FirstRand Executive and Leadership Team

August, 2026

Leadership Overview

FirstRand has 10 executives leading key functions including strategy, financial oversight, information technology, and human capital management.

Focused on delivering comprehensive financial solutions across diverse global markets, FirstRand maintains a commitment to sustainable growth and operational excellence through its integrated banking, asset financing, and investment services.

Leadership Roles at FirstRand

  • Chief Executive Officer - Bydon Longwe
  • Chief Financial Officer - Markos Davias
  • Chief Financial Officer, Rmb - Jaco Van Wyk
  • Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer - Chequitta Ajene
  • Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa - Luke Woodford
  • Group Chief Financial Officer, Fcc & Treasury - Lynne Hume
  • Chief Information Officer, Fcc - Alan Vickery
  • Chief Information Officer, At Fnb Foreign Exchange - Michael Preston
  • Group Chief Information Officer, Human Capital Technology - Nomsa Lewisa
  • Chief of Staff & Group Chief, Firstrand Value Office - Hilda Nsibande
  • Bydon Longwe - Chief Executive Officer

    Bydon Longwe, the Chief Executive Officer at FirstRand, directs the overarching strategic vision for this global financial services group. Longwe manages the integration of diverse divisions including FirstRand Bank, WesBank, and Rand Merchant Bank to ensure cohesive market performance. By overseeing operations across Africa, Europe, Asia Pacific, India, and the United Kingdom, the Chief Executive Officer drives expansion and maintains competitive positioning in complex financial landscapes. Longwe collaborates with the Board to align corporate objectives with long-term shareholder value. This leadership role involves navigating regulatory environments while fostering innovation in consumer and business-to-business financial products. Through rigorous oversight of the group's portfolio, Bydon Longwe secures the stability of the organization. Ultimately, the Chief Executive Officer champions a culture of excellence that supports the delivery of sophisticated banking and insurance services to a broad international client base.

    Markos Davias - Chief Financial Officer

    Markos Davias, the Chief Financial Officer at FirstRand, manages the fiscal health and capital allocation strategies for the entire financial services group. Davias oversees financial reporting, risk management, and investor relations to ensure transparency and compliance across all international operations. By analyzing market trends in southern Africa and beyond, the Chief Financial Officer optimizes the balance sheet to support the growth of asset financing and investment banking divisions. Markos Davias coordinates with executive leadership to allocate resources effectively, driving efficiency in the deployment of capital across diverse subsidiaries. This role requires constant monitoring of global economic indicators to mitigate financial exposure. Through precise financial planning and rigorous internal controls, Davias maintains the integrity of the group's fiscal operations. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer provides the necessary financial foundation for the company to deliver consistent value to stakeholders and clients worldwide.
    Markos Davias

    Jaco Van Wyk - Chief Financial Officer, Rmb

    Jaco Van Wyk, the Chief Financial Officer, Rmb at FirstRand, manages the financial operations and investment strategies specific to the Rand Merchant Bank division. Van Wyk oversees the capital structure, liquidity management, and financial performance of the investment banking arm to support its market-leading position. By analyzing complex financial instruments and market risks, the Chief Financial Officer, Rmb ensures that the division maintains a robust balance sheet while pursuing growth opportunities. Jaco Van Wyk collaborates with the broader group finance team to align investment banking activities with the company's overall risk appetite. This role involves providing strategic financial guidance to the investment banking leadership to optimize deal execution and profitability. Through the rigorous management of financial resources, Van Wyk supports the delivery of sophisticated investment services to corporate and institutional clients. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer, Rmb secures the financial health of the investment banking division within the larger group.

    Chequitta Ajene - Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer

    Chequitta Ajene, the Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer at FirstRand, directs the administrative and strategic operations within the finance function to ensure executive efficiency. Ajene manages the flow of information and priorities for the Chief Financial Officer, facilitating the execution of critical financial projects across the group. By overseeing the coordination of financial planning cycles and board reporting, the Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer ensures that the finance leadership team remains focused on high-impact strategic objectives. Chequitta Ajene bridges the gap between the finance department and other business units to foster collaboration and alignment. This role involves managing complex schedules and communication channels to support the timely delivery of financial insights. Through the optimization of office operations, Ajene enhances the productivity of the finance leadership. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer supports the effective management of the company's financial resources.

    Luke Woodford - Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa

    Luke Woodford, the Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa at FirstRand, manages the financial performance and regulatory compliance for the group's operations across the African continent. Woodford oversees the fiscal health of regional banking entities, ensuring that local operations align with the group's global standards for risk and profitability. By analyzing regional market dynamics and economic conditions, the Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa optimizes capital allocation to support growth in emerging markets. Luke Woodford collaborates with local management teams to implement efficient financial reporting and control systems. This role involves navigating diverse regulatory environments to ensure the stability and success of the company's footprint in Africa. Through the strategic oversight of regional financial activities, Woodford drives the expansion of banking and financial services to a wider customer base. Ultimately, the Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa secures the financial sustainability of the group's operations across the continent.

