New boss as Standard Group makes changes

By Standard Reporter

The Standard Group has announced changes in management to reflect market dynamism and to underpin strategic growth agenda.

Mr Sarvjeet Channa becomes the new Group Chief Operating Officer and will, in his new role, oversee the Group’s operations that include sales and distribution, commercial, human resource and information communications and technology services.

Until now, Channa — a Master of Business Administration holder and Chartered Accountant — has been the Group Finance and Commercial Director.

Also promoted is Mrs Zainab Mohamed, who becomes the Chief Accountant/ Assistant Director to oversee the Group’s accounting and financial functions.

Redesignation

A Bachelor of Commerce holder and a Chartered Accountant, Mrs Mohamed will be assisted by Mr David Gacheru, who becomes Treasury Manager and Management Accountant.

Announcing the changes, Mr Paul Melly — whose position is redesignated Deputy Chairman & Chief Strategist — on behalf of the Board, Management and Staff, thanked Mr Paul Wanyagah, who is leaving the Group, for all his contribution to the business.

"Wanyagah is leaving the Group after the end of his four-year contract on the basis of a pre-agreed tenure to pursue other interests… His contribution has been invaluable as a leading member of the management team. I wish to sincerely thank him… and wish him well in his future endeavours," said Melly.

On his part, Wanyagah said the period he has served the Group has been an exciting one in which the media house has grown by leaps and bounds to the current position of a formidable organisation.

More changes

In further changes, Mr Peter Gichui becomes Assistant Director Broadcast and Creative Services. Until now he was Assistant Director Creative Services.

Mr John Opiyo remains the Group Operations and Technical Director while Mr John Bundotich remains Group Chief Editor and Assistant Director.

Mrs Nelly Matheka remains Assistant Director-Legal, HR and Administration while Mr Lawrence Njiru remains Assistant Director Commercial.

Mr Wanyagah has been in the Group for six years, having joined as Commercial Director and risen to Group Chief Operating Officer and finally Group Managing Director, a post he held for four years.

Said Mr Wanyagah: "It has been an exciting six years at the Group, during which the company has witnessed unprecedented growth in terms of human capital, turnover and infrastructure".

He thanked the Board for supporting the great initiatives that the Group has undertaken in the last four years, saying he was leaving to serve in other sectors of the economy.