Our Team
Board of Directors
Ahmed Ndope
Chairman
Chairman
Ahmed Ndope
Mr. Ahmed is an Investment Banker with vast knowledge of the Kenyan Capital Markets He is currently involved with Sterling Capital Limited where he was the Managing Director. He was previously the Managing Director of Dyer and Blair Limited and also the General Manager of Pinebridge Asset Managers. He sits and continues to sit in many Boards including insurance, investment and trading companies, bank and the Nairobi Stock Exchange among others. He holds an MBA and Bcom (Hons) from Nairobi University. He has also completed a Post Graduate Diploma in Islamic Banking and Insurance (IIBI), UK.
Allan Walmsley
Director
Director
Allan Walmsley
Mr. Allan is a chartered accountant and he joined the board in 2005. He is currently the Managing director of Sameer Africa Limited. He has previously worked with Pricewaterhouse coopers in Zimbabwe, Sun internal in South Africa, Lonrho Plc UK, Lonrho Motors East Africa First Alliance Pensions and Benefits Nigeria and Royal Exchange PLC in Nigeria among others. He has also done consultancy work for a number of leading South African companies regarding expansion of their activities into other African Countries.
Jeremy Awori
Director
Director
Jeremy Awori
Jeremy Awori is CEO / Managing Director at Barclays Bank of Kenya Ltd and joined Barclays in February 2013. Prior to joining Barclays he has held various positions within Standard Chartered Bank including being the CEO of Standard Chartered Bank Tanzania (2008 to 2012), Regional Sales Director, SCB West Region – Middle East, South Asia and Africa, handling 23 countries (2005 to 2008). He was also the Head of Consumer Banking, SCB UAE (2003 to 2005). Other positions held include being the Head of Consumer Banking and Executive Director for the Bank in Kenya & East Africa. He has also lived and worked in the in UK, North America and Asia.
Jeremy completed his Master’s in Business Administration from McGill University, Montreal Canada. He also holds a Bachelor of Science undergraduate degree in Pharmacy from Manchester University in the United Kingdom.
In addition to his responsibilities at Barclays, Jeremy is the past Chairman of the Kenya Bankers Association, is a board member of Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and sits on several other executive forums in Kenya. Jeremy is also a member of YPO and is an Aspen Global Leadership Institute fellow.
Jeremy is married with three children and his interests include swimming and several other sports.
Dr. Laila Macharia
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Dr. Laila Macharia
Dr. Laila Macharia joined the Board in August 2014. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Africa Metro (formerly Scion Real), a pan-African investment company focused on urban development, and the current Vice Chairman of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA). She holds a Doctorate in Law from Stanford Law School, a Masters in Law from Stanford Law School, a Masters in Law from Cornell Law School, a Bachelor of Law from Cornell Law School and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) from the University of Oregon. She is a lawyer by training with experience in structuring and corporate finance transactions.
Norah Odwesso
Non-Executive Director
Non-Executive Director
Norah Odwesso
Norah Odwesso was appointed to the Board in August 2014 as a Non-Executive Director. She holds an MA degree in Finance & Investment (UK), a Bachelor of Commerce degree (B.Comm) (Hons), UON and is a Certified Investor Relations professional. She is currently the Public Affairs & Communications Director for Coca-Cola Central East & West Africa. She is an Honorary Fellow of the Kenya Institute Management (KIM); Chairperson, Junior Achievement Kenya, a Board member of the Gender Violence Recovery Centre, and a member of the Governing Council of the Management University of Africa.
Senior Management
Joanelose Mwangi
HR
HR
Joanelose Mwangi
Joanelose joined First Assurance in September 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Human Resource Management and a Master of Arts Degree in Counselling Psychology from Daystar University. She is an Executive Leadership Coach through ICF International and also a Registered Prince 2 Practitioner in Project Management through APMG International (UK). Joan is a seasoned HR professional and Full member of Institute of Human Resource Management. She has over 20 years experience in banking and HR disciplines acquired through Barclays Bank where she has served in various management roles. She has great expertise in HR, Training and People Management.
Johannes Kitaka
Chief Operating Officer
Chief Operating Officer
Johannes Kitaka
Chief Operating Officer (COO) joined the company in February 2018. Prior to this role, he served as the Chief Finance Officer (CFO) at Jubilee Insurance Company Kenya. He is a well-seasoned Finance professional for over 26 years with a
wealth of experience in multinational companies’ set-ups, insurance, investments and motor industry with wider exposure to East Africa, Middle East, Brazil, South Africa, USA and Egypt. Johannes holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration, specializing in Business Finance, a minor in Strategic Management and a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting
Anne Njiru
Head of Business Development
Head of Business Development
Anne Njiru
Prior to this role, she served as a Manager Business Development at Heritage Insurance Company Kenya. She is a well-seasoned Insurance professional for over 23 years with a wealth of experience in Business development. Anne holds a Degree in Land Economics and is a Chartered Insurer. Currently finalizing on MBA in Strategic Management.
