The Board of Britam Holdings Plc has appointed Mr. Barack Obatsa as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Britam Asset Managers (BAM) (K), effective 29th May 2023.
Barack has over 18 years of experience in the investment industry and has served in various capacities including as Chief Investment Officer, ICEA LION Asset Management Limited, where he worked for 7 years. Prior to joining ICEA LION, Barack worked at Africa Alliance Bank Limited for 11 years, rising from Analyst to Regional Chief Investment Officer.
He has diverse and extensive investment management experience in various asset classes, ranging from traditional financial investments such as equities, and fixed income to alternatives like private equity, infrastructure, and real estate classes. Additionally, his experience includes exposure to the management of offshore funds.
Barack holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Financial Services from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, a Master of Science in Finance (Economic Policy) from the University of London, and a Master of Science in Real Estate (Investment and Finance) from the University of Reading.
His professional designations include Chartered Banker, Certified Internal Auditor (CIA), and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). He is a member of the Institute of Certified Investments & Financial Analysts – Kenya, the Institute of Internal Auditors – Kenya, the CFA Institute, and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). Additionally, he is a Certified Engagement and Productivity Coach (CEPC), having successfully completed a globally accredited coaching program with CDI – Africa Coaching.
Barack completed a leadership development program from the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University of Pretoria, and has attended other training programs across the world and received certifications in leadership, financial modeling, equity valuation, investment strategy, portfolio management, infrastructure financing as well as public-private partnerships.
Commenting on the appointment, Britam Board Chairman Kuria Muchiru expressed the Board’s confidence in Barack’s skills, knowledge, and vast experience.
“We are excited to have Barack join the team and are confident that he will drive our new customer-centric transformational strategy to achieve revenue growth and strong financial performance for Britam Asset Managers,” said Mr. Muchiru.
Britam Group MD and CEO, Tom Gitogo, was buoyant about Barack’s appointment noting, “I am delighted to have Barack on board, and we look forward to scaling the Britam Asset Managers business, competitive returns for our investors and exploring new opportunities in Kenya and the region.”
Britam is in the third year of its five-year transformational strategy to ground and center the organization around the customer. The strategy hinges on four critical initiatives including, organizing the business around the customer; leveraging technology; turning around key cost drivers, and optimizing the profile and returns of its investments.
