CO-OP Bank MD Dr. Gideon Muriuki Named Best CEO in Africa

The Cooperative Bank Managing Director, Gideon Muriuki, has been named the best Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in the banking industry in Africa.

CO-OP Bank MD Dr. Gideon Muriuki Named Best CEO in Africa

In a statement released on Tuesday, 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 have been named Best Bank CEO in Africa at this year’s African Banking Awards organized 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 recognized 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 recognized 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 them in the banking industry in Africa.

"The awards also recognized the successful acquisition and stabilization of Jamii Bora Bank (renamed Kingdom Bank) as it offered much-needed stability to the local financial sector," read the statement.