Neil Ribeiro
Serial Entrepreneur & Global CEO
Nairobi
Summary
A results oriented leader who delivers revenue and profitability growth through strategy and innovation. Founded two start ups to profitability, and have led publicly traded, and family owned businesses. Oversaw multi-country operations in Africa. Passionate about driving an impact within the organization and across the greater community.
Overview
29
29
years of professional experience
Work History
C.E.O.
Apptivate Africa
11.2017 - Current
- Successfully built a fintech company that has revolutionized how employers in Kenya & Uganda feed, reward, recognize, and motivate their employees
- Taken a start-up to become an EBIDTA positive company with a valuation of over $3.5M on a shoestring budget
- Created employment for at least 100 workers in informal restaurants.
- Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth
- Established new revenue streams by identifying market opportunities and launching innovative products or services
- Delivered consistent revenue growth by identifying new markets and devising targeted expansion strategies
- Cultivated forward-thinking, inclusive, and performance-oriented business culture to lead industry in innovation and push progress
Non Executive Director
MyCredit Ltd
10.2017 - Current
- Provided board oversight to make this start up grow to a $1M PAT company
- Chair the Board Audit and Risk Committee
- Validate strategic initiatives and monitor their implementation.
- Enhanced corporate governance through the implementation of robust policies and procedures
- Served as a trusted advisor to the CEO, providing candid feedback on key matters affecting the organization's strategic direction and performance
- Set performance & productivity benchmarks to drive company success and strengthen motivation
Group C.E.O.
East Africa Glassware Mart
01.2013 - 11.2017
- Instituted process and structures to convert the company from a family run one to a professionally run one across the group (Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Zambia & Rwanda)
- Oversaw Year on Year growth of over 18% per year
- Successfully started up operations in Zambia and developed the strategies for expansion into Mozambique and Ghana
- Implemented formalized operational and board processes and procedures as well as introduced Kaizen to continually improve them.
- Managed partnerships and strategic business relationships by negotiating contract terms and handling conflicts
Director of Strategy
Starlit Insurance Brokers Ltd
04.2011 - 12.2012
- Facilitated the formation of a 3 year strategy for the company and oversaw its implementation
- Coordinated the successful roll out Kenya’s first insurance retail store chain under the brand “Shillings & Sense”
- Reduced head office payroll cost by 17% through streamlining and restructuring.
- Spearheaded cross-functional teams for successful strategy implementation, ensuring alignment with overall business objectives
- Drove operational efficiency by streamlining processes, reducing costs, and increasing productivity across all departments
Head of Projects
Chase Bank
09.2009 - 04.2011
- Responsible for launching the bank’s Debit card, Prepaid cards and credit card (Sub-Sahara’s first Shariah Compliant credit card)
- Co-led of the Core Banking Software selection and implementation Steering Committee
- In-charge of rolling out branchless (agency) banking across the country
- Identified and launched innovative revenue opportunities e.g
- 3rd party advertising on ATMs and cheque book inside cover.
- Enabled cross-functional team collaboration by establishing regular touchpoints, enhancing information sharing and decision-making capabilities
- Evaluated project performance data to identify areas for improvement, implementing targeted initiatives that increased overall effectiveness
- Oversaw contract negotiations with vendors and suppliers, securing favorable terms that contributed to cost savings on multiple projects
General Manager East Africa
Winton Investment Services Ltd
09.2008 - 09.2009
- Key member of executive management involved in defining strategy and ensuring its timely and budgeted implementation
- Successfully implemented software to automate back office processes resulting in increased efficiency and a reduction of staff by 33%
- As Quality Manager, instrumental in securing ISO 9001 certification
- Developed and monitored the budget for East Africa.
- Cultivated strong relationships with clients, vendors, and partners to ensure long-term success and loyalty
- Formulated policies and procedures to streamline operations
- Drove year-over-year business growth while leading operations, strategic vision, and long-range planning
Country Manager - Kenya
Winton Investment Services Ltd
04.2006 - 09.2008
- Designed and implemented sales strategies which resulted in increased sales revenues of over 500% and much improved bottom line results within two years
- Implemented new and improved investor and customer relations programs resulting in an increase in persistency rate from 90% to 93%.
General Manager and co-founder
myJobsEye.com
06.2002 - 04.2006
- Led this one of a kind new venture in Kenya
- Responsible for day to day operations, marketing, PR, Business Development as well as setting and implementing strategy
- Designed and wrote logic for a one of a kind, 200+ page, recruitment website with a database of over 125 tables
- Oversaw software engineers turning logic into code, and comprehensive testing of product through completion
- Managed the marketing of the product on a limited budget of Ksh 10M, (US$ 150,000) resulting in huge awareness of the brand countrywide, and it becoming an urban household name in a year
- Successfully facilitated a paradigm shift in the recruitment realm in Kenya.
