FirstRand, a leading financial institution, has recently announced a series of significant changes in its management structure. These changes include the appointment of a new Group CEO and a new CEO for its subsidiary, First National Bank (FNB).
Jacques Celliers, the incumbent CEO of FNB, will be transitioning to a new role within the organization. He will now be responsible for FirstRand’s group fintech strategy. In this capacity, he will lead a team focused on developing revenue streams that are ancillary to financial services.
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Over the years, several such activities have been developed within FNB. These include the MVNO (FNB Connect) and the nav lifestyle offerings. Both of these initiatives have been well-received by customers. Given the importance of this strategy, FirstRand believes it is crucial to have dedicated leadership to scale and grow.
Harry Kellan, who has served as the Chief Financial Officer of FirstRand for 10 years, will be taking over as the CEO of FNB.
Changes in FirstRand Leadership
In addition to these changes, Alan Pullinger, the current CEO of FirstRand, will be stepping down from his role. He will be succeeded by Mary Vilakazi, who is currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer.
During his tenure as FNB’s CEO, Celliers implemented a successful customer-centric strategy. This strategy was supported by innovative technology that positioned FNB as a market leader in digitally enabled financial services. Given his track record, Celliers is considered uniquely qualified to execute on the fintech strategy.
Celliers replaced Michael Jordaan as FNB’s CEO. Jordaan has since relocated to Stellenbosch and has been focusing on various investments in financial services and technology.
Jacques Celliers on His Tenure at FNB
Reflecting on his time at FNB, Celliers expressed gratitude for the opportunity to lead a committed and innovative team. He stated, “Together we built a market-leading digital institution, with great customer propositions delivered on a well-constructed and agile platform.”