Prof Olive M. Mugenda - Group Chairperson

Date of Appointment: 21st October 2021

Prof. Mugenda is a seasoned academic researcher and administrator with specialization in Women/Girl’s Education, Research Methods & Statistics, Leadership and Governance. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.), Iowa State University, USA. Master of Business Administration, Eastern and Southern Africa Management Institute, (ESAMI), Arusha, Tanzania. Master of Science (M.Sc.), Iowa State University, USA and Bachelor of Education (First Class Honours), University of Nairobi.

Currently, she is the Chairperson – Kenyatta University Teaching, Referral & Research Hospital; Chancellor, KCA University (November 2019) among others. She was the Vice-Chancellor, Kenyatta University for 10 years – between March 20^th, 2006 to March 20^th, 2016. During her tenure, the University grew in both stature and financial strength.

Dr. Benson I Wairegi - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 1st April 2008

Dr. Benson I. Wairegi, EBS, worked for Britam Holdings Plc in various capacities and held the position of Chief Executive Officer and Group Managing Director before retiring in January 2021. He had previously worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers before joining Britam. He has significant insurance, investment and financial services industry experience. Dr Wairegi is currently the Chancellor of Kenyatta University. He is also the Chairman of Endeavor Kenya, a US based organization headquartered in New York City that is pioneering the concept of high-impact entrepreneurship in growth markets around the world. 

He is a former Chairman of the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) and former Board Member of the Board of Trustees of the Insurance Training and Education Trust (ITET). Dr. Wairegi holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) from Kenyatta University, Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA-K) and a Fellow of the Kenya Institute of Management. 

Dr. Peter Munga - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 1st July 2008 

Dr. Peter K. Munga, EGH, is a Certified Public Secretary with vast experience in both public and private sector management. He holds two honorary doctorates, Doctor of Letters (Honoris Causa) from The University of Nairobi, and Entrepreneurship (Honoris Causa) from Kenya Methodist University.

He has a Diploma in Human Resources and Financial Management. He has received the highest presidential award to a civilian, the First-Class Chief of the Order of the Burning Spear (CBS) and also the Second-Class Order of the Golden Heart of Kenya (EGH) national decoration, for his outstanding contributions in economic development. Dr. Munga is the Chairman of Pioneer Group of Schools, Equatorial Nut Processors Limited and Murang’a Water and Sewerage Company (MWASCO). He is the current Chancellor of Pioneer International University. He is also a Director at Britam Holdings Plc. 

Felister Kembi - Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 26th September 2016

Ms. Felister W. Kembi joined the board on 26th September 2016. She is a graduate of the University of Nairobi with a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce (Accounting option). She is also a CPA (K) holder and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).

Felister has vast experience having worked for Kenya Airways, East African Portland Cement, Kenya Times, Bellhouse Mwangi, Ernst & Young and Roussel of EA later known as AgrEvo EA Limited. mainly as an accountant, auditor and Finance Manager. She is also a Director of Felicity Exclusive Designs, a major importer and distributor of clothing and household goods.

Constance Gakonyo - Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 17th April 2014

Ms. Gakonyo is a strategic management expert with extensive legal and corporate governance experience. She has held a variety of senior management positions including that of Legal Consultant and head of the performance management portfolio for SABMiller Africa Asia (Pty) Limited.

She holds a Law Degree from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Strategic Management. Constance is a member of the Law Society of Kenya (LSK), Certified Public Secretaries CPS (K) and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. She chairs the Group’s Nomination and Governance Committee. Constance has also served on the Boards of East African Breweries Limited (EABL) and on the Group Boards of REAL Insurance Co. Limited (Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, and Tanzania).

Charles Kimani Njuguna - Non-Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 14th January 2022

Mr. Njuguna is currently the Group Finance Director, Britam Holdings PLC. He has over 20 years’ experience in the Financial Services sector where he has managed transformational and turnaround projects, having worked with ABN Amro Bank, GT Bank, Family Bank, Old Mutual and Faulu Micro-Finance Bank where he was the Managing Director.

