Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (GTCO) has appointed Mrs. Marie Namias as an Independent Non-Executive Director, further strengthening its board composition.
The development was communicated in a notice sent to shareholders, Nigerian Exchange Limited, and the investing public on Tuesday, March 3, 2026. The
disclosure, signed by Company Secretary Erhi Obebeduo, confirmed that the appointment has received regulatory clearance from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).
In the official statement, the company underscored Mrs. Namias’ wealth of experience across key segments of the financial services industry, noting that she brings more than 25 years’ experience spanning retail banking, corporate banking, digital banking, and strategy consulting.
“Guaranty Trust Holding Company Plc (“GTCO” or “the Company”) hereby notifies the Nigerian Exchange Limited, its shareholders and the general public of the appointment of Mrs. Marie Namias as an Independent Non-Executive Director of the Company.
“Mrs. Namias, a French National, is a seasoned professional with over twenty-five years of experience in retail banking, corporate banking, digital banking and strategy consulting,” the statement read.
Over the course of her career, Mrs. Namias has occupied several senior leadership roles. She previously served on the Executive Board of Caisse d’Epargne Bretagne Pays de Loire (Groupe BPCE), where she oversaw both the Retail and Corporate Banking divisions. She also held the position of Director of BRED Espace (Digital Banking) at BRED Banque Populaire and worked as an advisor at Deloitte & Touche Corporate Finance.
Her academic background includes a Master of Science in Strategic Management from HEC, a Master of Laws in European Community Law from Universiteit Maastricht, and a degree from Institut d’Études Politiques de Paris (Sciences PO).
Commenting on the development, the Group Chief Executive Officer of GTCO, Mr. Segun Agbaje, said the addition would reinforce the board’s effectiveness and strategic direction.
“We are pleased to welcome Mrs. Marie Namias to the Board. Her extensive international banking experience, strategic expertise, and strong governance background will further strengthen the Board’s oversight and support the Company’s strategic objectives,” Agbaje said.
According to the company, the appointment reflects its continued focus on strengthening corporate governance structures, promoting diversity, and ensuring robust board oversight in line with regulatory expectations and global standards.
Board Composition
The current Board of Guaranty Trust Holding Company comprises:
Mr. Suleiman Barau – Chairman
Mr. Segun Agbaje – Group Chief Executive Officer
Mrs. Catherine Echeozo – Non-Executive Director
Mr. Babatunde Soyoye – Independent Non-Executive Director
Mr. Adebanji Adeniyi – Executive Director
Mrs. Marie Namias – Independent Non-Executive Director
In December 2025, GTCO disclosed that it had obtained approvals from both the CBN and the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) to raise N10 billion through a private placement of ordinary shares.
The group clarified at the time that the capital raise was not prompted by any capital deficiency at its banking subsidiary, Guaranty Trust Bank (GTBank), which had already exceeded the CBN’s minimum capital threshold for commercial banks with international authorisation.
GTCO further noted that in August 2025, GTBank boosted its capital base to N504.04 billion, placing it above the required regulatory benchmark.
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