GTFUND MANAGERS - Key Persons
Dan is a multi-lingual, seasoned banking executive with extensive experience in transaction banking services and retail, commercial, and public sector banking. He graduated from Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University in 1994 and obtained an MBA degree (with Distinction) from Warwick Business School, University of Warwick in 2006. A recipient of 2005/2006 British Council Chevening Leadership Scholarship and an Honorary Senior Member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), a member of the Professional Risk Managers International Association (PRMIA), the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), United Kingdom and an Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), United Kingdom.
Job Titles:
- Executive Director
- Member of the Management Team
Josephine Essien is the ED (Executive Director) and also occupies the office of the Chief Investment Officer of Guaranty Trust Fund Managers Limited (GTFML). She is a finance professional with 14 years of experience (between 2008 till date) in Emerging Markets, possessing exceptional competence in Financial Analysis, Investment Portfolio Management, Fixed Income Trading, Multi-Currency Trading & Structured Sales, Derivatives Sales, and Client Relationship Management. She started her career in 2008 with Citibank in the commercial banking division. She later moved to GT Bank as a Retail banking Officer in 2010 where she explored business opportunities in new markets and evaluated market penetration strategies. In 2014, she acquired an Advanced Diploma in Accounting & Business from the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. In the progression of her career, she has become a member of the Chartered Professional Accountant and Certified General Accountant - CPA, CGA of British Columbia, and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants-ACCA. She later worked with MTN and RMB Nigeria where she built experience in the management of Investment Portfolios as well as working closely with various stakeholders as well as clients to build a robust client base and ensure maximum yield on all investments.
In the course of her career spanning over two decades, Mrs. Omolara Ogunlaja has led several transactions in Nigeria providing strategic advice to leading corporates, state governments, and multinational clients on mandates covering complex financial advisory, debt and equity capital raising, corporate restructurings, project/structured finance, loan syndications, and mergers & acquisition transactions. Over the years, Mrs. Lara has also been directly involved in the execution of GTBank's strategic capital raising transactions, from the Bank's international capital markets transactions covering its Eurobond offerings in 2007 and 2013 as well as its historic concurrent offering of Global Depositary Receipts in the international and domestic markets in 2007 to its domestic bond issuance in 2010. She facilitated the Bank's compliance with the then new licensing regime introduced for the Nigerian banking sector by the Central Bank of Nigeria in 2010 by spearheading the Bank's divestment from its 4 erstwhile non-banking subsidiaries between 2011 to 2012. Mrs. Lara is a Sponsored Individual of the Securities & Exchange Commission of Nigeria (SEC) and was a senior member of the SEC Rules and Regulations Sub-Committee of the Capital Markets Committee (the apex interactive committee of the Nigerian Capital Markets) till 2012, during which period she worked closely with the SEC and market counterparts to propose/recommend wide-ranging rules and regulations for the development of Nigerian capital markets. She is also a senior honorary member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Nigeria. Mrs. Lara holds a first degree in Philosophy from the University of Lagos, a Masters of Management (with specialization in Strategic Management) from the School of Post-Graduate Studies, University of Lagos, Nigeria.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Member of the Management Team
- Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Fund Managers Limited
Mr. Kelvin F.B. Biiranee was appointed the Managing Director of Guaranty Trust Fund Managers Limited, a Non-Banking Subsidiary of GTCO Plc, in July 2022. Prior to this, he was a General Management staff with 2 decades of experience that cuts across Wealth Management, Auditing and Banking. Kelvin is a thoroughbred business developer with impressive executive, professional and academic qualifications. Mr. K.F.B. Biiranee started his professional career in October 2002 as a Credit & Investment Analyst at Venture Trust Limited. He has since worked at Ukariwe Eke & Co. Chartered Accountants; Zenith Bank Plc; and Guaranty Trust Bank Plc. During his 18 years banking career, Kelvin has held leadership roles within Operations, Retail, Corporate and Institutional Banking. Mr. Biiranee's Executive and Professional Education is broad and varied. These include the Advanced Management Programme of the Lagos Business School and IESE Business School, Barcelona, Spain. He is a Fellow of a global professional accountancy body - Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA); Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (FCA); Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (FCTI); Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB); and a Member of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (MCSI). Mr Biiranee is a Sponsored Individual of the Securities & Exchange Commission (SEC) Nigeria with registration for Fund/Portfolio Manager & Corporate Investment Adviser. Mr. K.F.B. Biiranee attended KIDI Commercial College in Rivers State, Nigeria. He graduated from the University of Port Harcourt with a degree in Accounting and was the overall best graduating student from the Faculty of Management Sciences. Post graduation, Kelvin studied Finance at University of Lagos; Accounting & Finance at The University of Manchester and Global Central Banking & Financial Regulation at The University of Warwick
Job Titles:
- Member of the Management Team
- Head, Compliance
Prior to taking up her current position, Susan was the Deputy Managing Director of NEM Insurance Plc (2014-2020) one of the leading Insurance companies in Nigeria. While at NEM she oversaw their Marketing, Business Development, and Growth which saw NEM not only become a prominent player in energy insurance in Nigeria but also commence operations in Ghana (RegencyNEM Insurance Ghana) where she still serves on the Board. She continues to Consult for NEM Insurance and holds other board positions including Ultimate Health HMO where she is an Independent non-Executive Director. Susan graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Law and also holds a Masters degree in International Law. As part of her passion for lifelong learning, Susan has attended Leadership courses at Wharton, Harvard and Columbia University. She is a member of the Institute of Directors, Institute of Management, and Institute of Marketing - all organizations focused on the development of senior talent in Nigeria. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her children, reading, and mentoring women in business.