He holds an MBA (Finance) from the University of Nairobi, Bsc (Accounting) from United States International University – Africa (USIU) and is a CPA (K) and CPS (K).  He is a graduate of Strategic Leadership in Inclusive Finance (Harvard Business School), Advanced Management Program, Strathmore - IESE Business School, University of Navarra (Spain) and Africa Board Fellowship (ACCION – Centre for Financial Inclusion).

Dr. Anthony Omerikwa - Independent & Non-Executive Director

Date of Appointment: 18th January 2022

Dr. Omerikwa, MBS is currently a Consultant with the World Bank and was the immediate former CEO/Managing Trustee of the National Social Security Fund. Prior to this, he served as the Acting General Manager Operations in the same institution overseeing Information Technology, Human Resource, Administration and Procurement functions.

He holds a Doctoral Degree from the University of Georgia in Human Resource & Organization Development, a Specialist Advanced Degree in Labour, Workforce Development and Education and a Master of Science Degree in Human Resource Development both from Pittsburgh State University, a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics from Kenyatta University and a Diploma in Data Processing and Management from Strathmore College. Dr. Omerikwa is an associate member of the Institute of Human Resource Management, Institute of Directors and Kenya Institute of Management.

Anne Kimari - Director

 Anne is a committed and dedicated professional with twenty-five years’ experience in SME Banking, General Management, Accounting, Finance, Strategic Management, Tax, Risk, Audit, Microfinance, and has Corporate Governance and Board experience. She is the founder and principal consultant of Finebridge Associates Limited, providing Finance and Microfinance Consultancy services.

She holds an MBA Finance – United States International University – Africa (USIU), Bachelor of Commerce Finance option – University of Nairobi. She is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA), a member of ICPAK and a Fellow of ACCA. She holds an Executive Certificate in SME Banking – Frankfurt School – Germany and a Microfinance Trainer of Trainers (MFTOT) Certificate from Asian Development Bank (Tokyo, Japan) in collaboration with the World Bank and UNCTAD. She has worked in senior roles in Microfinance Institutions.

Robert Kibaara - Group Chief Executive Officer

Robert is a renowned banker, with over 26 years’ experience and an excellent record of accomplishment in successfully driving change, revenue mobilization and delivering outstanding business results. He has previously held several leadership positions including Retail Director at NIC Bank; Executive Director - Retail and Business Banking at National Bank of Kenya; Standard Chartered Bank; among other executive positions at Barclays Bank of Kenya.

He holds an MBA Degree from Strathmore University, Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Sunderland (UK) and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK

Dr. Kaushik Manek - Director

Dr. Kaushik Manek, EBS was appointed as a Non-Executive Director of HF Group PLC effective 26th June 2015. Upon completing his education, locally in Kenya and the UK, Dr. Manek joined the family business in 1978 and has since been instrumental in its growth from a small retail shop in Nairobi to multi-faceted business interests in Kenya.

Dr. Manek is committed to both social and community service. This is exhibited through his extensive involvement with Rotary since 1997, having worked through the ranks within the club level and eventually serving as District Governor in 2008- 2009. His social service spans beyond Rotary and is reflected through community leadership roles within the Lohana community and the Desai Memorial Foundation, amongst others.

Dr. Benson I Wairegi - Director

Dr. Benson I. Wairegi, EBS, has worked for Britam Holdings Plc in various capacities and is the immediate former Group Managing Director. He previously worked with PricewaterhouseCoopers. He is the Chancellor of Kenyatta University and also the Chairman of Endeavor Kenya an organization headquartered in New York City that is pioneering the concept of high-impact entrepreneurship in growth markets around the world. He is a former Chairman of the Association of Kenya Insurers (AKI) and former Board Member of the Board of Trustees of the Insurance Training and Education Trust (ITET).

