The Client
Trade Catalyst Africa (TCA) is a catalytic finance fund wholly owned by TradeMark Africa that aims to deliver investments that increase exports and intra-regional trade in Africa. TCA will pilot commercially viable projects for creating trade infrastructure (both physical and digital) as well as increasing access to trade finance for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).
Key Objectives
Oxford HR was asked to carry out a search to find the first Chair and CEO for TCA.
Solutions
- Find Exceptional Leaders
The TCA Board Chair role needed an exceptional Non-Executive Director with a strong background in development finance, strategic leadership, and regional influence. Candidates were evaluated on their relevant professional background (especially financial services & public sector investment); Chair/ NED experience; Leadership skills at C suite level – proven intellectual & strategic thinking skills; gravitas & credibility at senior level, and communications skills & quality of application. Oxford HR received 32 applicants from 9 countries, predominantly from East Africa. After a rigorous selection process, Patrick Obath was confirmed as the first Chair of Trade Catalyst Africa.
The brief for the CEO was to find a dynamic and visionary individual with strategic leadership, political skills and experience in the development finance space. They needed excellent strategic skills and proven ability to build and run an organisation and deliver its goals, a track record in developing and maintaining partnerships with DFIs, impact investors and donors. They also needed experience in setting up funds along with expertise in sourcing and structuring deals and leading end-to-end deal processing and exceptional political, interpersonal, and coalition-building skills, able to engage with partner governments and DFIs at the highest level and build a strong team. Oxford HR directly contacted over 250 individuals, a combination of target candidates and knowledgeable sources, and received a total of 67 applicants from 18 countries.
Duncan Onyango was appointed as the first CEO of TCA.
