Ecobank’s new appointments to drive 5-year growth and transformation strategy

• Ecobank’s new appointments have combined the commercial and the consumer businesses, under the leadership of Anup Suri.
• Martin Miruka joins Ecobank as the Group Executive for Transformation, Enablement, and Customer Experience.
• Abena Osei-Poku appointed as the Regional Executive for Anglophone West Africa.

Pan-African lender, Ecobank, has announced the appointment of key senior executives to bolster its leadership team and spearhead the implementation of its new Growth, Transformation, and Returns (GTR) strategy.

Ecobank’s new appointments come at a crucial moment when the lender aims to solidify its position as a preferred bank and a pioneer in providing responsive, innovative, and cost-effective financial solutions across Africa.

The latest appointments have seen Abena Osei-Poku appointed as the Regional Executive for Anglophone West Africa and will also serve as the Managing Director of Ecobank Ghana.

With a wealth of experience in the financial sector, Osei-Poku brings strategic insights and leadership skills that will be instrumental in driving growth and fostering strong relationships within the region.

Martin Miruka joins Ecobank as the Group Executive for Transformation, Enablement, and Customer Experience. Miruka’s extensive background in transformational strategies will play a pivotal role in enhancing Ecobank’s operational efficiency and delivering exceptional customer experiences across its diverse markets.

Anup Suri assumes the role of Group Executive for Commercial and Consumer Banking, leveraging his expertise in retail banking to drive customer-centric initiatives and innovative product offerings tailored to meet the evolving needs of Ecobank’s clientele.

Michael Larbie, appointed as Group Executive for Corporate and Investment Banking, brings a wealth of knowledge and experience in corporate finance and investment strategies.

Larbie’s leadership will be instrumental in strengthening Ecobank’s position as a preferred partner for businesses seeking comprehensive financial solutions.

Thierry Mbimi takes on the role of Group Executive for Internal Audit & Management Services, where he will lead efforts to ensure robust internal controls and governance frameworks across Ecobank’s operations, reinforcing the bank’s commitment to transparency and accountability.

Significance of Ecobank’s new appointments 

According to Jeremy Awori, the Chief Executive Officer, Ecobank Group, as the lender embarks on its next phase of growth and transformation, these executives will play a pivotal role in shaping the bank’s future success and cementing its position as a leader in the African financial services landscape.

“These appointments are crucial to the execution of our recently announced five-year Growth, Transformation and Returns strategy. I am delighted that they are joining our leadership team, each bringing proven, valuable, global and African financial services experience. I have no doubt that they will play pivotal roles in driving Ecobank’s future growth and success,” said Awori.

Ecobank Group has decided to combine the commercial and the consumer businesses, under the leadership of Anup Suri, underscoring its commitment to strengthening these two business units to drive growth.

In addition, the establishment of the new role of Transformation, Enablement, and Customer Experience underscores the Group’s determination to prioritizing the necessary leadership for the successful execution of its transformation.

Abena Osei Poku joined Ecobank in January. She is an accomplished Pan-African business leader with over 25 years of experience in the financial services industry. Her expertise spans Corporate and Investment banking, Business banking and Risk Management across Africa.

Combined experience to drive growth

Her previous roles include Executive Director for Commercial Banking, responsible for Corporate & Business Banking at Barclays Bank Ghana; Co-Regional Head of Coverage, Corporate & Investment Banking at Absa Bank Group, overseeing East and West Africa; and CEO and Managing Director of Absa Bank Ghana.

Abena takes over from Daniel Sackey who is retiring from the Bank. We thank Daniel Sackey for his leadership, commitment, and effective service across the continent over the past 27 years at Ecobank.

Martin Miruka, who joined Ecobank in February, brings with him 25 years’ experience as C-suite executive, business strategist, serial entrepreneur, and angel investor with strong credentials on pan-African transformation.

His previous roles include Group Head of Business Transformation, Customer Experience, and Innovation at Equity Group Holdings, where he successfully led transformation by breaking the Group’s strategic and operational silos, aligning technology investments with business strategy, and ultimately delivering a branded Customer Experience across multiple African countries.

He was also the Founder/CEO of Atom TDF, Kenya’s first indigenous brand strategy and innovation consultancy, and Kava Africa, a fintech/Insurtech based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Anup Suri assumed his new role in March. He brings a wealth of over 30 years of senior leadership experience across various industries and organisations in both developed and emerging markets across Asia, Africa, the Middle East, Europe, the UK, North America and South America.

He joins Ecobank Group from HSBC Group where he was Managing Director, Global Head of Retail Sales and Third-Party Distribution. Anup previously held other senior roles at Standard Chartered Group, Standard Chartered Bank and ABN Amro.

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Michael Larbie, who assumed his role in March, brings over 25 years of global senior financial services and investment banking experience.

He served as CEO of International & Broader Africa at Rand Merchant Bank (RMB), prior to which he held the positions of CEO & Managing Director of RMB Nigeria and Regional Head of West Africa, as well as Head of Coverage & Investment Banking for Africa (excluding South Africa).

His experience also includes senior investment banking roles at Merrill Lynch and senior project management roles at American International Group. Michael takes over from Eric Odhiambo, who will retire from Ecobank at the end of April.

We thank Eric Odhiambo for his unwavering commitment, invaluable contribution, and dedicated service over the past six and a half years, first as Chief Risk Officer and then as Group Executive of Corporate and Investment Banking.

Thierry Mbimi, who also started in March, has 27 years of extensive industry and consulting experience, with the last 17 years in director-level roles. He brings with him a wealth of global experience in audit and risk management, complemented by a solid background in technology.

Thierry was the CEO & Managing Partner for KPMG Central Africa (Audit, Tax, and Advisory), prior to which he held several roles in the organisation, including Partner and Head of West Africa Financial Risk Management, Lead Partner for the Financial Services Sector in Francophone sub-Saharan Africa and Global Services Lead Partner for the African Development Bank.