#11
PHYLLIS GACHAU
HEAD STRATEGY, CORPORATE COMMUNICATIONS, INVESTOR RELATIONS, TRANSCENTURY GROUP
A respected corporate leader and a powerhouse in strategy and communication, Phyllis Gachau is a master of brand storytelling and strategic leadership. Her practice transcends the region’s diverse sectors of advertising, fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), manufacturing, and investment in a span of over two decades.
Phyllis began her career in the FMCG sector at Coca-Cola Kenya as a Marketing Executive, where she immediately cut her teeth in the marketing field.
Over the last 23 years, Phyllis has been on an exciting career journey that has seen her grow into the corporate honcho she is today. She currently serves as Head of Strategy and Corporate Affairs at TransCentury, driving strategy and corporate communication for the Group and its portfolio businesses across East and Central Africa.
Phyllis believes every brand has a story to tell, and, if curated right, the story should effectively communicate to the intended target audience. Her art of brand communication was honed while working in advertising. She remembers with nostalgia working on powerful brand campaigns, ranging from the iconic Magical Kenya in the early 2000s, selling Kenya as the once-in-a-lifetime tourist destination, to successfully selling the then National Hospital Insurance Fund (NHIF) premise by producing one of the longest-running radio programs, “Bima ya Afya,” on KBC radio, among many others.
The story of demystifying brand offerings and turning mundane commodities into household names remains a key marker in her illustrious career. When Phyllis joined East African Cables in 2011 as Marketing Manager, she knew immediately her work was cut out for her, and her brief was clear: turn a commodity into a brand. The journey of transforming an electrical cable into a brand has been one of the most rewarding journeys for her. It called for driving strategic brand campaigns such as the iconic “Wire si Wire” campaign that distinguished East African Cables from the rest, not only driving brand recognition – it remains the most recognised cable brand in the region – but also driving revenue.
Beyond brand communication, Phyllis recognises the power of collaboration in brand building and revenue diversification. At East African Cables, she developed key partnerships with channel partners, including technicians, distributors, and consultants, putting in place an effective route-to-market structure that continues to drive the business.
Having demonstrated her exceptional leadership skills and ability to drive effective brand strategies, Phyllis moved to the TransCentury Group office with a mandate to drive Corporate Affairs. Later, strategy and advocacy were added to her cap. Driving favorable policy for business is an area Phyllis has passionately pursued, believing no business can thrive in a market if it does not have a seat at the policy shaping table.
As Head of Strategy, Corporate Communication and Investor Relations, Phyllis supports six businesses spread across East and Central Africa to develop robust business strategies informed by their unique business models and market needs. Driving strategy in multiple countries with unique macro environments and business models is no mean feat. Nevertheless, being one who does not shy away from a challenge, she took the role in stride. In the inaugural year, Phyllis drove the rollout of refreshed strategies in all businesses in a record period of three months. To succeed in this role, she has developed an in-depth understanding of each business’s operations, allowing her to provide guidance and leadership while working closely with boards and management teams. Phyllis is proud of the achievements she, together with the team at TransCentury, has made by remaining focused on strategy despite the headwinds that the business has faced.
In 2023, Phyllis led the TransCentury team in successfully closing an equity fundraising transaction for TransCentury PLC, raising USD 8 million. The transaction occurred within a challenging economic environment in Kenya and worldwide, necessitating strategic engagement, structuring, and close collaboration with all key transaction advisors to ensure success. The close of this transaction was a significant achievement, confirming her multifaceted skills and ability to collaborate with diverse partners and expertise to deliver results.
In January 2024, Phyllis was appointed to the Board of TransFormco Zambia, an electrical transformer manufacturing company in Ndola, Zambia, a subsidiary of TransCentury. Additionally, leveraging her active involvement with the Kenya Association of Manufacturers (KAM), Phyllis currently serves as Chairperson of the Energy, Electrical, and Electronics subsector. This sector encompasses over 100 industries, spanning electricals, power generation, petroleum, oil & gas, and electronics. Under her leadership, the sector has achieved notable milestones, including the enactment of local content legislation in 2013 and the establishment of a multi-agency to address illicit and counterfeit trade in 2017, among others.
On a voluntary basis, she chairs the Board of Little Rock ECD Center in Kibera, an Inclusive Early Childhood Development Centre that provides essential growth and learning opportunities to disadvantaged and special needs children residing in and around the Kibera settlement in Nairobi.
When not spearheading corporate communication and strategy, Phyllis actively serves her local church community. Here, she fulfills the roles of both a deacon and the church treasurer, drawing strength from her faith.
Phyllis earned her Bachelor of Science (BSc.) degree in International Business Administration (IBA) with a minor in Marketing from United States International University – Africa (USIU-A). Additionally, she has pursued certifications in Corporate Governance, ESG Strategy & Reporting, and various business leadership programs. Notably, in 2023, Phyllis completed the Strathmore Business School Women Directors Leadership Program, enhancing her readiness for board roles. Furthermore, she holds a diploma in Theology from the Presbyterian University of East Africa, an area that remains of great interest for her personally.
“I am on a journey of continuous improvement – learning, unlearning and relearning – to be my best self, so that I may be an effective and productive steward of that which I have been entrusted with, in the season.”
Phyllis Gachau
