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Stanbic Uganda has announced the appointment of Catherine Poran as the first female Chief Executive Officer of the Stanbic Business Incubator, effective July 1, 2024, 2024.
Poran succeeds Tony Otoa and brings a wealth of experience in business management, strategic planning, and risk management making her the ideal leader for the role.
Stanbic Business Incubator is dedicated to nurturing and building the competitive capacity of local entrepreneurs and start-ups by providing a range of services, including business mentorship, training, and funding, to help enterprises access financing opportunities to facilitate their growth.
It is a subsidiary of Stanbic Uganda Holdings Limited (SUHL), the listed entity on the Uganda Stock Exchange, operating Stanbic Properties Limited, SBG Securities Limited, FlyHub, and the anchor business—Stanbic Bank Uganda Limited, collectively employing more than 2000 people.
Prior to her appointment, Poran, a Ugandan, served as the Head of Corporate and Investment Banking at Standard Bank Mozambique and welcomed the opportunity to return home. She is a seasoned banker with an impressive 20-year career in the Standard Bank Group, including 15 years in Uganda.
Francis Karuhanga, the Stanbic Holdings Chief Executive expressed his optimism about Catherine Poran’s appointment: “We are thrilled to have Catherine at the helm of Stanbic Business Incubator which she has served as a Board Member since its incorporation and has been a part of the value creation and journey mapping. Her appointment as CE is a natural progression, and we are confident that she will leverage her skills, knowledge, and expertise to actualize the company’s vision.”
Poran expressed her excitement about her new role noting that it is an immense opportunity to lead Stanbic Business Incubator and contribute to the growth of Ugandan businesses.
“I look forward to working with our stakeholders and partners to drive innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic development in line with our purpose of driving Uganda’s growth. My vision is to further establish Stanbic Business Incubator as a leading hub for entrepreneurship and innovation in Uganda, and I am committed to working tirelessly to achieve this goal,” Poran said.
Poran brings a wealth of experience in business management, strategic planning, and risk management to her new role. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University, UK, a Master of Laws from Buckingham University, and a Bachelor of Laws from Buckingham University.