I&M Bank Rwanda Plc has recently made significant executive appointments, with Mr. Benjamin Mutimura set to assume the role of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) from July 1st, 2023. This press release highlights the transition and acknowledges the contributions of the outgoing CEO, Mr. Robin Bairstow. The appointment of Mr. Mutimura reflects the bank’s commitment to driving growth and delivering innovative financial solutions to its customers.
Mr. Benjamin Mutimura brings over 16 years of experience in the financial services sector to his new role as CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda. Having previously served as the Chief Commercial Officer at Bank of Kigali, his expertise and proven track record position him well to lead the bank’s ongoing growth strategy. Throughout his career, Mr. Mutimura has held various leadership positions, showcasing his capabilities in development finance, credit management, retail banking, and corporate and institutional banking.
With a Master’s Degree in Development Economics from Louvain la Neuve & Namur University in Belgium and a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from the former National University of Rwanda, Mr. Mutimura brings a strong educational foundation to his leadership role. Additionally, he has participated in leadership programs at renowned institutions such as Strathmore University and Harvard Business School. His certification as a credit professional further enhances his ability to navigate the financial landscape effectively.
The Board of Directors expressed their gratitude to Mr. Robin Bairstow for his exemplary service and leadership during his tenure as CEO of I&M Bank Rwanda. Over the past seven years, Mr. Bairstow played a pivotal role in driving the bank’s growth, including taking it public in 2017 and overseeing the implementation of the new Finacle Core Banking System. He championed digitization initiatives, such as digital onboarding and loans applications, which improved access to finance through a blockchain-powered mobile money application. Under his guidance, the bank received numerous industry awards for governance, product innovation, diversity, and inclusion. Mr. Bairstow’s transition to a new assignment within the I&M Group will be announced in the coming weeks, pending regulatory approval.
Mr. Bonaventure Niyibizi, Board Chairman of I&M Rwanda Plc, expressed his confidence in the incoming CEO, Mr. Benjamin Mutimura. The board believes that Mr. Mutimura’s business experience, combined with his passion for organizational leadership, will enable him to unlock the full potential of I&M Bank Rwanda. The aim is to provide best-in-class financial solutions and a customer-centric approach, aligning with the bank’s ongoing growth strategy known as Imara 3.0. The transition of leadership is anticipated to facilitate the execution of ambitious plans for the bank’s next growth cycle.
Mr. Kihara Maina, Regional CEO of I&M Group Plc, welcomed the appointment of Mr. Mutimura and commended Mr. Bairstow for his dedicated service and leadership. Mr. Maina expressed his confidence in Mr. Mutimura’s ability to drive growth and development at I&M Bank Rwanda. Furthermore, he highlighted the opportunity to leverage Mr. Bairstow’s extensive experience elsewhere within the I&M Group.
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