Polaris Bank Limited has announced the appointment of Mr. Segun Opeke as Executive Director of the bank.
The bank’s Board of Directors and the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria made the appointment on the heels of the recent appointment of Mr. Innocent Ike as the Acting Managing Director.
According to a statement, Opeke has over 26 years of hands-on experience from leading Nigerian commercial banks with over 15 of these years in senior and executive management roles.
Until his appointment, Opeke was the Head, Lagos Business Directorate.
“The Lagos Directorate under his leadership recorded outstanding growth and contributed significantly to the turnaround of the bank, evidenced by its impressive financial performance in the 2019 financial year.
“Since the Central Bank of Nigeria’s intervention in the erstwhile Skye Bank Plc in July 2016, Opeke has played a prominent role in the latter’s transformation initiatives and very instrumental in the several milestones achieved by the bank.
“By this appointment, he is expected to strengthen the bank’s leadership aspirations in the industry leveraging his wealth of experience and contributing greatly to its ongoing corporate transformation programme,” it stated.
The new ED had occupied strategic roles in various institutions, including FSB International Bank, Prudent Bank and Chartered Bank where he started his banking career.
Following the emergence of Skye Bank in 2006, he worked as the bank’s Treasurer and Regional Director for Victoria Island and Ikoyi. He was also the Group Head for Corporate Banking, Aviation and Maritime Group at various times, according to the statement.
“Opeke brought his leadership skills to bear as he successfully managed some large portfolios including the bank’s Lagos Corporate and Commercial Banking Division and the Corporate Planning and Strategy Group.
“As a member of the bank’s executive committee, he has remained a strong asset for the institution, making insightful contributions and bringing real value on board. By this appointment as Executive Director, Lagos Business, Opeke will further strengthen the management and board in actualising the bank’s leadership aspirations,” it added.
He holds a BSc. (Banking and Finance) and an MBA from the University of Lagos. He is an alumnus of the Columbia Business School, New York. He has attended several professional, management and leadership programmes in world-class institutions including INSEAD and Euromoney, London. He is credited with making immense contributions in change management, corporate finance/restructuring and digital transformation.
