Ecobank Transnational Incorporated has announced the appointment of Alain Nkontchou as its new Chairman, Board of Directors.
The Cameroonian has been serving as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the pan-African banking group since 2015.
A statement made available to the Nigerian Stock Exchange confirmed that his latest appointment took effect on June 30, 2020.
Nkontchou is taking over from Nigeria’s Emmanuel Ikazoboh, whose six-year tenure as Chairman of Ecobank’s holding company ended last month, as he just reached the retirement age of 70.
The company also noted that the new appointment was in tandem with its Articles of Association.
Reacting to the appointment, Nkontchou said he was quite honoured and looking forward to working with the rest of the board members.
“I am honoured to be appointed as Chairman of ETI. Having served on its board since 2015, I have seen Ecobank’s resilience and its proud history, built on strong foundation to secure its future success.
“I look forward to working with the board and executive team as we continue our journey ahead, and I know that we are well-placed to navigate through the current environment and set the standards in financial services for our customers across Africa,” he said.
He thanked Ikazoboh for his leadership of the board and wished him the best for the future.
Nkontchou co-founded Enko Capital Management LLP, a London-based asset management company with Johannesburg office. He currently serves as the Managing Partner of the firm which specialises in prospecting investment opportunities in Africa.
He was a Non-Executive Director at Laurent Perrier Champagne between 1999 and 2009. He was also the Managing Director of Credit Suisse’s Global Macro Trading from 1995 to 2008. He held a similar role at JP Morgan Chase & Co.
Meanwhile, from 1989 to 1994, Nkontchou worked with Chemical Bank first in Paris and then New York. At the bank, he rose through the ranks to become the Vice President, Head of Trading and Sales. Apparently, he is an accomplished business executive.
Nkontchou obtained an MSc in Electrical Engineering from Supélec and P.M. Curie University, Paris, and another MSc in Finance and Accounting from ESCP (Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Paris).
