Interviews

Shushant Mallik, the CFO of DP World in Rwanda, brings an unconventional approach to the role, having taken on responsibility for projects and operations prior to leading a finance function.

The transition from the private sector to the public sector is often seen as challenging, but Patrick Chonde, the acting general manager of finance at Kenya Airports Authority, believes that the gap between the sectors is narrowing. However, he does acknowledge that some differences do still exist.

It took one newspaper ad to set Stephen Karumbi, the CFO of Family Bank, on his remarkable journey from dedicated accounting student in high school to respected financial executive.

Coming from a poor rural background to becoming a regional finance director of a listed entity is no easy feat. However, this is exactly what British American Tobacco's Philemon Kipkemoi has done - and now he wants to pay it forward.

Purity Mumbe Sammy, CFO at East Africa Reinsurance, initially planned to retire from corporate life at the age of 35 and teach kindergarten. Now, at the designate age, she admits she is not quite ready to realise that dream.

From dropping out of university to take on an internship to inspiring the formation of a debt collection unit to chief accountant, George Odenyo, CFO of American Tower (ATC Kenya), has definitely not followed a stereotypical career path.

David Muriithi, director of finance at Serengeti Breweries, sees accounting as a life skill - and one that has provided a solid foundation for him to make his mark in finance in over 10 countries and across two continents.

Considering the perspective of others is a personal principle by which Lawrence Kimathi, financial director of KCB Group, lives - and this code of ethics has served him well.

As CFO of a law firm comprising more than 75 lawyers, "security dad" Andrew Murimi's philosophy is to treat others as he himself would love to be treated. In his view, empathy is what distinguishes managers from leaders.

Kinya Kimotho, Diageo's finance and strategy director for partner emerging markets in Africa, subscribes to the Japanese concept of Ikigai, which describes having a sense of purpose in life, seeking that motivating force that gets you out of bed every morning.

Despite not initially setting down the finance career path, Andrew Makumbi, CFO of Jubilee Allianz Insurance Uganda, reveals that he was mesmerised and challenged by his first insurance audit.

Sophia Mukoba-Kioko, FD at Unilever East Africa, recently left Kenya to take on a new role in London, UK, as the Unilever global audit finance lead. Although she has travelled extensively, this will be her first assignment outside the country.

Kennedy Muriungi, the CFO of Camusat's Uganda operations, shares one of his weird and interesting reads that challenges conventional thinking, how people interpret situations, and helps with both personal and business success.

CFO East Africa recently caught up with Wasoko global CFO Sundararaman Pattabiraman to understand his views on Kenya and the finance fraternity.

At the age of only 39, Hermann Malan boasts an impressive career as a CFO, having traversed various regions of Africa. His journey began in West Africa, extended to South Africa, and eventually led him to East Africa.

Dennis Musau, chief financial and value officer of Stanbic Bank Kenya and South Sudan, recently engaged in a conversation with CFO East Africa, discussing his career journey, lessons learnt, and what keeps him awake at night.

It is quite a tough job being the CFO of an African airline. The industry faces many challenges from inadequate infrastructure to inconsistent demand. Despite this, CFO of Kenya Airways Hellen Mathuka, loves her job.

Moses Aman, CFO at Lafarge Hima Cement, wanted to be a pilot while in high school, but instead found his career lift-off after enrolling for a major in Accounting at university.

Risper Genga Ohaga, the CFO of East Africa Breweries Limited (EABL), considers success a multifaceted concept, spanning courage, sacrifice and self-awareness.

CFO East Africa caught up with Michael Nzule, financial and strategy director for Mitchell Cotts Freight Kenya Limited, to better understand the finance leader's approach to strategy and crises - and also convinced him to impart critical insight on that elusive X Factor and his leadership life lessons.