Judith Phiri, Business Reporter
THE NMB Zimbabwe Holdings Limited board chairman, Mr Benedict Chikwanha, is set to retire with effect from 31 December 2023, with Mr Pearson Gowero taking over as the chairman with effect from 1 January 2024.
In a statement, the company secretary, Ms Violet Mutandwa said Mr Chikwanha retires after having served 10 years on the board.
“The NMBZ Holdings board would like to advise members that Mr Benedict Chikwanha retires from the board with effect from 31 December 2023. Mr Chikwanha retires after having served 10 years on the board, nine of which he served as board chairman. The board, management and staff would like to thank Mr Benedict Chikwanha for his dedicated service and commitment to NMBZ Holdings Limited.
The board wishes him well in his future endeavours,” said Ms Mutandwa.
She said Mr Gowero will be taking over the board chairman position.
“The board of directors of NMBZ Holdings Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Pearson Gowero as chairman of the NMBZ Holdings and NMB Bank Limited Boards with effect from 1 January 2024. Pearson currently sits on the NMBZ Holdings Limited and NMB Bank Limited Board as an independent non-executive director and is a member of the ALCO and Finance Committee, Loans Review Committee, Human Capital, Remuneration and Nominations Committee and the Risk and Compliance Committee.”
Ms Mutandwa said Mr Gowero was a seasoned business leader with extensive experience working in consumer facing businesses, while he is a holder of a Bachelor of Science Degree in Economics from the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa. She said he served for SAB Miller Africa as the Country managing director for Zambia and Malawi from September 2006 to June 2011, has held several leadership and management positions during his career at Delta Corporation Limited in Marketing, Sales and Distribution and General Management.
“He served as chief executive officer (CEO) of Delta Corporation Limited, (an associate of ABInBev) from June 2012 until his retirement in June 2021. He has sat on various boards of listed companies, subsidiaries and associates of the Delta Group. He has also served as a member of the National Council of The Confederation of Zimbabwe Industries,” she added.
Ms Mutandwa said Mr Gowero is the board chairman of SeedCo Limited and director of Zambeef Products PLC Zambia and Marksbury Investments Private Limited.
“The board, management and staff at NMBZ Holdings Limited congratulate Pearson on his appointment as chairman to the board and wish him the best in his role.”
Meanwhile, Ms Emilia Chisango has been appointed deputy chairperson of the NMBZ Holdings and NMB Bank Limited boards with effect from 1 January 2024.
“The Board of Directors of NMBZ Holdings Limited is pleased to announce the appointment of Emilia Chisango as deputy chairperson of the NMBZ Holdings and NMB Bank Limited Boards with effect from 1 January 2024. Emilia currently sits on the NMBZ Holdings Limited and NMB Bank Limited boards as an independent non-executive director and is the chair of the Board Credit Committee and Audit Committee. She is a member of the ALCO and Finance Committee and the Human Capital, Remuneration and Nominations Committee. Emilia is a chartered accountant with 28 years working experience, 21 of which were with KPMG where she left at Partner level. She spent a further 6 years working as the chief finance officer (CFO) and Finance Director at Econet Wireless Zimbabwe Limited and EcoCash Holdings respectively.”
She said on 1 March 2021, Ms Chisango left EcoCash Holdings to concentrate on consolidating the Hempac Trading (Private) Limited operations, while she is the founder and Group Chairperson of Hempac. She has recorded several firsts in her career, having been the first black female partner in any accounting firm in Zimbabwe, also became the first female and youngest president of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Zimbabwe (ICAZ) in its 90-year-old history then, among other achievements.
“Testament to her achievements, she was selected to represent Zimbabwe in the Fortune/ US State Department Global Women’s Mentoring Partnership in 2016, a rigorous process where only one female executive is selected in any year. Emilia thus no doubt brings a wealth of experience to NMB,” added Ms Mutandwa.
