Kenny Fihla has been appointed as chief executive officer and executive director of Absa Group and Absa Bank. His appointment is effective from 17 June, subject to regulatory approval.
Kenny joins Absa after stepping down from his role at Standard Bank after 18 years. The former deputy CEO of Standard Bank Group has held various senior positions at the bank including CEO of CIB, and chief executive officer for Standard Bank South Africa.
“I’m fascinated with how every business can do things slightly better,” he told CFO South Africa in an interview when he was appointed as CEO of CIB. “I have no doubt that whoever inherits a business from me, they will always find things they can do differently and improve.”
Kenny was born in Johannesburg and grew up in the Free State and the Eastern Cape before returning to the town of his birth.
His interest in finance came about more by chance, as he actually studied mechanical engineering. After the 1994 elections, Kenny returned to South Africa from Zimbabwe, where he had studied, and joined the public sector by taking up a position at the City of Johannesburg. Although he was initially responsible for infrastructure, Kenny says his responsibilities forced him into the finance arena.
He also holds an MSc in financial economics from the University of London and an MBA from the University of the Witwatersrand.
Kenny’s appointment will come into effect on 17 June 2025, subject to regulatory approval. Charles Russon will remain interim CEO at Absa until 16 June 2025. Charles took over from former Absa CEO Arrie Rautenbach, who entered into early retirement.
