The Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) on Tuesday appointed Mr Albert Essien as the new Chief Executive Officer of the company.
This is contained in a statement issued by Nabi Ouedraogo, Head ETI communications unit, and made available to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN).
According to the statement Essien will take over the former Group CEO, Mr Thierry Tanoh, with effect from March 12, 2014 It said that Essien before his appointment was the bank’s Deputy CEO/ Group
Executive Director for Corporate and Investment Bank “Mr Albert Essien has been at Ecobank for more than 20 years rising to the position of Deputy Group CEO two years ago.
“Prior to becoming Deputy CEO Mr Essien was the Regional Head for the Anglophone West Africa (excluding Nigeria) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regions.
“He started his banking career in 1986 with the National Investment Bank in Accra, Ghana and joined the Corporate Banking Department of Ecobank Ghana in 1990,” it said.
According to the statement, Essien in 1997 became Country Risk Manager and was appointed Deputy Managing Director in 2001.
It added that he became Managing Director in December 2002.
“Albert Essien has a degree in Economics from the University of Ghana and is an alumnus of the Executive Development Program of INSEAD (France/Singapore).
“He is also an honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana,” it added.
Tanoh, the out-going boss joined the Ecobank Group as CEO designate in July 2012 and commenced his executive role in October 2012 prior to being appointed Group CEO in January 2013.
Commenting on the announcement, ETI Interim Chairman, André Siaka, commended the effort of Tanoh while serving the company.
He said: “We wish to thank Thierry Tanoh for his service to Ecobank and we wish him every success in the future.
“We believe that Essien has the experience and knowledge that Ecobank needs to take us forward as we continue to implement our strategy which is to deliver outstanding customer service, to improve
long-term shareholder value and returns and to be the employer of choice in our markets.”
Responding, Essien promised to continue in the good steps of his predecessor and called for support of all stakeholders.
“I have been working for Ecobank for more than 20 years and I am proud of what we have achieved so far.
“I am committed to achieving our vision of building a world class pan-African bank which contributes to the economic development and financial integration of Africa,’’ he said.
The new CEO also promised to uphold the bank’s “mission of providing our retail and wholesale customers with convenient, accessible and reliable financial products and services.” (NAN)
