As part of corporate realignment and repositioning for the next growth phase, the Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank Plc has announced the appointment of three new Executive Directors. The Board which met in Lagos recently, approved the appointment of Gbolahan Joshua as Executive Director/Chief Operations and Information Officer; Obaro Odeghe, Executive Director, Corporate Bank and Hassan Imman, Executive Director, Northern Directorate, subject to the approval of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Gbolahan will have executive responsibilities for Operations, Technology, Digital Banking, Investor Relations, Strategy and Business Transformation. Obaro Odeghe on his part will oversee all the bank’s corporate banking business covering Energy, Power, Manufacturing, Telecoms, Fast Moving Consumer Goods, Construction and Real Estate. Hassan will supervise all Commercial, SME, Consumer and Public Sector businesses of Fidelity Bank in the North Directorate, comprising 18 states and Abuja.

The elevation of the three erstwhile General Managers to Executive Director positions, is consistent with the bank’s new succession strategy of grooming leaders from within. “Over the years, we have worked assiduously at proactively preparing our people and growing the talent and leadership pool in the bank, so that when opportunities arise, we do not always have to look outside. I am most delighted that our 3 new EDs were all appointed from within,” said Fidelity Bank CEO, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo.

The strong and cohesive Board of Directors of Fidelity Bank led by Mr. Ernest Ebi, former Deputy Governor, CBN as Chairman, has 3 female Executive Directors; the largest on any bank Board and is comprised of seasoned businessmen/technocrats as members. “We welcome Gbolahan, Obaro and Hassan to the Board. Collectively they have with them, varied and deep industry knowledge and relevant experiences that will not only deepen but engender even more robust discussions and engagements at Board level. Please join me in congratulating them” said Chairman, Fidelity Bank, Mr. Ebi.

Gbolahan attended Kings College Lagos and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting. He is a Chartered Accountant and has attended several executive and banking specific programs in leading educational and professional institutions including Harvard, IMD, and Euromoney. He has 20 years of comprehensive experience across various areas of Assurance and Banking including, Operations, Technology, Digital Banking, Strategy, Business Transformation, Finance, Treasury, Mergers and Acquisitions

Obaro attended Edo College Benin and holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Agriculture and an MBA. He has gained exposures from top global educational and professional institutions including Harvard, Wharton and Kelloggs. He has 24 years of banking experience across various areas of Banking including; Corporate Banking, Commercial Banking, SMEs, Consumer Banking, Institutional Banking, Trade Finance and Operations.

Hassan on his part, holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics, has two Masters’ Degrees and an MBA. He has attended programs in Harvard, Stanford, Wharton and other leading international educational and professional institutions. He has 25 years of comprehensive experience across various areas of Banking including; Commercial Banking, Consumer Banking, SMEs, Institutional Banking, Trade Finance, Operations, Treasury and Risk Management.