These included the promotions of Wunmi Ehis-Uzenabor as
Executive Director, Operations, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management; Busola Jejelowo
as Executive Director, Investments, Stanbic IBTC Asset Management; Emi
Agaba-Oloja, Executive Director, Stanbic IBTC Trustees; and Sakeenat Bakare,
Executive Director, Business Development, Stanbic IBTC Insurance.
These promotions which were in line with Stanbic IBTC’s
corporate governance structure and succession policy further showcased the
financial institution’s posture as an equal opportunity organisation. Both male
and female employees are privileged to rise as far as their skills, talents,
and dedication permit them”.
Stanbic IBTC has always been forward-looking in terms of its
recruitment and succession policies. Having held the belief that females are as
talented as their male counterparts and can contribute immensely to businesses
and the society’s growth if given equal opportunity. The belief was underscored
at the commencement of operations by Stanbic IBTC many decades ago.
Over 30 years ago, when Atedo Peterside conceived the idea
to establish an investment bank, one that would be matched as the best in the
industry, and transform the investment and corporate banking landscape in years
to come, he realised the importance of engaging the best hands and minds. He
set to work to achieve that and opted for a gender-balanced workforce as he
employed as many females as males in senior management roles.
Sola David-Borha was appointed Head, Credit and Marketing
Department; Oluwande Muoyo was appointed head of the Treasury and Financial
Services Department; and Angela Omo-Dare became the Company Secretary and Head,
Legal Services of legacy IBTC.
These appointments were against the grain. At that time, the
financial services industry, particularly the investment and corporate banking
sector was male-dominated, with C-suite and D-level executives being mostly
men.
Atedo was however determined to redefine the industry, and
he knew that only the best would help him achieve his objectives, irrespective
of gender. Thus, he built a reliable team consisting of both male and female
players. The tradition was established at the commencement of the business to
give both genders equal opportunity in recruitment, on-the-job training, human
capital development, promotions, and remuneration.
His foresight was handsomely rewarded. In five short years,
legacy IBTC had become the leading investment and corporate banking company in
the country and successfully displaced industry giants in merchant banking of
that era.
More than 30 years later, and having gone through a series
of transformations, including mergers and becoming a holding company, Stanbic
IBTC still maintained that equal opportunity legacy.
Employees of the organisation are exposed to quality and
regular training to update their knowledge and skills, starting from its
graduate training academy. New intakes are exposed to the institution’s work
ethics, core values and executive training programmes here in Nigeria and
overseas.
Sola David-Borha rose through the ranks to become the Chief
Executive of the Bank and later of the Holding Company before moving on to a
higher role with the mother brand, Standard Bank Group. Yewande Sadiku rose to
become Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC Capital, the Group’s investment banking
arm and later Executive Director, overseeing Corporate and Investment Banking
at Stanbic IBTC Bank PLC before she took up a government appointment.
Bunmi Dayo-Olagunju was also Chief Executive of Stanbic IBTC
Asset Management before becoming the Executive Director, Operations of the
Bank. Other top females in the Group included the Chief Executive of Stanbic
IBTC Stockbrokers, Titi Ogungbesan; an Executive Director with the pension
subsidiary, Nike Bajomo; Oyinda Akinyemi
and Olusola Carrena as Executive Directors in Stanbic IBTC Capital, among
others. Today, the Stanbic IBTC workforce is highly symbolic, with 57% men and
43% women.
This legacy has continued to help the business attract and
retain the very best. The benefits have been immense in terms of growth as
staff show a rare dedication to duty and a hunger to help transform the Stanbic
IBTC brand into the leading end-to-end financial services institution in the
country. The commitment has consistently been reflected in the Group’s market
share across the gamut of the financial services industry and the institutions’
bottom line.
Over 30 years later, Stanbic IBTC had remained at the
forefront of gender equality and inclusion, as shown by its employment and
succession legacy. But more importantly, it continued to demonstrate its belief
in a gender-balanced representation in all areas of society through
women-focused initiatives. In 2020, for instance, it temporarily changed its
logo colour from blue to magenta to celebrate the UN Women HeForShe brand.
Stanbic IBTC has created an environment where women feel
appreciated and are rewarded accordingly. “For us, achieving gender inclusiveness
is not only a fundamental human right but also a business imperative,” said
Sogunle.
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