Leading Nigerian miller, Honeywell Flour Mills Plc., has announced the appointment of five new members to its board. This was indicated in a statement on Wednesday.
With the company’s chairman, Oba Otudeko, admitting that it harbours big plans of becoming Africa’s biggest food brand, the new faces will be expected to bring with them world-class experiences needed to boost the company’s chances of achieving its goal. “The appointment of these highly qualified and diverse individuals also underlines the company’s commitment to ensuring the highest level of corporate governance.”
Of the five new recruits, only one is a Nigerian. The other four consist of two British, an Ivorian and a Cameroonian.
Oba Otudeko expressed his strong belief in the vision, emphasising the importance of the population and sufficient natural resources in Nigeria in pushing its growth targets. He also recognised the diverse wealth the board members will offer. “We believe that the unique blend of their knowledge, insight and independent perspective will be of immense benefit to the company,” he said.
The fantastic five
Wonuola Adetayo, from Nigeria, has about 25 years working experience in consulting and marketing. She is presently the co-founder, partner and Chief Executive Officer of Kainos Edge Consulting limited, a firm that provides digital technology solutions. Adetayo has held senior marketing and leadership roles such as Divisional Marketing Director, UAC Foods and Marketing Director, CAP Plc.
Zate Raymond Zoukpo, an Ivorian, just retired as the Chief Operating Officer of the African Development Bank after 25 years of service. He kicked off his career as a Research Fellow with the Ivorian Centre for Economic and Social Research and obtained his Ph.D. in Economics from the University of Tsukuba, Japan in 1985.
British Alan Palmer is the previous Managing Director and CEO of Kraft West Africa and confectionary company, Cadbury Nigeria Plc. He was also the Managing Director, South-East Asia for Cadbury Schweppes Plc. He has nearly 40 years of experience working with companies that specialise in fast moving consumer goods like Trebor Bassett Limited.
Teddy Ngu from Cameroon is currently Head, Corporate Development and Investments of the Honeywell Group. With over 17 years of experience in strategy consulting, corporate finance and auditing and corporate strategy, he has led and worked with prominent consulting firms in over 15 countries in four continents. He was also part of the Corporate Strategy and Development Group at Pepsico, New York.
British-born Andrew Smith-Maxwell has more than 25 years of global investment banking experience from some of the world’s leading investment banks. He has been a partner in Fieldstone Private Capital Group, a non-full service investment bank specialising in power and infrastructure projects across Africa. Maxwell led and built the Energy and Utilities group at Dresdner Kleinwort Wasserstein, a former British-based investment bank.
