Sidian Bank’s Board of Directors has named John Okulo as the bank’s next Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer. His appointment takes effect on 1 May 2026, pending regulatory approval.
A Seasoned Hand at the Helm
Okulo brings 28 years of banking experience across regional and international institutions, with a career built on corporate banking, trade finance, strategy execution, risk management, and regional business leadership.
He joins from KCB Bank Kenya, where he directs Corporate Banking and oversees one of East Africa’s largest corporate banking portfolios — managing strategic client relationships, financial performance, and risk frameworks at scale.
Before KCB, Okulo held senior leadership roles at NCBA Bank as Group Director of Corporate Banking, and at NC Bank Uganda, where he founded and scaled its Managing Director role, building the subsidiary from the ground up into a fully operational commercial bank. Earlier positions spanned Stanbic Bank, Barclays Bank, Citibank, and Standard Chartered Bank.
He holds a Master of Science in Economics and is widely respected for his industry knowledge and stakeholder relationships across East Africa’s banking sector.
The Board expressed confidence that Okulo’s strategic depth will carry Sidian Bank into its next phase of growth.
Sidian Bank Bids Farewell to Outgoing CEO Chege Thumbi
After nine years of distinguished service, Chege Thumbi retires as Chief Executive Officer of Sidian Bank on 30 June 2026, upon reaching retirement age.
A Decade That Transformed Sidian Bank
Thumbi’s tenure reshaped Sidian Bank from the inside out. Under his leadership, the bank expanded its branch network to 50 locations, grew its Trade Finance portfolio significantly, and built out digital banking and foreign exchange income streams — each move designed to sharpen the bank’s competitive edge.
The bank also strengthened its operational capabilities, elevated its customer experience, and achieved sustained business growth that culminated in a landmark milestone: elevation to Tier II Bank status in September 2025.
Thumbi’s three-decade banking career leaves behind an institution that is measurably stronger, more diversified, and better positioned for the future.
The Board thanked him for exceptional service, dedication, and an enduring contribution to Sidian Bank’s story.