Dr. Wairegi holds an Honorary Doctorate Degree (Honoris Causa) from Kenyatta University, Bachelor of Commerce and Master of Business Administration degrees from the University of Nairobi. He is a Certified Public Accountant(CPA-K). He has significant insurance and financial services industry experience.

Gladys Ogallo - Director

Gladys Ogallo holds a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Education degree.

Gladys has successfully completed the Women Directors Leadership Summit; a leadership development program facilitated by Strathmore University, Canfield University and WCD

She is trained, certified and accredited by both PDA International and SHL Talent Management. Both are global leaders in talent assessment solutions, supporting organisations in the selection, performance management and development of people at all levels and across all sectors.

She has over 14 years’ experience in the ICT sector working with Africa Online as a Training & Development Manager in charge of 9 countries in Africa and later Head of Human Resource at UUNET (now MTN Business).

Her rich two-decades career in HR management has seen her manage and later consult for leading organizations across the continent where she deploys expertise in talent management, talent development, Assessment tests, Labour law, recruitment and performance management

Gladys HR career has spanned several countries including Ghana, Cote d’ivoire, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Namibia, Swaziland, Rwanda, Uganda, and Tanzania. 

She is the Managing Director and Founder of Virtual Human Resources Services Ltd.

Gladys is the Vice Chairman of the Group on Capacity Building Initiatives (GCBI). GCBI is constituted by World Telecommunications Development Conference of the International Telecommunications Union (ITU), based in Geneva, Switzerland

Gladys is a non-executive Director of HFC (formerly Housing Finance Company of Kenya) the premier mortgage Finance Institution in Kenya licenced under the Banking Act. Gladys is the Chairman of the Risk Committee of the Bank

She is also a non-executive director of Pacis Insurance Co Ltd and the Chairman of the Remuneration & IT Committee

Gladys is an adjunct faculty at Strathmore Business School, Nairobi where she facilitates leadership training to senior executives at the Business School

Gladys has great focus on developing skills and talent and is the Founder and Executive Director of Azizi Hair & Beauty College

Gladys is a member of Women Corporate Directors (Kenya Chapter). WCD is the only global membership organization and community of women corporate directors. During the 2016 WCD Global Institute in New York, Gladys made a presentation on “What’s working – Diversity around the World”

Gladys has been a facilitator of several global workshops in New York, South Korea, Geneva, Portugal, Zambia, Egypt and South Africa among others

John Nicholas Ashford- Hodges - Director

Mr. Ashford-Hodges was appointed a Non-Executive Director of HFC Limited effective 26th June 2015. He is a Chartered

Accountant and Financial Director with broad based international experience particularly in the financial services sector and African markets, and is a former Chairman of Britam in Kenya.

Mr. Ashford-Hodges is currently a Director of NNAH Services Limited, a personal service company providing advisory and consulting services, based in Windsor, UK.

He holds a Master’s degree in Engineering Science from Wadham College, Oxford, and is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales.

Shilpa Haria - Director

Shilpa Haria joined the board on 15^th April 2016. She is a Certified Accountant, a Fellow of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountants (FCCA) and a practicing member of the Institute of Certified Accountants (ICPAK). She is also a certified Coach (AoEC) and a Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

She has vast experience in the finance sector having worked with Pricewaterhouse Coopers Nairobi, as a Financial Controller Aga Khan Hospital Nairobi, Group Chief Finance Officer Kensta Group, Head of Finance Eveready East Africa Limited and Group Financial Controller Access Kenya Group Limited

She is currently a Director of Unga Group Plc, Resolution Insurance and also serves as a consultant Chief Financial Officer for the Flame Tree Group.

Robert Kibaara - Director

Robert is a renowned banker, with over 26 years’ experience and an excellent record of accomplishment in successfully driving change, revenue mobilization and delivering outstanding business results. He has previously held several leadership positions including Retail Director at NIC Bank; Executive Director - Retail and Business Banking at National Bank of Kenya; Standard Chartered Bank; among other executive positions at Barclays Bank of Kenya.

