PROFILE: Did you know Herman Kasekende is the first Ugandan CEO in the Standard Chartered Bank Group?

Born in 1965, Herman Kasekende is a businessman, economist and bank executive. He is a Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania since June 2022.

Prior to this appointment, Kasekende served as CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Zambia, a position he held since 2017 and was CEO of Standard Chartered Uganda from 2012. He is not only the first Ugandan CEO for Standard Chartered Bank Uganda; he is also the first Ugandan CEO in the Standard Chartered Bank Group.

He joined Standard Chartered Bank in 1998 from Nile Bank and has since held various positions. These include: Head of Consumer Banking; General Manager – SME Banking; General Manager – Shared Distribution; and Senior Relationship Manager – Wholesale Banking.

He also worked at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya as Regional Head of SME Products and Solutions (Africa); and on a short term assignment at Standard Chartered Bank Singapore.

He studied at St. Henry’s College Kitovu for his O-Level and at St. Mary’s College Kisubi for his A-Level education. Kasekende holds a BA (Hons) Economics and Rural Economy from Makerere University, a Masters of Arts in International Economics and Finance from the Brandeis University, Waltham and a host of post graduate certifications in management and leadership.

He has a wealth of knowledge on SMEs and Consumer Banking operations, demonstrable strong leadership skills, and is a proven change-agent within the Bank. He is also a Rotarian and is passionate about changing lives.

In addition, he has previously been the Chairman of the Varkey GEMS Advisory Board (Uganda) and an advisor on the Uganda Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Board.

Kasekende has recently been appointed the Chairman at Solidaridad Network, Africa Continental Supervisory Board.

Kasekende was also Chairman of the Banker’s Association of Zambia (BAZ) from February 2020 until February 2022.

According to Standard Chartered Bank Uganda, during his term in office, the business in Uganda remained stable despite a challenging macro – economic environment. He was able to turn the business back onto a growth trajectory by reducing the portfolio of non-performing loans, exploring new revenue opportunities, maximising efficiencies while maintaining a balance sheet that is highly liquid and well capitalised.

Together with the management team, Kasekende worked to ‘put customers first’ by streamlining processes and improving systems.

Within Standard Chartered’s commitment to invest in digital technology, he also led the launch of the Bank’s mobile application, refreshed online banking platform, S2BX, Straight2Bank mobile wallet, replacement of over 20 ATMs and the opening of ultra-modern branches built in line with Global branch merchandising guidelines.

As a leader, Kasekende made a tangible contribution in developing local talent and growing the Bank’s leadership in Uganda. By the time he left, the bank had over 15 Ugandans working within the Bank’s regional and international network, while in Uganda, the Bank had achieved a gender ratio (Women: Men) of 53:47 with women in leadership positions at 43%.

From an industry perspective, Kasekende chaired the Oil and Gas Technical Working Group (TWG) under the Presidential Investors’ Round Table (PIRT) in addition to his roles as Chairman of Uganda’s Varkey Foundation Advisory Board, Advisor to Uganda’s Chamber of Mines and Petroleum Board and Chairman of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services.