United Bank of Africa (UBA) Kenya has announced the appointment of Mary Mulili as its new Managing Director and CEO, effective January 19.
This decision makes Mulili the first female top executive at the financial institution, coinciding with UBA’s 15th anniversary in Kenya.
The appointment, though pending regulatory approval, underscores the UBA Group’s commitment to fostering gender diversity and inclusivity within its leadership.
Mary Mulili who previously served as an executive director within the organization will bring a wealth of experience to her new CEO role.
Mulili takes over from Chike Isiuwe, who had been at the helm since August 2021. Isiuwe will now assume a different role within the UBA Group.
Expressing her gratitude and enthusiasm, Ms. Mulili stated, “It is a great honor to be appointed to steer the strategic vision of UBA Kenya as a subsidiary of the UBA Group. I look forward to carrying on the growth trajectory of UBA Kenya.”
This marks the sixth change in leadership for UBA Kenya in the past 11 years, including interim appointments.
Previous CEOs include Kehinde Omirinde (interim), Emeke Iweriebor (interim), Isaac Mwige, and Tunji Adeniyi.
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Alphan Njeru, the UBA Kenya Chairperson, highlighted the significance of Ms. Mulili’s appointment, emphasizing the pivotal role she would play during a period when the bank aims to accelerate growth through regional trade opportunities, digital innovation, and the financing of small and medium-sized enterprises.
Njeru thanked the outgoing CEO, Chike Isiuwe, for his contributions to the bank and wished him success in his new role within the UBA Group.
Mary Mulili Education and Professional Journey
Mary Mulili holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Finance, a bachelor’s degree in education with a focus on Accounting and Economics, and a diploma in Business Management.
She previously worked at the Bank of Africa, where she managed the Kenya Business Unit strategies for business growth in the Corporate, Commercial Banking, SME/Retail and Transactional Banking.
At KCB, she served as the Senior Corporate Relationship Manager.
In addition, Mary Mulili was also the Head of Corporate Banking & Commercial Banking at GT Bank and African Banking Cooperation in Kenya.
In this role, she oversaw new business-oriented initiatives and introduced SACCO partnerships with SACCOS into the country’s payment system.
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Community Engagement
Apart from her banking roles, Ms. Mulili is the founding member of the Rotary club of Lavington, Board member Twana Twitu an NGO dealing with HIV orphans, Mentor at WECREAT which is an entrepreneurial community center for women startups and existing businesses.
She is also a Commissioner of the Kenya Meat Commission, serving as the chair of the audit committee.
Furthermore, she served as a board member of the Kenya Association of Women Business Owners and holds the position of vice-chair at the International Chamber of Commerce Kenya’s Banking Commission.
