By Peter OBIORA InvestAdvocate
Lagos (INVESTADVOCATE)–Atlas Mara Co-Nvest Limited (Atlas Mara) on Monday announced the appointment of Arina McDonald as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of the Company.
McDonald joins Atlas Mara from the Standard Bank Group of South Africa, where she was head of group central finance, Atlas Mara said in a statement.
According to Atlas Mara, McDonald has been with Standard Bank since 2002 and held roles including CFO of Africa; director of group finance projects and a director in investment banking. Before then, she has worked at Goldman Sachs and PricewaterhouseCoopers.
Arnold Ekpe, Chairman said she has excellent expertise and demonstrable success in leading and growing one of sub-Saharan Africa’s largest financial institutions. “I am delighted to announce that Arina is joining us and confident that she will bring that experience to bear at Atlas Mara and ensure that we have one of the best finance functions in Africa,” Ekpe said.
John Vitalo, CEO said: “I look forward to working closely with Arina. It is clear from her past successes that she is an exceptional candidate with superb experience in, and insights into, a wide range of African countries. We have achieved a lot in the last nine months at Atlas Mara and I believe that Arina will help us to continue to thrive.”
On her part, McDonald said she is very excited to be joining Atlas Mara. ‘’Since its IPO, the Company has demonstrated its commitment to becoming one of sub-Saharan Africa’s leading financial institutions, having already announced three acquisitions. I look forward to working with John Vitalo and the rest of the team to continue to deliver that objective and grow the business,” the new CFO said.
McDonald will formerly join Atlas Mara on November 01, 2014 and will take over from Bradford Gibbs, who has held the role of acting CFO. Gibbs will continue to work for Atlas Mara in a seniour strategic and operational capacity, reporting to the CEO and remaining on the executive committee.
Bob Diamond, former Barclays Plc CEO co-founded Atlas Mara, and last week, the investment vehicle increased its stake in Union Bank of Nigeria Plc to 29.9 percent.