He holds an MBA Degree from Strathmore University, Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Sunderland (UK) and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK

Dr. Dorcas Muthoni - Director

Dr. Dorcas Muthoni is an entrepreneur, computer scientist and founder of OPENWORLD LTD, a software consulting company she started at the age of 24. She has over 20 years’ experience and demonstrated ability to use technology to solve business problems and deliver bottom-line results.

Muthoni is also the founder of the regional organization AfChix, a mentorship and capacity building initiative for women in computing across Africa. Globally, she has been involved and honored in technology leadership by the Internet Society (ISOC), World Economic Forum (WEF), AnitaB Institute and the Pompeu Fabra University (UPF) in Spain.

Jane Kilonzo - Director

Ms. Jane Kilonzo is a career banker with over 26 years’ experience in the banking sector cutting across all banking operations. Her last role was at Bank of Africa Kenya Limited where she worked for over 14 years, rising through the management ranks to the position of Deputy Managing Director. Prior to that she worked as the Chief Internal Auditor at Credit Agricole Indosuez Bank. Jane has hands on experience in general banking operations, internal control design and implementation, internal audit and management of enterprise-wide risk. She has extensive experience leading and managing change.

She holds an Executive MBA, ACIB/BSc Financial Services and is a Certified Public Accountant of Kenya, CPA (K).

Peter Mugeni - Managing Director, HFC

Peter is a seasoned Banker, with over 15 years’ experience in Credit Risk Management and Operations, as well as leading large teams both regionally and across Africa. Through his experience, he has formulated and implemented business strategies which have made significant turnaround impacts to the Organizations he has worked for. He joined HF Group from Standard Bank of South Africa where he was Credit Executive responsible for Sanctioning and Monitoring of Large Exposures from Stanbic Africa entities (including Kenya). Prior to that, he was the Head of Credit, Personal and Business Banking for Stanbic Bank Tanzania for 5 years.

Peter has previously worked at HF Group Plc as an Accounts Officer, Credit Analyst and Assistant Credit Manager, and with Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited as Credit Origination Manager (Corporate & Investment Banking), Credit Evaluation Manager (Personal and Business Banking) and Head of Credit, Business Banking. He holds a Master of Science in Finance (Banking Option) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance Option) both from the University of Nairobi. In addition, he is a Certified Retail Banker (CRB), Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and a fellow of the Retail Banking Academy of the United Kingdom.

Robert Kibaara - Group Chief Executive Officer

Robert is a renowned banker, with over 26 years’ experience and an excellent record of accomplishment in successfully driving change, revenue mobilization and delivering outstanding business results. He has previously held several leadership positions including Retail Director at NIC Bank; Executive Director - Retail and Business Banking at National Bank of Kenya; Standard Chartered Bank; among other executive positions at Barclays Bank of Kenya.

He holds an MBA Degree from Strathmore University, Bachelor’s Degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Sunderland (UK) and a Post Graduate Diploma from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) UK

Peter Mugeni - Managing Director, HFC

Peter is a seasoned Banker, with over 15 years’ experience in Credit Risk Management and Operations, as well as leading large teams both regionally and across Africa. Through his experience, he has formulated and implemented business strategies which have made significant turnaround impacts to the Organizations he has worked for. He joined HF Group from Standard Bank of South Africa where he was Credit Executive responsible for Sanctioning and Monitoring of Large Exposures from Stanbic Africa entities (including Kenya). Prior to that, he was the Head of Credit, Personal and Business Banking for Stanbic Bank Tanzania for 5 years.

Peter has previously worked at HF Group Plc as an Accounts Officer, Credit Analyst and Assistant Credit Manager, and with Stanbic Bank Kenya Limited as Credit Origination Manager (Corporate & Investment Banking), Credit Evaluation Manager (Personal and Business Banking) and Head of Credit, Business Banking. He holds a Master of Science in Finance (Banking Option) and a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance Option) both from the University of Nairobi. In addition, he is a Certified Retail Banker (CRB), Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) and a fellow of the Retail Banking Academy of the United Kingdom.