Independent Principal Consultant
Independent Consulting Practice
03.2001 - 06.2002
- Provided consulting services for Aloha Airlines, resulting in a savings of US$100K per month with negligible reduction in passenger services
- Provided consultancy services for Kenya Airways resulting in the elimination of sub-standard vendors and provision of higher quality services with a reduction in costs
- Implemented performance measures for service vendors, and documentation and standardization of in-flight procedures
- Co-headed the team responsible for renovating the business class
- Provided Recruitment and Human Resource consulting services for LSG Sky Chefs countrywide, and other firms in the hospitality and service industry
- Responsible for all Bay Area Management recruitment for LSG Sky Chefs.
Operations Manager
LSG Sky Chefs
01.2000 - 03.2001
- Responsible for all facets of an US$8.3M location producing an average of 30,000 meals a week for 310 flights, operating 24 hours a day
- Improved productivity in the preset area by 14% by establishing run-rates and implementing variable production schedules and other General Manufacturing Processes and Lean Manufacturing Processes
- Successfully brought on 3 new accounts amounting to US$2.6M (37%) in increased revenue.
Manager of Finance and Administration
LSG Sky Chefs
05.1998 - 01.2000
- Responsible for all Finance functions for an US$6.7M facility, and Human Resource functions supporting 130 unionized employees
- Improved productivity by 6% by successfully implementing a manpower planning process
- Oversaw the implementation of an occupational safety program, which resulted in US$150K savings in annual Workers’ Compensation costs
- Developed and implemented a Y2K contingency plan that would allow continuous operations in case of loss of utilities and communications.
Recruitment Specialist
LSG Sky Chefs
03.1997 - 05.1998
- Co-headed the team that designed the Recruitment Brochure which won the Texas State Publication Award in 1997
- Assisted in designing the world-wide recruitment process
- Implemented the recruitment process in the Western Region (12 units)
- Managed the Recruitment and Selection process in the Western Region.
General Manager
McDonalds Operating Company
07.1996 - 03.1997
- Responsible for all aspects of a corporate store with full P&L responsibility
- Reduced overtime by 2 percentage points by implementing a cross training program (from 14% to 12%).
Assistant Manager
McDonalds Operating Company
05.1995 - 07.1996
- Assisted in opening 5 new corporate stores from commissioning equipment, to hiring and training to handing over to the new management team.
Education
Bachelor of Science in HealthCare Administration -
Southwest Texas State University
San Marcos 04.2001 - 05.1994
Award In Financial Planning - undefined
Chartered Institute of Insurers
Corporate Governance for Directors - undefined
Center for Corporate Governance
undefined
Introduction to Generative AI
AI For Business - undefined
Google Cloud Training
Skills
- Operational Excellence
- Corporate Governance
- Strategic Visioning
- Digital Transformation
- Global perspective
- Business Development
- Strategic Planning
- Results Orientation
- Executive Leadership
- Continuous Improvement
Affiliations
Young Presidents Organization
Timeline
C.E.O.
Apptivate Africa
11.2017 - Current
Non Executive Director
MyCredit Ltd
10.2017 - Current
Group C.E.O.
East Africa Glassware Mart
01.2013 - 11.2017
Director of Strategy
Starlit Insurance Brokers Ltd
04.2011 - 12.2012
Head of Projects
Chase Bank
09.2009 - 04.2011
General Manager East Africa
Winton Investment Services Ltd
09.2008 - 09.2009
Country Manager - Kenya
Winton Investment Services Ltd
04.2006 - 09.2008
General Manager and co-founder
myJobsEye.com
06.2002 - 04.2006
Bachelor of Science in HealthCare Administration -
Southwest Texas State University
04.2001 - 05.1994
Independent Principal Consultant
Independent Consulting Practice
03.2001 - 06.2002
Operations Manager
LSG Sky Chefs
01.2000 - 03.2001
Manager of Finance and Administration
LSG Sky Chefs
05.1998 - 01.2000
Recruitment Specialist
LSG Sky Chefs
03.1997 - 05.1998
General Manager
McDonalds Operating Company
07.1996 - 03.1997
Assistant Manager
McDonalds Operating Company
05.1995 - 07.1996
Award In Financial Planning - undefined
Chartered Institute of Insurers
Corporate Governance for Directors - undefined
Center for Corporate Governance
undefined
Introduction to Generative AI
AI For Business - undefined
Google Cloud Training
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