Our exciting MBA Guest Lecture Series continues this Friday, 10 March 2023, covering the important topics of diversity and inclusion with a focus on women in leadership. This free hybrid event will run from 12.30 until 14.00 (GMT) on Zoom and in-person in the MBA Suite in Sibson, and will include no less than four esteemed guest speakers on our panel, the fourth being Olaitan Martins, Group Executive in charge of transaction banking at FirstBank of Nigeria.
Olaitan has over 20 years of banking experience in relationship management, risk management, business development, trade finance, investment banking, treasury, transaction banking and foreign exchange management. She has, over the years, originated and structured various corporate finance, financial advisory, capital markets, leverage and acquisition mandates in the fast-moving commodities space, for the bank and its investment bank subsidiary.
A visible leader in both the bank and the industry, Olaitan is a pioneer of change who uses her leadership skills to act as a mentor, sponsor and advocate, helping women advance in their careers both within the FirstBank Group and the banking industry. She is the Chair of the FirstBank Women Network, where she lends her voice to encourage women’s workplace representation, mainly based on merit. She also coaches and mentors young people in taking up new challenges that are relevant to advancing their careers.
Olaitan leads by example and continuously inspires her colleagues and team members to develop themselves both professionally and academically for growth. Her energy and resilience are contagious and she successfully delivers excellence in any engagement. She continuously strives to drive positive change in her environment, actively promotes an innovation mindset, and pushes her colleagues to learn how to leverage new tools in the ever-changing technological landscape.
Olaitan Martins is both an inspiration to all around and a great asset to the FirstBank family. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting from the University of Lagos and a Master’s in Business Administration (MBA) from Manchester Business School. She is a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, a Member of Institute of Directors and is also finalising a Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) at the University of Durham.
This is a free event and is open to all University of Kent MBA students, alumni and the wider business community. Register your place today.
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.