Absa Group has announced a series of strategic executive leadership appointments and changes that reinforce its commitment to driving growth, innovation, and customer-centricity across its Pan-African operations. These appointments mark a significant step in strengthening leadership capacity as the Group positions itself to deliver scaled impact and operational excellence across all markets.
Charles Russon, who until June 2025 was Interim Group Chief Executive and before that, the Chief Executive: Corporate and Investment Banking, will assume a new role of Group Executive: Africa Regions, effective 1 September 2025, subject to regulatory approval. In his new role, Charles will be accountable for leading and overseeing the performance of the Group’s operations across the Africa regions and provide advisory support to the business units. The role encompasses strategic planning, financial analysis, stakeholder engagement, and adherence to regulatory standards, while also directing the development and execution of business strategy throughout the African continent in support of the Group Chief Executive.
Charles will remain as a member of the Group Executive Committee and will be an Absa Group Limited and Absa Bank Limited Prescribed Officer. We thank Charles for his leadership, especially during the transition to our new Group Chief Executive and appreciate the impact he continues to make in the Group.
Zaid Moola will join the Group as Chief Executive: Corporate and Investment Banking (CIB), subject to regulatory approval. Zaid will join the Group on 1 December 2025 and will assume accountability as Chief Executive: CIB on 1 January 2026. Zaid will be a member of the Group Executive Committee and will be an Absa Group Limited and Absa Bank Limited Prescribed Officer. Zaid joins the Group from Standard Bank, where he was Head of Global Markets. Prior to this, he was Deputy Head of Global Markets and Head: CIB South Africa. Zaid is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)) with an Advanced Management Programme from INSEAD.
He is a FAIS-certified Authorised Representative and Key Individual.
Musa Motloung will join the Group as Group Strategic Risk Officer, subject to regulatory approval, reporting to the Group Chief Risk Officer, Rajal Vaidya. In this role, Musa will be a key contributor to the Group Exco regarding strategic decisions that have large scale and long-term impact on the Group.
Musa is a seasoned executive, with experience in Finance, Investment Banking and Corporate Strategy at Standard Bank, Barclays Africa, BHP Billiton and Anglo American. He joins Absa from Standard Bank, where he was Chief Risk Officer in the Corporate and Investment Bank. Musa is a Chartered Accountant (CA(SA)), with an Advanced Financial Management Programme, an MPhil in Corporate Strategy and a PhD.
“Our ability to design and deliver as a client-centric Pan-African organisation—enabled by top talent—is critical to our success and I’m excited to work with these colleagues moving forward,” said Kenny Fihla, Absa Group Chief Executive Officer.
