The Standard Group CEO, Marion Gathoga-Mwangi, has announced that she will be stepping down from her role, barely a year after she took over the group's leadership on July 15, 2024.
Announcing her planned exit in the latest newsletter to the media house employees, she cited personal circumstances as the motivation for her exit and revealed that the transition process had already begun.
"To everything, however, there is a season, and a time for every purpose under the heavens. In this respect, therefore, personal circumstances that I cannot overlook have informed my decision on my future with the company," she wrote.
"Although I have not yet left, the transition has begun, and this may be the last newsletter I write to you. As I take this step, I ask for your prayers and well wishes."
In the newsletter, Gathoga-Mwangi expressed immense gratitude to both the leadership and other employees at Standard Group for granting her support during her tenure, especially over the last couple of months.
“As we continue our journey of transformation, I want to take a moment to express my deep gratitude for the encouragement and support you have extended to me during this pivotal time,” the newsletter read.
“Over the past two months, I have found myself at a significant crossroads, one that has reminded me of the power of community, the importance of staying anchored in our values, and the role each of us plays in shaping the future of Standard Group PLC.”
She further highlighted several achievements made during her tenure, including completing the company's strategic plan to move to a 'business unusual' mode for long-term sustainability and shepherding the rights issue, a defining step towards stabilising our business in these turbulent times.
Other highlights she outlined were reducing operational costs, introducing the Continuous Improvement (CI) matrix, and, most importantly, solidifying a leadership team, led by Chaacha Mwita, that will safeguard the group's mission with clarity and purpose.
Gathoga-Mwangi took over the CEO position in July, replacing Joe Munene, who had held the position in an interim capacity since July 6, 2023.
Before joining Standard Group, she had served in various executive roles at The Linde Group PLC companies, such as African Oxygen Pty (AFROX) and BOC Kenya PLC, with her most notable contributions including enhancing access to medical gases across Africa and managing bulk and onsite manufacturing operations in South Africa.
She has yet to announce her next career move after her brief tenure at the media house, which has been grappling with financial instability for years now.
