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Hilary Itela
BOARD CHAIR – TESPOK
In his LinkedIn bio, Hilary Itela describes himself as a true believer in Digital Transformation, and the important role Technology plays in the improvement of African businesses. From this statement alone, one can conclude two things: Hilary is passionate about technology, and is zealous about Africa. These ingredients, coupled with years of extensive experience navigating senior management roles around the continent, granted him the appointment as Chair of the Board of TESPOK, a pioneer non-profit organisation in Kenya that represents technology service providers, offering them a platform and links to the relevant regulatory authorities.
TESPOK’s members are made up of top notch local and global brands within various spaces in the ICT sector. Beginning with the telco space, they include Safaricom, Airtel, MTN, Liquid Technologies, Belgium Telecom (BICS), Swisscom and Jamii Telecom. Among social media, internet and entertainment providers, TESPOK members include, Wananchi Group, Multichoice, Google, Facebook, Netflix, Amazon Web Services (AWS), Akamai, Microsoft, Hurricane Electronic and American Towers Company. Finally, within the banking sector, the organisation lists Equity, National, KCB and Family Banks.
Itela’s sharp business acumen, empathetic nature, charismatic personality and strategic mindset have enabled the efficient and well-rounded running of TESPOK’s business since he ascended to the helm. From facilitating valuable partnerships, for instance the MoU signed with @iLabAfrica – Strathmore University Research and Innovation Centre, on the analysis of cyber security data into easily consumable information by different security players, institutions and the public; to developing ICT infrastructure throughout the country; to providing seminars and webinars on ICT capacity building; and even to championing national inclusivity as with the inaugural Autism Marathon held in 2022, TESPOK is far ahead in sustainability, and is well on its way to achieving its mission of being the leading choice in ICT development.
The Chairman often reiterates that it is TESPOK’s role to ensure a level playing field for all the players in the ICT space, to achieve clarity and be the adjudicator enabling a competitive environment. Under his informed and visionary leadership, this is precisely what TESPOK is about.
Like a prism, Hilary is multifaceted. Apart from his chairmanship, he is a hands-on board leader, always ready to get his hands dirty to assist and even represent top management in strategic engagement.
Itela serves as Director of Secure Logistics at G4S Kenya, a position he took up at the beginning of the year. The leading global integrated security company is not new to him, as he was General Manager of Secure Logistics and Courier Operations between 2010 and 2012.
Prior to his current position, Hilary was General Manager (GM) of AURA in Kenya, a South African-based security and medical response platform. He was appointed to lead AURA’s expansion into East Africa in 2021.
Over the years, Hilary has built invaluable skills and a wealth of experience in the e-commerce, logistics, security, pharmaceuticals, fast moving-consumer goods (FMCG) and renewable energy sectors. He has lent his capabilities and gained even more insight in firms within East and Central Africa such as, DHL Supply Chain as Operations Manager, Imperial Logistics in GM Operations, and Phoenix International and MultiChoice, both as Head of Operations.
After Lenana School, Hilary joined the University of Nairobi (UoN) where he obtained a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree. He then developed an interest in ICT, and obtained a Management of Information Systems (MIS) Diploma from Strathmore University. Itela then joined the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (CILT), where he obtained a post-graduate Diploma and became a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT), a rare and most sought-after global qualification.
Devoted to becoming the best in his field, Hilary later pursued a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Operations and Supply Chain Management from the University of Liverpool in the United Kingdom (UK), following it up with a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree in Global Business Management from the United States International University-Africa (USIU-Africa).
Ardent about the role education has played in his life, and in his desire to give back to society, Itela volunteers as Chair of the Board of Management at St Paul’s Amukura High School and Chair of the Board of Management at St Jude Onyunyur, both in Busia County, Kenya.
A former and celebrated Kenya National Rugby Team player with a magician’s touch, Hilary served as Director for the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU) from March 2018 to January 2023.