Regina Anyika - Company Secretary and Director, Legal

Regina is a seasoned legal professional with expertise in governance, commercial law, labour relations and dispute resolution, deal structuring for Capital Raising including corporate bonds, Rights Issues, Mergers and Acquisitions. She joined HF Group Plc in September 2013 and is currently the Company Secretary and Director, Legal. Prior to joining the bank, Regina worked with the Co-operative Bank of Kenya Limited and Senator Cards Limited.

She holds an MBA (Employee Relations) from the University of Leicester, LLB from the University of Nairobi, Diploma from the Kenya School of Law and is a Certified Public Secretary of Kenya (CPS K). She is an award-winning legal expert, having been recognized in the 2015 Legal 500’s list of the top 100 corporate counsel in Africa (www.Legal500.com).

Joseph Ngare - General Manager, Audit

Joseph joined HF Group Plc on 19th April, 2010 as the Head of Audit. Prior to joining the Company, he worked with Gulf African Bank and Cooperative Bank of Kenya Limited.

Joseph holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree (Finance Option) and is a qualified Certified Public Accountant (Kenya), Certified Internal Auditor (CIA) and a Certified Quality Assessor (QA).

Kennedy Gachoki - Head Of Risk

Kennedy joined HF Group Plc in November 2015 to oversee the Enterprise Risk Management Division with functional reporting responsibilities to Board Risk Committee. He joined the Group from Central Bank of Kenya (CBK) where he had served since June 2008, in Bank Supervision Department. He has vast experience in banking risk management processes including in risk identification, risk measurement, risk control and risk monitoring. He has also participated in several international and local forums on banking risk management including compliance related trainings.

Kennedy holds a Master Degree in Business Administration (MBA-Finance) from the University of Nairobi and a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting. He is also a Certified Public Accountant CPA (K).

Patrick Njunge - Director, Retail

Patrick is a seasoned results-driven banker with 12 years’ experience in banking. He has good experience in building business units, driving innovation and entrenching excellence in customer experience. Patrick has managed various business units and has broad experience in digital and retail banking. Some of the roles he has managed in the past include Portfolio Manager - Lending; Head of Credit Cards business, Head of Retail Products and Segments, and Head of Digital Business across 3 banks; NIC Bank, National Bank and Standard Chartered Bank.

Patrick is a holder of a Global Executive MBA from USIU in partnership with Frankfurt School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics, among other qualifications.

Joseph Chikove - Director, Treasury

Joseph is a seasoned treasury professional, with over 13 years’ experience in the banking industry across the East African Region. He has had an excellent track record orchestrating high team performance in the treasury business. Prior to joining HF Group Plc in 2019, Joseph held various positions including Head of Treasury at NIC Bank Uganda, Senior Treasury Dealer at NIC Bank Tanzania and Treasury Dealer at NIC Bank Kenya and Fina Bank Kenya Limited.

Joseph is currently undertaking his Master’s in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from University of Nairobi. He also holds an ACI Dealing Certificate and is a member of the Financial Markets Association of Kenya (ACI Kenya) and a student member of Chartered Institute for Securities and Investments.

David Igweta - Chief Operations Officer

David is an astute ICT and operations expert with over 23 years of experience in Information Technology and Banking. Before joining HF Group Plc, he worked as the Head of Technology and Operations at Spire Bank, GM ICT at NIC Bank, Soluziona (an entity affiliated to the Spanish Power company as a systems consultant) and Car and General. He has expertise in policy formulation and best practice in ICT governance standards implementation, project and program management, IT Security and key strategic road map formulation and roll-out. He is well versed with IT and operational trends in banking and payment systems with deep involvement in Fin-tech engagements and partnerships.

