New DMD, ED To Resume At Wema Bank

Wema Bank Plc has appointed a new deputy managing director (DMD) and an executive director (ED) following the imminent retirement of Oluwole Akinleye, the deputy managing director of the bank.

Akinleye’s retirement commences on 30th November 2024 after 10 years of meritorious service on the bank and he is to be succeeded by the executive director in charge of the Lagos Business Directorate of the bank, Oluwole Ajimisinmi

Akinleye was appointed as an executive director of Wema Bank Plc. in December 2014 and became the deputy managing director on April 1, 2023. As an executive director and later the deputy managing director, he oversees the Southwest business, Corporate Banking Division, Customer Experience management and Corporate Sustainability department of the bank.

He also played a pivotal role in steering the bank towards significant growth and success, demonstrating outstanding leadership and commitment to excellence.

According to the bank, “the board of directors and the management of the bank, hereby, express their deepest gratitude to Akinleye for his invaluable contributions and unwavering commitment to the bank’s mission and vision.

“In line with the bank’s succession planning, the Board is pleased to announce the appointment of Oluwole Ajimisinmi as the new deputy managing director, effective December 1, 2024.

Ajimisinmi joined Wema Bank Plc in July 2009 as the company secretary/legal adviser and was appointed to the Board as an executive director in July 2020.”

He has a robust wealth of experience in banking and corporate governance. His appointment as the new deputy managing director of the bank is based on the strength and diversity of his experience, his outstanding strategic orientation, good product development and portfolio management capabilities. He currently supervises the Lagos Business Directorate and the Remedial/Recovery Department of the Bank.

Meanwhile, the board has likewise appointed Olukayode Bakare as an executive director of the Bank.

Bakare is an ardent treasury and finance professional with over 32 years post-graduation experience from both academics and banking sectors, respectively. Until his appointment, he was the divisional executive in charge of Treasury, Wholesale Funding & Global Trade Business of the Bank.

He studied Economics at the Ogun State University and thereafter obtained an MSC from the University of Ibadan in 1995. He also holds an ACI dealing Certificate (Distinction) of the Financial Markets Association, Paris, France. Olukayode has attended various courses and seminars including the Advanced Capital Market program at the New York Institute of Finance, Digital Transformation at IMD, Lausanne, Switzerland and Changing the Game: Negotiation and Competitive Decision-Making at Harvard Business School. He is an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria.

The board said, it is confident that with the appointments of Oluwole Ajimisinmi and Olukayode Bakare as the DMD and ED respectively, the bank will continue to build on its achievements and remain focused on delivering exceptional value to its stakeholders.