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BARACK OBATSA
CEO & PRINCIPAL OFFICER BRITAM ASSET MANAGERS – KENYA
Investment management is ultimately about making decisions with a long view. Markets move through cycles, investor expectations change and economic conditions can shift quickly, but the responsibility of an investment manager remains constant: to allocate capital with discipline, understand risk and create value for clients over time. It is within this demanding environment that Barack Obatsa, CEO and Principal Officer of Britam Asset Managers (Kenya), has built a career spanning more than 20 years in the investment industry.
Obatsa took leadership of Britam Asset Managers in 2023. At ICEA LION Asset Management, Obatsa spent seven years and served as Chief Investment Officer. Earlier, he spent 11 years at Africa Alliance Bank, progressing from an analyst role to Regional Chief Investment Officer. The progression reflects a career developed progressively through investment analysis, portfolio management and senior investment leadership.
Obatsa’s professional preparation has been equally broad. Obatsa holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Financial Services from the University of Manchester Institute of Science & Technology, an MSc in Finance (Economic Policy) from the University of London and another MSc in Real Estate products that respond to different stages of an investor’s financial journey. Obatsa’s career provides experience across these dimensions. His background in banking and investment management has exposed him to different aspects of capital markets, while his qualifications in finance and real estate provide a foundation for evaluating opportunities across asset classes.
At Britam, Obatsa’s investment experience supports the expansion of the asset-management business into alternative investment areas, including, special fund products, private equity, energy, infrastructure and real estate. His leadership at Britam Asset Managers therefore reflects a broader evolution in the role of the investment-management CEO. The job is not simply about selecting investments. It involves building an institution capable of understanding markets, serving clients, developing investment solutions and maintaining discipline through changing economic conditions.
The launch of new investment The launch of new investment propositions such as KidNest points to another aspect of that responsibility: expanding participation in formal investment markets. By lowering the entry point for investment and introducing children and families to long-term wealth creation, asset managers can potentially broaden the investor base while strengthening financial literacy. propositions such as KidNest points to another aspect of that responsibility: expanding participation in formal investment markets.
For Barack Obatsa, the journey from investment analyst to Chief Investment Officer and ultimately CEO represents a progression built around increasing responsibility for capital, strategy and institutional performance.
At Britam Asset Managers, that experience is now being applied to a business operating at the intersection of investment management, financial planning and wealth creation. His contribution is consequently measured not only through the performance of an asset-management business, but also through its ability to develop relevant investment solutions and deepen participation in Kenya’s investment ecosystem. As the financial services industry continues to evolve, the investment leaders who combine technical expertise with strategic perspective will remain central to how institutions respond to changing markets and changing investor expectations. Obatsa’s career places him firmly within that evolving landscape, bringing together investment experience, multidisciplinary qualifications and executive leadership at one of Kenya’s established financial-services groups.
