Change of guard at the Nation as new CEO takes over from Gitahi
Outgoing Nation Media Group chief executive Linus Gitahi (left) and NMG Board Chairman Wilfred Kiboro receive incoming CEO Joseph Muganda (right) after the announcement of Mr Gitahi’s early retirement at Nation Centre in Nairobi, on April 4, 2015. Mr Muganda’s appointment becomes effective on July 1. BILLY MUTAHI |
What you need to know:
- NMG Board Chairman Wilfred Kiboro Monday said the changes will take place gradually, as Mr Gitahi remains in office until end of June and thereafter in advisory role till end of the year.
- Joe is one of the best managers I know in whose hands I am confident this business will move to another level both in products and geographical expansion,’’ Mr Gitahi told journalist at NMG board room on Monday.
- NMG also appointed Chief Operating Officer and Acting Editorial Director Tom Mshindi to the newly-created position of Editor-in-Chief.
Regional media giant, the Nation Media Group (NMG) will have a new Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer from July 2015.
Mr Joe Muganda will join the Media Group from Kenya Breweries Limited where he has been the managing director from September 2012.
He replaces Mr Linus Gitahi who has been at the helm for more than eight years.
NMG Board Chairman Wilfred Kiboro Monday said the changes will take place gradually, as Mr Gitahi remains in office until end of June and thereafter in advisory role till end of the year.
‘’We are very pleased to welcome Mr Muganda to the team with his able expertise, knowledge and experience in corporate governance, marketing, communication and general management.
“We also appreciate what Mr Gitahi who has requested for early retirement for the transformation he has made here at NMG,’’ Mr Kiboro said.
Mr Gitahi is credited with overseeing introduction and expansion of new products, regional market expansion, doubling of the company’s market turnovers as well as profitability.
The incoming CEO has been at the helm of other top multinationals including East African Breweries, British American Tobacco and Unilever.
The BSc Econ (Accounting and Financial Management) graduate from Buckingham University and holder of an MBA from Leicester University will be in charge of one of Kenya’s oldest media house with footprints in Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania.
ONE OF THE BEST MANAGERS
The outgoing CEO expressed satisfaction with the role he had played at NMG and exuded full confidence in his successor.
“I am grateful for the opportunity I have had to make my contribution for eight and half years here. It has been my desire to see the transitions that have happened.
“Joe is one of the best managers I know in whose hands I am confident this business will move to another level both in products and geographical expansion,’’ Mr Gitahi told journalist at NMG board room on Monday.
Mr Gitahi, 53, who holds Masters of Business Administration degree from the United States International University (USIU) and Bachelors of Commerce (Accounting option) degree from the University of Nairobi has been Group Chief Executive Officer at Nation Media Group Limited since November 2006.
He previously served as Managing Director of GlaxoSmithKline, West Africa and Chairman of AIB Capital Ltd.
NMG also appointed Chief Operating Officer and Acting Editorial Director Tom Mshindi to the newly-created position of Editor-in-Chief.
He will now join the NMG Board with direct responsibilities for the group’s editorial portfolio across all print, broadcast and digital platforms.
The Board also announced the appointment of Mr Leonard Mususa, a former Senior Country Partner for PricewaterhouseCoopers (PWC) Tanzania as a Non-Executive Director.
He succeeds Ms Zuhura Muro and becomes chairman of the Board of NMG’s Tanzania subsidiary, the Mwananchi Communications Limited (MCL).