David holds a degree in Mathematics and Computer Studies from Kenyatta University and various accreditation and certifications. He brings this expertise and experience to HF Group Plc.

Tonney Agira - Director, Strategy and Business Performance

Tonney is a seasoned Banker, with over 14 years’ experience in strategy development & execution, business intelligence and analytics, retail banking and products management. Through his experience, he has been able to achieve business results which have made significant turnaround impacts to the organizations he has worked for, including growth in revenue and profitability; process improvements; development of business scorecards and frameworks that created excellence in market execution.

He has previously held several senior roles including Head of Products, Head of Retail Strategy & Analytics at NIC Bank; Head of Retail Lending, and Manager Business Intelligence & Analytics at National Bank of Kenya; and a Business Analyst among other roles at Barclays Bank of Kenya.

Tonney holds a Bachelor’s of Science degree (Biomedical Science & Technology - Pharmacology option) and is currently undertaking his MBA. He is a data and analytics enthusiast and has several certifications in this field including predictive analytics and propensity modeling certifications. He is also a yellow belt holder of the Lean six sigma process re-engineering program

Sammy Kamanthi - Group Chief Finance Officer

Sammy is a finance professional and a seasoned banker with over 19 years track record in the banking industry. His role includes providing leadership in financial forecasting & budgets, overseeing the preparation of financial reports as well as advisory on long term business and financial planning. Prior to joining HF Group Plc, he held the position of General Manager and Head of Finance for the Kenya operations at Equity Bank. He has also served as the Finance Manager & Head of Financial Reporting at the same institution. Sammy has also held other positions including Accountant at Kenya Airways; Graduate Management Trainee, Senior Bank Officer and Assistant Finance Manager at the Central Bank of Kenya.

Sammy holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting from Kenyatta University, Master’s Degree in International Development Studies, Development Economics from National Graduate Institute of Policy Studies – Tokyo, Japan and Master in Business Administration (MBA) – Finance, from Edinburgh Business School (EBS), Heriot -Watt Univ – Edinburgh. He is a Certified Public Accountant CPA (K) and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants (ICPAK).

Nkatha Gitonga - Director, Marketing, Corporate Affairs and Citizenship

Nkatha is a seasoned marketer with 23 years’ experience spanning entertainment, advertising & media, aviation, ICT & financial sectors.  She is passionate about brands, communication, coaching, culture, sustainability & shared value. Nkatha has led innovative strategic project teams to successfully realize the business objectives of leading organizations in Africa.

She honed her skills at various organisations including Ayton Young & Rubicam (AY&R), Kenya Airways, ScanGroup & AccessKenya (Internet Solutions/Dimension Data). Prior to joining HF Group, she served as the Group Manager, Marketing and Communications for ICEA LION Group across Kenya, Uganda & Tanzania.

Nkatha holds a BA in Political Science & Sociology (Hons) from the University of Nairobi and an MBA in Leadership & Sustainability from the University of Cumbria, U.K. She is a Certified Engagement & Productivity Coach (CEPC) from the International Coach Federation (ICF).

Catherine Olaka - Director – Human Resources & Administration

Catherine Olaka has extensive HR experience and has achieved success in designing & implementing scalable HR initiatives with a key focus on business transformation at executive level. She has a wealth of Sub-Saharan Africa work experience having served in various assignments in Tanzania, Rwanda, Chad, Gabon, Ghana, Nigeria, Congo Brazzaville, DRC, Madagascar and RSA, and industry experience within the ICT and Financial services.

Her career highlights include roles as the overall HR leader at Stanbic Bank Uganda, Tigo Tanzania, and Telkom Kenya.

Catherine holds a Bachelor of Arts degree (University of Nairobi), an MBA (Maastricht school of Management), Post-Graduate Diploma in HR and is a licensed Executive Coach and a member of AoEC (Association of Executive Coaches – UK) and ICF (International Coaching Federation).