Centum Investment Company Plc has appointed former Equity Group executive Mary Wangari Wamae as an Independent Non-Executive Director.
In a notice on July 31, the Nairobi Securities Exchange-listed investment company said Wamae’s appointment takes effect immediately and is expected to strengthen the Board’s governance and strategic oversight.
“The Board of Directors of Centum Investment Company Plc. (the “Company”) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Mary Wangari Wamae as an Independent Non-Executive Director, to fill a casual vacancy in the Company,” read part of the notice.
Profile of Mary Wamae
Mary Wamae is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a Certified Public Secretary (Kenya) with more than 35 years of experience in law, corporate governance, strategy and leadership across the financial services sector.
She joined Equity Group in 2004 and served the lender for two decades before retiring in June 2024. During her tenure, she held several senior leadership positions, including Director of Strategy, Company Secretary and, most recently, Group Executive Director responsible for Subsidiary Oversight.
In that role, she provided strategic oversight across Equity Group’s regional banking subsidiaries in Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, South Sudan, Tanzania and the Democratic Republic of Congo, as well as the Group’s non-banking subsidiaries.
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Beyond her banking career, Wamae is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of TVG Consulting and Leadership Group Limited. She also serves on the Board of the Strathmore University Foundation.
Her academic qualifications include a Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master’s degree in Leadership, Innovation and Change from York St John University in the United Kingdom. She has also completed executive leadership programmes at Harvard Business School and IESE Business School.
Centum said the Board looks forward to benefiting from Wamae’s extensive expertise as the company continues to pursue its long-term growth strategy and strengthen its governance framework.
“The Board warmly welcomes Mrs. Wamae and looks forward to the significant value she will bring to the Group’s governance and long-term strategic direction,” stated Centum.
Wamae’s Two-Decade Career at Equity Group
Mary Wamae joined Equity Group in 2004 as Head of Legal and rose through the ranks over a 20-year career to become one of the institution’s most senior executives.
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According to Equity Group’s announcement issued upon her retirement in June 2024, Wamae served as Company Secretary, Head of Investor Relations and Director of Strategy before being appointed Group Executive Director in 2017.
Wamae became the first person to hold the position, overseeing Equity Group’s subsidiaries while serving on the boards of Equity Group Holdings Plc and its regional subsidiaries.
Her leadership also earned her several accolades, including the 2021 Angaza Award: Women to Watch in Banking & Finance, the 2021 Women on Board Award by the Women on Boards Network, and recognition as the 2023 Private Sector Lawyer of the Year at the Nairobi Legal Awards.
When announcing her retirement, Equity Group Chairman Prof. Isaac Macharia paid tribute to her contribution to the institution over two decades.
“On behalf of the Board of Directors, Management, Staff and all Stakeholders of Equity Group Holding Plc, I take this opportunity to thank Mary for her steadfast dedication, advice and commitment to Equity Group and wish her all the best in the next phase of her life and career,” said Macharia.
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