Partridge bids NBM farewell, praised for humility
National Bank of Malawi (NBM) board chairperson Matthews Chikaonda has praised George Partridge, former chief executive officer (CEO) of the listed bank, for leaving behind a “competent team” that will steer it to greater heights.
Partridge ended his 22-year romance with the Malawi Stock Exchange (MSE)-listed bank at the end of October and has since joined its parent company, Press Corporation Limited (PCL), as its group CEO from November 1.
“I have no doubt that going forward, the bank is in safe hands. He has left behind a competent team,” said Chikaonda on Thursday at Sunbird Mount Soche in Blantyre during a farewell cocktail.
Partridge takes over the seat that Chikaonda leaves at the end of the year.
At NBM, deputy CEO Mac Fussy Kawawa has taken over as acting CEO and will be deputised by two general managers, Austin Musyani and Harold Jiya.
Chikaonda said the mark of a good leader is shown when the team he has left behind is thriving.
While praising Partridge for his humility, he advised him to always thank people who have him during his career.
“Let’s look back for the hand that gave us a push,” he said, praising him for implementing three strategic plans during his tenure.
In his speech, Partridge said he enjoyed the time he worked at the bank.
“It has been a fulfilling experience. I want to thank the directors of the bank for their wise counsel,” he said.
To the customers, Partridge acknowledged that it has not been all rosy because there have been times the customers may not have been served well, but thanked them for “maintaining their loyalty to the bank”.
He also hailed the good relationship with the Reserve Bank of Malawi (RBM).
By virtue of being CEO of PCL, Partridge will be the chairperson of the dual-listed conglomerate’s subsidiary companies such as Malawi Telecommunications Limited (MTL), TNM plc, Ethanol Company Limited, Presscane Limited, People’s Trading Centre Limited, Press Properties Limited, Macsteel Malawi Limited and Limbe Leaf Tobacco Company Limited, among others.
As of Friday, NBM share price closed at K250 per share, and the bank, with 466 million shares on issue, is the largest commercial bank in terms of market capitalisation and assets. n
