LEADERSHIP

I&M Group Appoints ‘Familiar Face’ Robin Bairstow as Uganda CEO

BILL YAURAOct 24, 20231.2k

Mr Robin Bairstow takes over the CEO role following the exit of Kumaran Pather in December 2022. (Photo: Courtesy)

I&M Group Plc and the Board of Directors of I&M Bank (Uganda) Ltd have announced the appointment of Mr Robin Bairstow as the Chief Executive Officer effective August 2023 subject to Bank of Uganda approval.

With an extensive record in the financial services sector, Bairstow’s appointment underscores I&M Bank’s commitment to delivering excellence and growth across its regional operations. Mr Bairstow brings a wealth of experience to his new role and knows the Group well, having served as the CEO of I&M Bank (Rwanda) Plc from September 2015 to June 2023.

During his tenure, he achieved remarkable growth and success including the trebling of total assets to RWF 491.3 billion and growth in pre-tax profits to RWF 13.4 billion. Mr Bairstow also oversaw I&M Bank Rwanda’s listing on the Rwanda Stock Exchange in 2017.

Before joining I&M Group, Mr Bairstow held senior leadership positions at various financial institutions including Standard Chartered Bank, Citibank NA, BOE Bank, and Nedbank. His roles spanned across Central & East Africa and South-East Asia, highlighting his versatile expertise in navigating complex financial landscapes.

A graduate of the South African Merchant Naval Academy, Mr Bairstow holds a Diploma in Business Management from the Institute of Business Management and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Administration from the University of Leicester, among others. “His educational background combined with his extensive firsthand experience makes him a dynamic addition to the I&M Bank Uganda team,” said I&M Bank Group regional CEO Mr Kihara Maina.

Mr Bairstow takes over the CEO role following the exit of Kumaran Pather in December 2022. Sam Ntulume, who has been serving in acting capacity since December 2022, will now continue in his role as Executive Director and Chief Operations Officer.

Mr Maina, Regional CEO I&M Group Plc said, “Robin Bairstow is a very familiar face to the I&M Group. We are confident that he will steer the bank towards the realization of its strategic goal of becoming one of Uganda’s leading banks.”

Mr Suleiman Kiggundu, the Board Chairman of I&M Bank (Uganda) Limited said, “We are confident that he will build on his institutional knowledge and work with the I&M Bank team to push the organization to the next level.”