Paul Sewe
Head of Claims & Branch Network
Head of Claims & Branch Network
Paul Sewe
Paul Sewe as the Head of Branch Network and Claims effective joined the company in February 2018. Prior to this appointment, Paul served as a Head of Claims with Jubilee Insurance -Tanzania for four years, Britam Kenya and
Rwanda where he grew his career from an Accounts Assistant to Underwriting and Claims Manager. He has valuable experience in Insurance branch operations, life assurance management and general insurance operations. Paul has a Bachelor of commerce (Insurance Option) from University of Nairobi, Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) and a Fellow Life Management Institute (FLMI). Paul is currently pursuing FCII (Fellow-Chartered Insurance Institute). He has also completed Senior Management Leadership Development Program at Strathmore Business School.
Mrs. Winnie Nganga
Operations Manager-General
Operations Manager-General
Mrs. Winnie Nganga
Mrs. Winnie joined the company in May 1998 and holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree (BA) from University of Nairobi. She also holds an advanced diploma in insurance from the Insurance institute of London (ACII) and is also an Associate member of the Insurance institute of Kenya (AIIK).She has over 20 years’ experience in Insurance matters and she is in charge of the General business underwriting function.
Mr. Hilary Njuki Mwangi
Operations Manager – Medical
Operations Manager – Medical
Mr. Hilary Njuki Mwangi
Mr Hilary Njuki Mwangi is an Actuary and a member of the Actuarial profession (UK); he holds a BScin Actuarial Science from the University of Nairobi and an Executive MBA from USIU Chandaria School of Business. He has extensive Insurance experience in specialist areas of pricing, analysis, reserving and product design and has worked for several top insurers locally.
He joined the company in 2010 and has successfully spearheaded the growth strategy of the Medical Insurance department turning First Assurance into one of the leading Medical Insurance underwriters.
Catherine Nyaga
Head Of Governance & Control
Head Of Governance & Control
Catherine Nyaga
Catherine joined the company in September 2016. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from University of Nairobi. She is also a Certified Public Accountant. She is a member of Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Kenya and Institute or Risk management (IRM-UK). Catherine has a wealth of experience in audit, risk management and governance. Her main areas of interest are governance, audit, risk and compliance. Prior to joining the company, she worked with Heritage Insurance Company, KPMG, Deloitte- UK and Ernst &Young in audit, advisory and risk management.
Mr. Elias Kariuki
Risk Manager
Risk Manager
Mr. Elias Kariuki
Mr. Kariuki joined the company in March 2014. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting from Kenyatta University. He is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), a Certified Information System Auditor (CISA) and a Certified Public Accountant. He is also a qualified Quality Management Systems Auditor
He is a member of the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE) and a member of the Information Systems Audit and Control Association (ISACA).
Elias has a wealth of experience in audit and risk management as well as management of Quality Management Systems. His main areas of interests are audit, risk, governance, information systems control and quality system reviews. Prior to joining the Company, He worked for Kenya Orient Insurance limited as Senior Auditor. He also previously worked with KimaniKerretts & Co holding the Senior Auditor position.
Janerose Gitonga
Legal Manager
Legal Manager
Janerose Gitonga
Mrs. Janerose Gitonga joined the company in November 2008. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law (LLB) Hons from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in legal studies from the Kenya School of Law .She is a lawyer and an advocate of the High Court .She is also pursuing a course in Arbitration with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and looks forward to parties in a dispute engaging in alternative dispute resolution methods more than litigation.She is an accomplished lawyer in insurance legal liabilities with more than 15 years of experience in the insurance industry and has worked previously as an insurance litigation advocate in a leading law firm.
Vincent Ochieng
Branch Manager – Nairobi CBD
Branch Manager – Nairobi CBD
Vincent Ochieng
Mr. Vincent Ochieng joined the Company in August 2016. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Insurance and Risk Management from Egerton University. He also holds Advanced Diploma in Insurance (ACII) from the Chartered Institute of Insurance UK. He has a wealth of experience in General Insurance as well as Bancassurance. Prior to joining the Company he worked for various companies including Co-operative BanK and CIC insurance Group
Isaac Nguono
Branch Manager – Kisumu
Branch Manager – Kisumu
Isaac Nguono
He holds holds a Bachelor Of Business Management – marketing Option Moi University Diploma In Marketing (ICM-UK) Diploma in Insurance (IIK- college of Insurance On going).
He has worked with ICEA Ltd – Executive assistant/Marketing Executive 2001-2012-Eldoret, Kenya Orient Insurance- Assistant Branch Manager-Nakuru/ Eldoret 2012 to 2017 March. Joined FA as Branch Manager Kisumu on 3rd April 2017
Stephen Simiyu
Branch Manager – Mombasa
Branch Manager – Mombasa
Stephen Simiyu
Stephen Simiyu Joined the company in October 2017 and holds a Bachelor of business administration from Kenya Methodist University Diploma in Business Management (KIM) .He also holds an advanced diploma in insurance from the Insurance institute of London (ACII) and is also an Associate member of Kenya Institute of Management (KIM). He has over 9 years’ experience in insurance industry worked with various underwriters.