August 28, (THEWILL) — Access Holdings Plc has announced the appointment of Innocent Ike as the substantive Group Managing Director (GMD) and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the company.
The appointment, which takes effect from August 29, 2025, was announced in a statement by the company’s Board of Directors, following regulatory approval.
Ike succeeds Bolaji Agbede, who has been serving in an acting capacity since February 2024 after the death of Herbert Wigwe, the former GMD/CEO.
Ike, a seasoned banker and chartered accountant, brings over three decades of experience in financial services, including banking operations, risk management, and corporate governance. He previously served as Managing Director of Polaris Bank Limited and has held senior leadership roles across Nigeria’s banking sector.
According to Access Holdings, Ike’s appointment is part of the Group’s strategic succession plan aimed at consolidating its position as Africa’s largest retail bank and expanding its footprint across key international markets.
“The Board is confident that Mr Ike’s wealth of experience and proven leadership in the financial services industry will further strengthen the company’s capacity to deliver sustainable value to stakeholders”, the statement read.
Access Holdings, which oversees Access Bank Plc and other subsidiaries, operates in 22 countries, including the United Kingdom, France, and key markets across Sub-Saharan Africa.
With this appointment, Ike becomes the second substantive GMD/CEO of Access Holdings since its restructuring into a holding company structure in March 2022.
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