Alex Tito Mwangi is a seasoned finance professional with over two decades of experience in financial management and administration. Currently serving as the group finance and admin manager and director at HighChem Group,
He has been a key figure in the company since October 2012, overseeing financial operations and strategic planning from their offices in Nairobi's industrial area.
Before joining HighChem, he held the role of financial controller at Green Energy Limited, where he contributed to financial oversight for nearly two years. Mwangi's extensive career also includes roles as finance manager at Pentapharm Limited and accountant at both Trident Insurance Company and Consolidated Insurance Brokers. His comprehensive background in finance, spanning various sectors, underscores his capability and leadership in managing complex financial environments.
Alex had a discussion with CFO East Africa about the highs and lows of his career, his definition of success and life outside his finance role.
How did you end up as an accountant - did you have a different career in mind and how did you end up shifting?
My initial desired careers were in aviation if not law or media. Then there was the influence of my parents who believed accountancy had a better upward trajectory and opportunities as at the time. Actually, my dad believed aviation was too risky and media was short term.
People often referred to me as ATM, an abbreviation of my names which also fits well with my current career. I keep reminding people that mine is a deposit taking one!
What have been the highs and lows of your career?
My career highs are having twice been involved in the successful roll out of manufacturing site on a greenfield to revenue generation and continuous training of interns some of whom have secured jobs opportunities. My low is missing a deadline on a project financing resulting in a delayed turnkey.
How many people do you manage as CFO and what is your management style?
I am in-charge of eleven staff directly under finance and thirty in an expanded CFO role. I would describe my management style as laissez-faire.
How do you define success?
Success can be measured based on the positive impact one has on society and at work and being able to successfully transition from working life into retirement.
What advice would you have for your younger self and what would you do differently if you were to go back in time?
When I look back, I start by appreciating that what happened ought to have happened to shape the human I am today. My advice to my younger self is: ‘life has no early or late what you do with it has an instant and long-term impact on you’.
Is there any particular event that has happened that has shifted your perspective on life?
Early in my career, my dad offered me a chance to invest in real estate at a great price, but I chose to buy a sports car instead. That decision has since influenced how I approach my investment portfolio. Two years ago, I bought a replica of the car and turned its trunk into a seating bench as a constant reminder that non-commercial vehicles are liabilities, not assets. There's a saying: ‘Before you realize your father was right, you'll have a son who thinks you're wrong.’ My four-year-old son keeps telling me I'm wrong, confident that he'll have better opportunities as a Gen Alpha.
What do you do outside of work?
I engage in volunteer work, enjoy reading self-improvement materials, and love spending quality time with my family, especially on Friday night outings with my wife, who is also a finance professional.
Tell us about a book that you have found life-changing.
The book "Soft is the New Hard" by Leah Mether offers valuable insights on effective communication under pressure. This is particularly useful in my role as a CFO, where numbers don't always add up, but it's crucial to navigate and communicate effectively in those situations.
Tell us something surprising about you that we would never guess.
While many see me as outgoing and fun-loving, I actually enjoy quiet moments spent reading self-improvement materials.
