certified Public Accountant and a member of ICPAK. He has worked in the banking sector for 22 years, serving in various senior management capacities. He has extensive knowledge and experience in Financial Management, Risk Management, Internal Controls and Regulatory Oversight. He joined Equity Bank in 2004. Before his current role, Bildard served in various capacities in Equity Bank Kenya Limited including Compliance Manager, Head of Internal Audit, General Manager- Finance and General Manager- Internal Audit. He previously worked with Central Bank of Kenya and Britam.

Gerald Warui

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK KENYA

Gerald holds an Executive Masters of Business Administration degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology (JKUAT). He is a Certified Public Accountant CPA(K) and a graduate of Advanced Management Program from Strathmore- IESE Business School, Barcelona Spain and a career banker. Gerald has vast experience in operations and customer service. Prior to his current position, he served as the Director Operations. Before that, he served as the Director Human Resource and Customer Experience. He joined Equity Bank in 1998.

Samuel Kirubi

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK UGANDA

Samuel holds a Master’s 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). He joined Equity Bank in 2001 and has gained vast experience in operations, marketing and customer service. Samuel previously served as the Chief Operations Officer in Equity Bank South Sudan and most recently as the Managing Director, Equity Bank Rwanda.

Anthony Kituuka

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK UGANDA

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 is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants Certificate (FCCA) and has completed an Advanced Management Program from Strathmore, Lagos and IESE (Spain) Business Schools as well as several other executive leadership programs at Gordon Institute of Business and INSEAD. He has over 13 years banking experience and has previously worked with Kenya Commercial Bank (KCB) and Barclays Bank Uganda Limited. He joined Equity Bank in 2014 and was previously the Group Executive Director for Regional Subsidiaries.

ADDIS ABABA OTHOW

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK SOUTH SUDAN

Addis holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics, a Master’s degree in Economic Development and a PhD degree in political economics from Al-Neelain University, Khartoum, Sudan. He also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Finance and Accounting from Hanze University, Groningen, Netherlands, a PhD degree in Business Administration from Faculty of Business and Economics, Atlantic International University, USA and the Advanced Management Programme(AMP) from Strathmore University, Nairobi, Kenya.

He has a wide range of experience in banking, accounting, finance, and information systems. Prior to joining Equity Bank, he initially worked as a teaching assistant at Al Neelain University, Khartoum and was later appointed as a banking inspector, Central Bank of Sudan in 1997. He also worked as an assistant accountant/ auditor at Dubois & Co Chartered Accountants Amsterdam, The Netherlands, and a consultant at South Sudan Anti-Corruption Commission, a Part-time Lecturer at College of Social & Economics Studies, University of Juba and a Deputy Chairperson of the Board of Trustees of South Sudan Pensions Fund (SSPF). Dr. Othow has also worked as Head of Non-banking Division before he became the Head of Planning, Regulation and Licensing, Central Bank of South Sudan (BSS). He joined Equity Bank in February 2015.

HANNINGTON NAMARA

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK RWANDA

Hannington is the Managing Director of Equity Bank Rwanda. He holds a degree in Business Administration (Finance option) from Makerere University Business School. He is a graduate of Advanced Management Programme from Strathmore Business School. He is a Fellow of the Africa Leadership Initiative-East Africa, a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network.

He has over 19 years of experience in banking and Private Sector Development. He has extensive knowledge and track record in Strategic Leadership, Banking and Finance, Management and Communications. He has held various leadership positions while working with different reputable organisations in the past including TradeMark East Africa, Rwanda Private Sector Federation, Commercial Bank of Rwanda (BCR), Rwanda Investment Export Promotion Agency (RIEPA-now known as Rwanda Development Board). He holds several positions of responsibility in Boards of Corporates and Parastatals.

Robert Kiboti

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK TANZANIA (TZ)

Robert holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics and Administration from Maharshi Dayanand University, India. He has attended several professional courses in banking and finance both locally and internationally. He has over 24 years’ experience in banking, where he has held various leadership positions. Before joining Equity Bank Tanzania, he was the General Manager in charge of Equity Bank Supreme Centre. Prior to joining Equity Bank, he was in Industrial Development Bank, where he worked for 7 years in various capacities. Robert joined Equity Bank in May 2005.

Célestin Muntuabu

MANAGING DIRECTOR, EQUITY BANK CONGO

Célestin holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and Management from the Protestant University in Congo. Besides his training in leadership, he also holds a degree in Banking Administration from ProCredit Academy – Germany. Prior to joining the banking sector, he worked with the International Training Center, a consulting cabinet specialized in the training of business executives in internal audit and strengthening of the systems of internal control for companies.

Célestin was a Permanent Secretary and Clerk Trainer at the International Training Center. He was Deputy CEO (2008- 2014) in ProCredit Bank Congo. He was listed among the Top 100 Young African leaders by Choiseul for two consecutive years (2017 and 2018). Celestin is the current Chairman of the United Nations Global Compact DRC Network.

Reuben Mbindu

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, EQUITY GROUP FOUNDATION

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 over 31 years’ work experience, most of which has been in the banking sector as a human capital specialist. He joined Equity Bank in 2013 from Standard Chartered, where he had served at senior management levels in Human Resources for over 15 years. He has also worked in other sectors including public sector (UNEP), consultancy (Deloitte) and ICT (Siemens, Germany). He has also served in other senior positions including Head of Corporate Affairs - Standard Chartered, East Africa and Chairman of the Standard Chartered Nairobi Marathon. Reuben joined Equity Group as the Chief Officer, Human Capital and Administration and was additionally appointed to run operations of the Equity Group Foundation as Executive REUBEN MBINDU Executive Director, Equity Group Foundation.