The ranking of the 50 most influential CEOs presents a key opportunity for these entrepreneurs, business leaders, and CEOs to be inspired and also continue in their strides of setting global standards & records.
Below is the full list of the 50 Most Influential CEOs in
Kenya in 2024.
- Nasim
Devji – CEO Diamond Trust Bank
- Njeri
Jamo – CEO Jubilee Insurance
- Perminus
Wainaina – CEO Corporate Staffing Services
- Peter
Ndegwa – CEO Safaricom
- Phylip
Leferink – CEO Lake Turkana Winmdpower
- Priscilla
Gathungu – CEO Java House
- Rajan
Shah – CEO Capwell Industries
- Rita
Kavashe – CEO Isuzu East Africa
- Sam
Gichuru – CEO Nailab and Kidato School
- Stephen
Gitagama – CEO Nation Media Group
- Wachira
Waruru – CEO Royal Media Services
- Waithaka
Gaitumia – CEO Centomony
- Wandia
Gichuru – CEO Vivo Fashion Group
- Abdi
Mohamed – CEO Absa Kenya
- Amaan
Khalfan – CEO Goodlife Pharceuticals
- Andrew
Gitau – CEO AMG Realtors
- Ashish
Molhotra – CEO Airtel Kenya
- Ashok
Sunny – CEO Ashok Sunny Tailor Limited
- Badra
Shah – CEO Mombasa Cement
- Catherine
Karimi – CEO APA Insurance
- Catherine
Muraga – CEO Microsoft ADC
- Cleophas
Nyagaka – CEO Fine Urban Interiors
- Darshan
Chandaria – CEO Chandaria Industries
- DR
Gamaliel Hassan – CEO Stima Sacco
- Dr
Githinji Gitahi – CEO AMREF Healthcare
- Dr
James Mwangi – CEO Equity Group
- Dr
Patrick Gatonga – CEO ARR Insurance
- Dr
Samuel Maina – CEO The Nairobi Womens Hospital
- Dr
Toseef Din – CEO M.P. Shah Hospital
- Edward
Kirathe – CEO Acron Group
- Eugene
Mbugua – CEO D & R Studios
- Evelyn
Ngatia – CEO Techwatt Limited
- George
Wachiuri – CEO Optiven
- Gideon
Muriuki – CEO Cooperative Bank
- Hasnain
Noorani – CEO PrideInn Group
- Imran
Osman – CEO Avenue Group
- Jayesh
Saini – CEO Bliss Healthcare
- Joanne
Mwangi – CEO PMS Africa Group
- John
Gachora – CEO NCBA Bank
- Joram
Mwinamo – CEP SNDBX
- Joseph
Choge – CEO Unga Group
- Joshua
Chepkwony – CEO Jamii Telecommunications
- Joshua
Oigara – CEO Stanbicc Bank
- Kevin
Otiende – Managing Director Calla PR
- Lulu
Hassan – CEO Jiffy Pictures
- Mary
Njoki – CEO Glasshouse PR
- Mercy
Maluli – CEO Devine Collections
- Mohamed
Abdi – CEO Skyward Express
- Mohamed
Abdulle – Managing Director Dakawou Transport
- Mugo
Kibati – CEO Telkom
How to Become a CEO: 6 Steps to Your Dream Career
Whether you are about to head to college or have been stuck
in the same job for 20 years, there are countless career paths available for
those with ambition, passion, and courage to chase their dreams. This is also
the case if you have the aspiration of running a successful business.
Many individuals fantasize about becoming a CEO, where they can oversee the day-to-day
operations of a company, make the important decisions, and bring home a bumper
wage. Sadly for the regular person, there’s no fast-track to the top in the
world of business, and few put in the effort, time, and energy it requires to
make it a reality.
Are you extraordinary? Do you have the right skills and leadership qualities to become an industry kingpin? If so, this guide will list six steps to take on your way to becoming a high-flying CEO.
