Godfrey Sebaana leaves Standard Chartered to join DTB as CEO

Diamond Trust Bank Uganda (DTBU) has announced the appointment of seasoned banker Godfrey Sebaana as its new Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director.

Mr. Sebaana is set to assume leadership on April 2nd, 2024, bringing over two decades of experience to the role.

Mr. Sebaana has been serving as Executive Director and Head of Corporate, Commercial, and Institutional Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Uganda.

His extensive career has seen him develop a well-rounded skillset encompassing mergers and acquisitions, corporate advisory, and financial institution management across various sectors, including global and local corporations, SMEs, and retail banking.

Sebaana is replacing Mr. Varghese Thambi, who is retiring after leading the Bank through a period of significant transformation and growth since 2007.

“We are incredibly grateful to Mr. Varghese Thambi for his leadership in laying a strong foundation for DTBU's success,” said DTBU Board Chairman Azim Kassam.

“Mr. Thambi will be stepping down after a successful tenure and will be available to ensure a smooth handover to Mr. Sebaana.”

Mr. Kassam expressed his enthusiasm for the incoming CEO, highlighting the value Mr. Sebaana brings to DTBU.

“We are delighted to welcome Mr. Godfrey Sebaana to the DTB family. His wealth of domestic and regional banking knowledge, coupled with his proven expertise, will be instrumental in accelerating our growth trajectory.”

Looking ahead, Mr. Kassam emphasized the alignment between Mr. Sebaana's experience and DTBU's strategic direction.

“Godfrey's arrival coincides perfectly with our ongoing 5-year business growth strategy. His proven track record and in-depth understanding of the Ugandan market will be invaluable as we focus on digital transformation and becoming a leader in customer service.”

Godfrey Sebaana is a qualified accountant and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) UK. He holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh Business School. This combination of academic achievement and extensive practical experience positions him well to lead DTBU into a new era.

“The Board is confident that Mr. Sebaana's skills, experience, local knowledge, and passion for innovation will be instrumental in transforming DTBU into a digital-first, top-tier bank that prioritizes exceptional customer service,” concluded Mr. Kassam.