Afua Kyei: The Ghanaian CFO at the Helm of the Bank of England
Afua Kyei, a Ghanaian born and raised in the UK, has made history as the first black executive and the youngest member of the executive team appointed in the 329-year history of the Bank of England. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, overseeing the Bank of England’s Asset Purchase Facility…
Afua Kyei, a Ghanaian born and raised in the UK, has made history as the first black executive and the youngest member of the executive team appointed in the 329-year history of the Bank of England. She currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer and Executive Director, overseeing the Bank of England’s Asset Purchase Facility Fund and its Alternative Liquidity Facility. She is also a Co-Executive Sponsor, leading the Bank’s approach to climate change and diversity and inclusion.
Before joining the Bank of England, Kyei worked at Barclays Bank, where she served as a Finance Director from 2012-2019. During her tenure, she worked across three divisions, including the Investment Bank, Retail Bank, and Group Operations and Technology, where she was instrumental in the Strategic Cost Transformation Programme. She also served as an Ambassador for Diversity and Inclusion for the Bank’s Group Finance Director functions.
Kyei’s diverse experience and roles have helped shape her current position, which combines her innate desire to help people with using her skills to do something purposeful in the public sector. In an interview with the Bank of England, Kyei noted that her goal was to use her problem-solving skills to build a career in banking and financial services in the private sector.
As a qualified Chartered Accountant (ICAS) with Ernst & Young, Kyei studied at Somerville College, Oxford University, reading Chemistry and holds a Master’s degree. She was also awarded a Junior Research Fellowship honor by Princeton University in Organic Chemistry.
Kyei’s rise to the top position is an inspiration to women all over the world, especially those in male-dominated fields. For the most part, her story shows that with hard work, dedication, and a focus on achieving one’s goals, anything is possible.
When she is not occupied with work, Kyei enjoys spending time with her three children, family, and friends. Her personal journey and rise to the top position at the Bank of England serve as a testament to the importance of striking a balance between work and personal life.
Source: Ghanaweb.
