This archive report was first published on 7 November 2019.
Sanlam Kenya has announced the appointment of Caroline Laichena as the new Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam General Insurance, effective November 1st, 2019.
The appointment follows a series of competitive recruitment processes and is part of Sanlam Kenya's ongoing efforts to deepen its leadership capacity for business growth.
Speaking on the appointment, Sanlam Kenya Group CEO Dr. Patrick Tumbo said the new CEO will spearhead ongoing business reforms geared at accelerating growth.
Laichena joins her Sanlam Life counterpart Stella Njung'e in an all-female leadership duo providing support to Dr. Tumbo as subsidiary CEOs and Principal Officers.
Laichena has been serving as Acting CEO since January 2019, following the exit of former Sanlam General Insurance CEO George Kuria. During her tenure, she played a critical role in the return to profitability of Sanlam General Insurance.
"The appointment of Ms. Laichena underlines Sanlam Kenya's commitment to our business transformation agenda," said Dr. Tumbo. "As a career Insurance Executive, Ms. Laichena enjoys the wealth of experience and leadership capability required to transform Sanlam General Insurance to the top of the league."
Get breaking news on your Mobile as-it-happens. SMS ‘NEWS’ to 20153 On her part, Laichena said: "I am humbled to be taking over as the substantive Sanlam General Insurance CEO at a most exciting moment in the history of this company. Backed by a complement of some of the most experienced Insurance executives in Kenya, we shall be building upon our recent success factors to further raise the value of general insurance services to our growing clientele." Laichena has over 19 years of experience in the insurance industry, having started her career as a Management trainee at Lion of Kenya Insurance Company. She has held various positions at ICEA, Jubilee Insurance, Cannon Assurance, and Heritage Insurance, before joining Sanlam Kenya in September 2016. Under her leadership, Sanlam General Insurance returned an underwriting profit of KSh 40.9 million with a profit before tax of KSh 193.6 million in the previous year, up from KSh 102.3 million posted the previous year.
