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JOHN GACHORA
MD & CEO, NCBA GROUP PLC
John Gachora is a highly respected figure in the banking industry and in the field of electrical engineering. He currently serves as Managing Director (MD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of NCBA Group, a prominent Pan-African banking conglomerate with a strong presence across multiple countries including Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, and Côte d’Ivoire in West Africa.
Born in Gatamaiyu, Kiambu County in 1968, John’s journey is an inspiring testament to the transformative power of hard work, intellect, and determination. He attended the renowned Alliance High School, nicknamed ‘Bush’ among its alumni, and subsequently pursued a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting at the University of Nairobi (UoN).
Driven by ambition, John aspired to broaden his horizons. He embarked on a life-changing educational path, attending the prestigious Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States (US), one of the esteemed Ivy League institutions. There, he successfully earned both a Bachelor of Science (BSc) and a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. He further obtained a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, US.
John’s banking career was set in motion at Credit Suisse First Boston, where he held the position of Vice President for a decade. During his time there, he developed the first operational binomial-based ratings model for collateralized debt obligations (CDOs) and introduced a groundbreaking design for securitisation of military-backed contracts. Later, he served as MD at Banc of America Securities, where he continued to demonstrate exceptional performance.
Returning closer home, John joined Absa, (previously Barclays Africa) headquartered in South Africa. He held several positions within the organisation, rising to the rank of MD. Throughout his tenure, his main focus was on revolutionising the corporate banking model by prioritising the customer’s needs. John’s innovative approach involved combining internal and external solutions to address customer issues, resulting in substantial business and people growth at Absa. Moreover, he played a pivotal role in successfully navigating the complexities of the merger between Barclays and Absa, gaining valuable expertise in the process.
After nearly two decades abroad, John made a triumphant comeback to his homeland, taking the helm as MD and CEO of National Industrial Credit (NIC) Bank. His dedicated focus on expanding the bank’s operations, defining its unique value proposition, and boosting employee morale resulted in an impressive growth of over 70 percent in the bank’s asset base within a span of six years.
In 2019, John was entrusted with the crucial task of leading the merger between NIC and Commercial Bank of Africa (CBA), resulting in the establishment of the NCBA Bank Group, where he assumed the role of MD and CEO. Leveraging his past experience in successful mergers and the invaluable knowledge he gained from his time in the West, John played a pivotal role in the seamless birth of NCBA.
John Gachora ascended to the highest ranks of the African banking industry. His election as Chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association (KBA) in 2021 serves as further testament of his industry thought leadership.
John possesses a wide range of skills that have sharpened his capacity to handle extensive and intricate projects. His innovative problem-solving strategies make him highly capable of overcoming substantial challenges in the corporate realm. With him leading the way, NCBA is poised for a prosperous future, fervently upholding its reputation, while banking on its ambition, “Go For It.”
NCBA stands as a true market leader in Corporate Banking, Asset Finance, and Digital Banking. Only 3 years old, the lender has managed to establish an impressive network of 85 branches across the country. Unlike many other banks that are shutting down branches, NCBA is taking a customer-centric approach and actively expanding its network by opening new branches, aiming to establish a closer connection with its clientele, and reassuring them through its tangible presence and commitment to enhancing their banking experience. This serves as proof that John Gachora is truly a CEO-Alpha.
Through its digital innovations, such as the industry-first achievement of approving asset finance loans within 15 seconds, the Group has successfully increased its market share from 33 percent to 36 percent in the past year.
Regardless of its relatively short existence, the NCBA brand has garnered widespread recognition and respect, with numerous prestigious awards to its name. In 2023, it was ranked Number 1 among the Top 25 Most Customer-Obsessed Brands Impacting Lives by the Business Monthly EA.
