Access Holdings Plc, following the tragic passing of the Group’s CEO, Herbert Wigwe, has named Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group Chief Executive Officer.
“Further to its announcement dated February 11, 2024, the Board of Directors of Access Holdings Plc (‘the Company’) has today announced the appointment of Ms Bolaji Agbede as the Acting Group CEO of the Company following the unfortunate demise of its former Group CEO, Dr Herbert Wigwe, on February 9, 2024,” the company said in a statement Monday.
Profile
Ms. Agbede is a versatile professional with over 27 years’ experience in Human Resources management, customer relationship management and banking operations.
She has a proven record of successful people integration during mergers and acquisitions, culture transformation and execution of corporate strategies.
She commenced her professional career in Guaranty Trust Bank and served in various capacities including Relationship Manager and Vault Custodian.
She diligently distinguished herself and swiftly rose from the grade of Executive Trainee in 1992 to Manager in 2001. Ms. Agbede subsequently served as the Chief Executive Officer of JKG limited in 2003 a business consulting outfit.
Ms. Agbede joined Access Bank in 2003 as an Assistant General Manager and was responsible for managing the Bank’s portfolio of chemical trading companies.
She has occupied the role of Head, HR for the Access Bank Group since 2010 wherein she oversees the human capital development of the Group.
Ms. Agbede holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos (1990) and subsequently obtained a Master of Business Administration degree from Cranfield University in 2002. She is a member of the Chartered Institute of Management UK and Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria.
She has attended several renowned leadership and professional development programs including the High-Performance Leadership Programme organised by the IMD and the Strategic Talent Management Programme organised by the London Business School.
She has also a role in the fight for gender equality. She has championed policies such as paternity leave, six months’ maternity leave, and the establishment of the Bank’s Crèche, all aimed at fostering a more inclusive workplace environment. Additionally, she has played a key role in advancing the Access Women Network, which aims to empower and support women within the organization.
In addition to her corporate responsibilities, Agbede actively engages with non-governmental organizations dedicated to women’s empowerment, capacity building, and leadership development. She generously lends her expertise by serving on the boards of such organizations, where she contributes to strategic decision-making and the implementation of initiatives aimed at advancing the status of women in society.