Access Bank appoints Uche Orji as Independent Non-Executive Director

Access Bank Plc Bolsters Its Board with Distinguished Appointment

Access Holdings Plc, a leading financial services provider, has taken a significant step in enhancing its corporate governance and decision-making capabilities with the appointment of Mr. Uche Orji as an Independent Non-Executive Director to its subsidiary, Access Bank Plc. The appointment was approved by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and took effect on January 7, 2024.

Access Bank Plc highlighted that the appointment of Mr. Orji underscores its unwavering commitment to fostering a robust and experienced board that ensures diversity and promotes good governance practices.

Mr. Orji brings over three decades of professional and board experience to Access Bank Plc, with an impressive background in finance and technology. Notably, he is the Co-founder and Partner of Titangate Capital Management, a leading equity firm that focuses on investing in innovative deep-tech, enterprise software, semiconductors, hardware, and artificial intelligence companies.

He has also founded and directs Vitesse Africa Limited, an investment advisory firm specializing in Africa’s energy, technology, and infrastructure sectors. Additionally, Orji serves as an Executive Board member and investor in Ultrasafe AI, a renowned artificial intelligence and IT development firm. In another notable role, he chairs the Risk Committee of the Private Infrastructure Development Group in London.

Mr. Orji’s illustrious career in finance also includes holding leadership positions at esteemed global financial institutions, including Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority (NSIA). He was also Managing Director and Senior Analyst at UBS Securities Limited in New York, Managing Director and Head of European Technology/Semiconductor Equity Research at JP Morgan Securities in London, and Executive Director/Portfolio Manager at Goldman Sachs Asset Management in London.

Prior to joining these prestigious institutions, Orji worked as an Acting Financial Controller at Diamond Bank Limited and an Audit Trainee at Arthur Andersen and Co. He holds a Bachelor of Engineering degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of Port Harcourt and a Master of Business Administration from Harvard Business School.

Commenting on the appointment, Mr. Paul Usoro, Chairman of Access Bank Plc, welcomed Mr. Orji to the board, describing him as a highly accomplished professional with exceptional academic, corporate, and board experience. “We are confident that his expertise will be invaluable to the bank as we pursue our strategic objectives,” Usoro emphasized. “His addition to the Board will further enrich the quality of our decision-making process, enabling us to deliver greater value to our customers and stakeholders.”

Access Bank Plc stated that the appointment of Mr. Orji was made in accordance with the bank’s internal policies, which have been communicated to all relevant regulatory authorities. The bank reaffirmed its commitment to upholding the highest standards of corporate governance and upholding its responsibility to its customers and stakeholders.