Step #1: Understand your strengths
Before anything else, it is important you take a close look
at yourself to understand your strengths. While you may believe that every CEO
has a set list of skills to succeed in their role, this isn’t the case. All
leaders boast their own collection of talents, and these are utilized in
different ways to bring out not only the best in themselves, but also
others.
Why should you identify your strongest skills and assets? By
doing this, you can gain a greater idea about which path to take when
progressing your career. You’ll also be aware of which areas you need to
improve upon before contemplating the jump to being a CEO.
Step #2: Know what skills are required
You’re aware of your strengths. However, you also need to
appreciate which essential skills are necessary to become a successful CEO.
Without a certain key skill in your repertoire, you won’t be able to perform to
an optimal level as a leader – and this could result in you missing out on
opportunities.
Below are the key skills a CEO possesses:
- Communication:
It goes without saying, but strong communication skills are an integral
element for someone in a leadership position. From face-to-face
interactions to emails, communication has to be clear, concise, and easy
to understand for everyone throughout. If a message becomes muddled from
the top, for instance, it can lead to significant problems at every level
of the company.
- Listening: Alongside
proficient communication skills, a successful CEO also requires great
listening skills. It’s not just about listening to the voices closest to
them, either – it’s about hearing the thoughts and opinions of those at
all levels. Furthermore, that listening turns into trust.
- Management: Leadership
is all about excellent management. By putting together the correct
organizational structure, hiring the right workers, delegating tasks
effectively, and so on, a business has the correct foundation for success.
- Ambition: Nobody
falls into the position of being a CEO. It takes a hefty quantity of
ambition and drive to reach this lofty position. Yet ambition and big
picture thinking shouldn’t cease once someone has become the top dog in an
organization. They need to always be strategic about the direction of the
business, knowing about trend shifts and be willing to adapt when
necessary.
- Open-mindedness: A
CEO should never be stuck in their ways and unwilling to adapt. In fact,
their mindset should always be one that is open to new methods,
technology, and ideas. This also encourages employees to attempt new
procedures and processes, ultimately improving the company overall.
- Decisiveness: As
the head of a business, the CEO is relied upon to make the big decisions –
and remain committed to them. A decisive approach ensures everyone knows
the overall goal, and this supplies confidence throughout the
organization.
Step #3: Gaining an education
Further education is vital for two main reasons. One, what
you learn at college and university is applicable for your career. Two, it
looks attractive on your resume and is the gateway to landing lucrative job
opportunities. The latter is particularly important because, unless you start
your own company, the chance of becoming a CEO without a degree is close to
zero.
As for what undergraduate degree you should study, subjects
such as business, economics, accounting and finance, science, and liberal arts
make sense. Once the undergraduate degree is completed, an MBA from a respected
educational institution is highly recommended.
Step #4: Build connections
Connections should be built before you even graduate
from college. Why? Well, connections get your foot in the door. They’re the ideal
route to take when searching for your initial post-graduate job.
Due to this, an integral element in building connections is
through internships. Keep in mind your training should also match up to the
industry you’re hoping to join. By doing this while in university, you’re
provided with a head start that shortens that all-important first job hunt.
Step #5: Continue your education while working
It’s a lot to juggle, admittedly. However, don’t view your
MBA as the final step in your educational journey. Even when you have secured a
promising position with the potential to rise through the ranks, a doctoral
degree supplies you with advanced knowledge that will further support your
ambition to become a CEO.
However, achieving an executive Doctor of Business
Administration degree might seem impossible while also in employment. Yet,
that’s not the case thanks to online education. For instance, Aston University
is a respected institution where you can earn an online DBA.
This allows you to continue working while studying for the degree.
Step #6: Work hard
It’s the most obvious point, but it is also one which many
fail to do. To reach the top and become a CEO, you need to get promoted. To get
promoted, you need to work extremely hard and demonstrate you have the ability
to be a leader.
In general, CEOs are appointed by board members. As a
result, it makes sense to build fruitful relationships with your company’s
board. By doing this, you’ll position yourself on their radar – and this could
lead to you being considered for promotion when there are openings for future
leadership roles.