Olufemi Adeyemi  |
| Meet Jeremy Awori, Ecobank Group's incoming Chief Executive Officer |
- Jeremy Awori is a Kenyan business executive with 25 years of cognate experience in the African banking industry.
- The 51 years old is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Absa Bank Kenya.
- He will take over from outgoing CEO Ade Ayeyemi.
Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI), the parent company of the Ecobank Group, yesterday announced that the current Group Chief Executive Officer, Ade Ayeyemi, will retire after he attains the age of 60, in accordance with ETI policy.
The bank in a statement said the Board of Directors selected
Jeremy Awori to succeed Ade Ayeyemi as Group Chief Executive Officer.
Ecobank Group Chairman, Alain Nkontchou, thanked Ade for his
immense contribution during his seven years at the helm of the Ecobank Group as
Group CEO.He added that, “Ade can be rightly proud of his success in leading
the implementation of the Roadmap to Leadership strategy, navigating Ecobank
through challenges, seizing opportunities, and positioning Ecobank for
sustainable long-term growth. Ade’s deep knowledge, unrivaled vision,
commitment and infinite passion made all the difference. It has been a real pleasure
working with him. I count on his continuous support to ensure a smooth
transition as we onboard Jeremy Awori as the new Group CEO.”
“Jeremy Awori is a highly respected leader in the banking
industry with significant achievements in his previous capacities. The Board of
Directors strongly believes that his drive and strong focus on results will be
vital in steering the Group in its next phase” Alain Nkontchou stated.
Ayeyemi expressed his deep gratitude for the opportunity to
lead the Ecobank Group and stated: “It is a privilege to lead an amazing team
of Ecobankers in bringing the Ecobank Group back to growth and continuing to
realise our commendable pan-African mandate.” He also expressed his commitment
to a smooth transition and onboarding of his successor.
The incoming Group CEO, Jeremy Awori, responding to the
announcement of his appointment said: “It is a great honour to be appointed
Ecobank Group’s Chief Executive Officer. I look forward to consolidating the
transformation of Ecobank, a truly pan-African institution full of talented
people, while innovating to create value for all Ecobank’s stakeholders.
I am humbled by the opportunity to contribute to the
continent’s economic development and financial integration with Ecobank Group.”
Jeremy Awori is joining Ecobank Group following a
twenty-five-year long career in the banking industry, with almost a decade
leading Absa Bank Kenya Plc as the CEO & Managing Director.
The Kenyan national is currently the Chief Executive Officer
of Absa Bank Kenya (formerly Barclays Bank Kenya Limited), a role he has held
for over ten years.
He earlier worked as the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank
Tanzania between 2008 and 2013. He was also Standard Chartered Bank's Regional
Sales Director in the Middle East, South Asia and Africa between 2006 and 2008.
Earlier, he served as Standard Chartered's Head of Consumer
Banking in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) between 2003 and 2006.
Awori initially trained as a Pharmacist at the University of
Manchester, graduating in 1991 with a BSc. in Pharmacy. He practised as a
Pharmacist briefly before moving to Canada in 1994 to study for his MBA in
Finance & International Business at McGill University.
His banking career kicked off afterwards in Canada upon
completion of his MBA degree in 1996. He is aged 51 years old.