Standard Chartered names new CEO as Kasekende moves to Zambia

L-R: Herman Kasekende, outgoing chief executive Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, Chairman, Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Robin Kibuka, and Albert Saltson, the bank’s new chief executive. Photo: Courtesy

Standard Chartered Bank has a new chief executive officer, who is replacing Herman Kasekende, who is moving to the bank’s subsidiary in Zambia. Albert Saltson – Mr Kasekende’s successor – has been the chief executive of Standard Chartered in Gambia.

Below is the statement from Standard Chartered announcing the changes.

The Chairman, Board of Directors of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda Dr Robin Kibuka, has today announced that Mr Herman Kasekende, currently Chief Executive Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, has been appointed as Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia. Albert Saltson is the new Chief Executive Officer for Uganda.

“For the past 4 years, Herman has been instrumental in building a resilient and sustainable business in Uganda,” said Dr Kibuka. “He has provided strong leadership most notable in 2016 with a recovery in profits that should be sustained by the realignment of the Bank’s retail and commercial structures to a more client-centric model in line with the Bank’s international strategy.”

During his term in office, the business in Uganda has remained stable despite a challenging macro – economic environment. He has been able to turn the business back onto a growth trajectory by reducing the portfolio of non-performing loans, exploring new revenue opportunities, maximising efficiencies while maintaining a balance sheet that is highly liquid and well capitalised.

Together with the management team, Herman has worked to ‘put customers first’ by streamlining processes and improving systems. Within Standard Chartered’s commitment to invest in digital technology, Herman has led the launch of the Bank’s mobile application, refreshed online banking platform, S2BX, Straight2Bank mobile wallet, replacement of over 20 ATMs and the opening of ultra-modern branches built in line with Global branch merchandising guidelines.

As a leader, Herman has made a tangible contribution in developing local talent and growing the Bank’s leadership in Uganda. Currently Standard Chartered has over 15 Ugandans working within the Bank’s regional and international network, while in Uganda, the Bank has achieved a gender ratio (Women: Men) of 53:47 with women in leadership positions at 43%.

Since Herman joined Standard Chartered Bank in 1998, he has held several senior roles across commercial and retail segments, including SME Banking, distribution channels and delivery as well as completing a successful assignment in the Bank’s Singapore operations. As CEO Uganda, Herman has been a strategic member of the Bank’s East African executive committee.

From an industry perspective, Herman has chaired the Oil and Gas Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Presidential Investors’ Round Table (PIRT) in addition to his current roles as Chairman of Uganda’s Varkey Foundation Advisory Board, Advisor to Uganda’s Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Board and Chairman of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services. Given his responsibilities over the years, Herman brings invaluable regional and international banking and leadership experience to his new role as CEO Zambia, and looks forward to making a positive contribution to the Bank’s operations in Southern Africa.

Albert Saltson joins Standard Chartered Bank Uganda from Gambia where he has been CEO for Standard Chartered Bank Gambia 1st June 2015. Prior to becoming Chief Executive Officer in The Gambia, Albert served as Chief Executive Officer for Standard Chartered Bank Sierra Leone. Albert has been instrumental in driving overall performance of the Bank in line with business strategy and governance, and has led the Business in The Gambia to achieve outstanding financial performance in the past year. While in Sierra Leone, he demonstrated exceptional leadership and courage during the recent Ebola outbreak by taking an active role in the formation of the national emergency private sector force on Ebola.

Albert joined Standard Chartered Bank over 25 years ago and has since held various senior positions in different functions. Prior to his appointment as CEO, he was on different occasions the Head of Consumer Banking Standard Chartered Bank Zambia and Ghana spanning a period of over eight years. Albert holds a BA (Hons), Diploma in Management, MBA and Certificates in General Management from Oxford University and INSEAD.

Albert brings a wealth of skills and knowledge in Credit Risk, Valuation, Business Analysis, Operations Management, Program Management, Contract Negotiations, Operations Risk Management, Investment Banking, Retail Management and Trade Finance among others.

“As the Board and management of Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, we once again wish to congratulate Albert and Herman on their new appointments and wish them success”, said the Board Chairman, Dr Robin Kibuka.