    Lynne Hume - Group Chief Financial Officer, Fcc & Treasury

    Lynne Hume, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Fcc & Treasury at FirstRand, directs the treasury operations and financial crime compliance funding for the entire organization. Hume manages liquidity, interest rate risk, and foreign exchange exposure to ensure the group maintains a stable financial position in volatile markets. By overseeing the treasury function, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Fcc & Treasury optimizes the cost of funding and ensures that the company has sufficient capital to support its diverse business activities. Lynne Hume collaborates with compliance teams to ensure that financial crime prevention efforts are adequately resourced and aligned with global standards. This role involves managing relationships with financial institutions and regulators to maintain the group's market reputation. Through the precise management of treasury assets and compliance budgets, Hume supports the overall financial health of the company. Ultimately, the Group Chief Financial Officer, Fcc & Treasury provides the essential financial stability required for the group to operate globally.

    Alan Vickery - Chief Information Officer, Fcc

    Alan Vickery, the Chief Information Officer, Fcc at FirstRand, architects the technological infrastructure supporting the group's financial crime compliance and regulatory reporting systems. Vickery manages the deployment of advanced data analytics and security protocols to protect the integrity of banking transactions across the global network. By overseeing the integration of complex software solutions, the Chief Information Officer, Fcc ensures that the organization meets stringent international standards for financial monitoring. Alan Vickery collaborates with risk management teams to automate compliance workflows, thereby increasing operational speed and accuracy. This leadership role involves modernizing legacy systems to support the evolving needs of the banking divisions. Through the implementation of robust digital frameworks, Vickery mitigates operational risks and enhances the reliability of the group's data management. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer, Fcc secures the technological backbone required for the company to operate safely within the global financial ecosystem.

    Michael Preston - Chief Information Officer, At Fnb Foreign Exchange

    Michael Preston, the Chief Information Officer, At Fnb Foreign Exchange at FirstRand, directs the digital transformation of foreign exchange platforms to facilitate seamless cross-border transactions. Preston manages the development of high-frequency trading systems and customer-facing interfaces that support the bank's international currency operations. By overseeing the technical architecture of the foreign exchange division, the Chief Information Officer, At Fnb Foreign Exchange ensures high availability and low latency for business-to-business and consumer clients. Michael Preston integrates real-time data feeds into the mobile application ecosystem, enhancing the user experience for global customers. This role involves coordinating with treasury and banking teams to align technical capabilities with market demands. Through the continuous optimization of trading algorithms and secure payment gateways, Preston drives efficiency in currency exchange services. Ultimately, the Chief Information Officer, At Fnb Foreign Exchange maintains the technological edge necessary for the company to lead in the competitive foreign exchange market.

    Nomsa Lewisa - Group Chief Information Officer, Human Capital Technology

    Nomsa Lewisa, the Group Chief Information Officer, Human Capital Technology at FirstRand, architects the digital systems that manage the workforce and employee benefits across the global organization. Lewisa oversees the implementation of human capital management software to streamline recruitment, payroll, and performance tracking for the group's diverse staff. By integrating advanced analytics into human resources processes, the Group Chief Information Officer, Human Capital Technology drives data-informed decision-making regarding talent development and organizational structure. Nomsa Lewisa collaborates with leadership to ensure that technology solutions support the company's mission of fostering a high-performance culture. This role involves maintaining secure and scalable platforms that handle sensitive employee data across multiple continents. Through the modernization of internal digital tools, Lewisa enhances operational efficiency and employee engagement. Ultimately, the Group Chief Information Officer, Human Capital Technology provides the essential infrastructure that empowers the workforce to deliver superior financial services.

    Hilda Nsibande - Chief of Staff & Group Chief, Firstrand Value Office

    Hilda Nsibande, the Chief of Staff & Group Chief, Firstrand Value Office at FirstRand, directs the strategic initiatives focused on maximizing organizational value and operational synergy. Nsibande manages the alignment of cross-divisional projects to ensure that all business units contribute effectively to the group's overarching financial goals. By overseeing the Value Office, the Chief of Staff & Group Chief, Firstrand Value Office identifies opportunities for cost optimization and revenue growth across the banking and insurance subsidiaries. Hilda Nsibande facilitates communication between the executive team and various departments to ensure the seamless execution of corporate strategy. This role involves monitoring key performance indicators to track the success of value-creation programs. Through the coordination of complex internal initiatives, Nsibande drives the company's ability to adapt to changing market conditions. Ultimately, the Chief of Staff & Group Chief, Firstrand Value Office ensures that the organization remains focused on delivering sustainable value to all stakeholders.

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    Frequently Asked Questions Regarding FirstRand Top Executives and Leadership Team

    Who leads FirstRand?
    FirstRand is led by Bydon Longwe (Chief Executive Officer), along with executives such as Markos Davias (Chief Financial Officer) and Jaco Van Wyk (Chief Financial Officer, Rmb).
    Who is part of FirstRand’s executive team?
    The executive team of FirstRand includes leaders such as Bydon Longwe (Chief Executive Officer), Markos Davias (Chief Financial Officer), Jaco Van Wyk (Chief Financial Officer, Rmb) and other senior executives.
    How many executives does FirstRand have?
    FirstRand has 10 executives leading key business areas.
    What roles are included in FirstRand’s leadership team?
    The leadership team of FirstRand includes roles such as Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Rmb, Chief of Staff. Office of the Chief Financial Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Broader Africa.