Uchumi CEO Julius Kipngetich joins Standard Group's board

Julius Kipngetich (Photo: Courtesy)

The Standard Group has appointed Uchumi Supermarkets Limited Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Dr Julius Kipngetich, as an Independent Non-Executive Director effective October 7, 2017.

The announcement was made through a public notice as per the requirements of the Capital Markets Authority.

Before joining Uchumi, Kipngetich served as the Chief Operating Officer of Equity Group Holdings Limited from October 2012 to September 2015.

Kipngetich has had an illustrious career as Director and CEO of Kenya Wildlife Service between December 2004 and September 2012 where he turned around the organisation from loss making.

He has also served as the Managing Director of Investment Promotion Centre and held senior positions at the University of Nairobi.

Kipngetich serves as a Non-Executive Director of the Kenya Tea Development Agency Limited (MS), Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation and the Jubilee Insurance (Kenya) Ltd.

He holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration and a Bachelors of Commerce degree (Accounting option) from the University of Nairobi.

Kipngetich's entry into the board comes four weeks after Sam Shollei exited as CEO.

On Friday 6, October, the Standard Group management hosted a farewell party in honour of Shollei. The event was attended by members of the board, senior management and over 400 employees.

Shollei had worked at Standard Group since 2012. Employees described him as a man of the people and risk taker in business. During his tenure, Standard Group launched a Swahili radio station - Radio Maisha and a 24 hour news channel called KTN News. Both ventures have high ratings and are bringing in good revenues for the group.

The acting Group CEO Orlando Lyomu thanked Shollei for his leadership that saw the group navigate through difficult economic times.