The Co-operative Bank Managing Director, Gideon Muriuki, has been named the best Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the banking industry in Africa.
In a statement released on Tuesday, October 26, the bank confirmed that EMEA Finance, the organizers of the African Banking Awards, had named Muriuki as the 2021 Banking CEO of the Year.
Muriuki was recognized for leading the bank to great heights, with the bank recording commendable profits in recent years.
"The Group Managing Director and CEO Dr Gideon Muriuki has been named Best Bank CEO in Africa at this year’s African Banking Awards organised by EMEA Finance," read the statement.
The group CEO was also recognized for his leadership during the global pandemic, with the award organizers stating that many of the bank’s clients and the staff benefited from his remarkable leadership during the difficult financial period.
"Muriuki was recognised for the bold decision to sustain the payment of dividends to shareholders despite Covid-19, which offered a critical relief and most timely support to the over 15 million-member Cooperative movement,"
"In addition, the award recognised the decision by the Group CEO not to push for staff retrenchment and opting to retain full staff complement during the pandemic," read the statement in part.
Under the leadership of Muriuki, CO-OP bank has seen great expansion, with the bank acquiring additional banks, further making a name for themselves in the banking industry in Africa.
"The awards also recognised the successful acquisition and stabilisation of Jamii Bora Bank (renamed Kingdom Bank) as it offered much-needed stability to the local financial sector," read the statement.
Additionally, CO-OP Bank was awarded as the best bank in Kenya with the group’s subsidiary group, CO-OP Trust Investment Services Limited, receiving the Best Asset manager award.
On their part, CO-OP Bank welcomed the recognition stating that had achieved great milestones in the banking industry this year.
"This has been a winning season for the Co-operative Bank of Kenya, with a number of accolades recorded in the period," the bank stated.
The EMEA award is organized to recognise leaders in the corporate and financial institutions in Africa such as the banking sector.
