PAUL RUSSO IS NOW THE BOSS OF KCB GROUP

The board of KCB Group has appointed Paul Russo as the company’s Group Chief Executive Officer (GCEO). He has taken over from   Joshua Oigara who has been the GCEO for the last nine and a half years.  Waigara will be available for a period of time to support a smooth transition. The appointment follows a competitively run selection process that kicked off in March this year.

 Russo brings a wealth of experience in banking, operational management, people management, strategy as well as  a   sharp business acumen. He has over twenty years of work experience spanning executive and key roles including Group Human Resources Director, KCB Group.  He holds an MBA from Strathmore University Business School and a bachelor of business management degree from Moi University.  Additionally, he holds a senior executive programme for Africa Certificate from Harvard Business School and a higher diploma in Human Resource Management from the Institute of Human Resource Management (Kenya).

Russo has an outstanding track record in leadership. Over the past eight years while at KCB, he has been involved in the running of key strategic assignments within the group business, lately looking after the regional businesses (KCB’s businesses in Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Uganda, South Sudan)  as well as KCB Capital and KCB bancassurance intermediary and  the National Bank of Kenya.  “He is therefore the right person for the job and will take the group to the next level in its growth ambitions to become the undisputed regional leader and drive much-needed business transformation for greater impact of economies and communities around us,” said KCB Group Chairman Andrew Kairu adding that the board is confident that he will carry on with the group’s resolve to simplify the world of its stakeholders. “During his tenure at NBK, he has executed a significant turnaround, moving the previously lossmaking business into profitability and on a trajectory for stronger growth into the future,” he added.

The board commended Waigara for his service to the group since joining in 2011. “Waigara has had a fantastic run as the group CEO and MD. He has led the group through its fastest growth in a decade. He has left a solid legacy for the group across Africa and beyond that is dotted by transformation of millions of lives, enhanced financial inclusion across the region, digital banking innovations and has built a group that is anchored on sustainable business practices,” emphasized Kairu.