Barclays Bank Kenya and Ideanomics Global collaborate to host the prestigious 2nd Women in Leadership Africa Forum & Awards in Kenya
9th September 2013, Kenya – Barclays Bank Kenya Ltd and IDEANOMICS Global have joined hands to commend influential women leaders from East Africa, all under under one roof, at the innovational 2nd Women in Leadership Africa Forum & Awards 2013 (WILA). The stellar event (a vision conceptualized by IDEANOMICS Global), which is fast becoming an ideal platform for women in leadership from various regions in Africa, is taking place at the grand InterContinental Nairobi, Kenya, on 18th and 19th September 2013.
“As Barclays Bank, we are proud to be associated with the Women in Leadership Africa Forum & Awards (East Africa Edition) not only because it is being held in Kenya for the first time, but also because we recognise the important role that the forum is playing in supporting women in Africa, ” states Mr. Jeremy Awori, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Barclays Bank Kenya Ltd.
The impressive two-day event, organised by Ideanomics Global and co-sponsored by Barclays Bank Kenya Ltd, aims to motivate young female entrepreneurs and aspiring leaders by providing them with access to some of the most eminent women leaders from diverse industries including energy, technology, media and the public sector.
Mr. Awori continues, “In today’s constantly charging and competitive banking landscape, having an all-inclusive diverse and high-quality leadership team is paramount. By co-opting women in executive leadership and at board level, the organisation has created a platform to leverage the opportunities that a diverse talent pool has to offer, including having an all round team driving business growth. The gender gap has been narrowing yearly at Barclays Bank; this is because as a global brand, the resourcing teams have always been driven to converge the gap by introducing many women to management levels.”
An array of eminent women leaders will speak at WILA 2013 Kenya, including the renowned Chairperson of KAWBO, Eva Muraya; and Catherine Ngahu (Founder & Executive Chairperson, SBO Research); Anne Wangari Kirima-Muchoki (Chairperson, Kenya Investment Authority) and Ada Mwangola (Assistant Director – Social Pillar, Kenya Vision 2030).
Mr. Savio Coutinho, Executive Director, Ideanomics Global, comments, “WILA aims to give women leaders an opportunity to meet, discuss and advise next generation women leaders on the needs of creating that environment that will help them in successfully reaching their aspirational goals, empowering them and ultimately helping them in ‘Fostering the Future of Africa’.”
Also speaking at the forum is the well-known Honourable Mrs. Petrina Namutenya Haingura (Deputy Minister, Ministry of Health & Social Services – Namibia); Dr. Agnes Zani (Senator – Senate of Kenya, Office of the Senate – Kenya); as well as Naisula Lesuuda (Senator – Communication Consultant & Peace Ambassador, Office of the Senate – Kenya).
“We believe that the era for gender stereotyping is long gone and the few existing ones have been addressed by legislation against discrimination. As we move towards attaining Vision 2030, women should utilize their skills, expertise, networks and forums such as this to actively participate in our economic growth,” states Mr. Awori.
The 2nd WILA of the nationwide series follows the phenomenal success of the inaugural event, which took place earlier this year in South Africa, and was attended by the most successful and inspirational women leaders of the region, including government ministers, CEOs and business leaders from across the region.
