Bios
Our delegation in Davos
Being an African voice in Davos is a significant milestone in our quest as Africans to reshape the fortunes of our continent. Our delegation looks forward to meeting you.
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Wendy Lucas-Bull
Chairman
Wendy is the Chairman of Absa Group, a position which she has held since April 2013. She is also a founding member of Peotona Group Holdings, a women’s investment and development group.
She has over 35 years of senior executive experience in the Financial Services industry. Her last executive role was Chief Executive Officer of FirstRand Retail, which included First National Bank, WesBank, Outsurance and Firstlink.
Her former Non-Executive Directorships include those at Barclays PLC, Nedbank, Anglo American Platinum, Development Bank of Southern Africa, Dimension Data PLC, Alexander Forbes, Aveng (Deputy Chairman), Lafarge Industries South Africa (Chairman), Eskom, Rand Merchant Bank Holdings, Momentum Group, Discovery Holdings, Telkom South Africa and the South African Financial Markets Advisory Board.
Wendy served as a member of the President’s Advisory Council on Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment from 2011 to 2014.
Maria Ramos
Chief Executive Officer
Maria is the Chief Executive Officer of Absa Group, a position she has held since 2009.
Before joining Absa, Maria was the Group Chief Executive of Transnet (South Africa’s state-owned freight transport and logistics service provider) and a Director-General of South Africa’s National Treasury for seven years.
Maria currently serves on the Board of Richemont SA and the Executive Committee of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, the Board of Business Unity South Africa and the Global Board of Advisers, Council on Foreign Relations (US). She is also a member of the Group of Thirty.
Peter Matlare
Deputy Chief Executive Officer
Peter is the Deputy Chief Executive Officer of Absa Group, and is responsible for the Absa Regional Operations business. He has held this position since 2016.
Prior to joining Absa, he was the Chief Executive Officer of the South African Broadcasting Corporation, Chief Strategy and Business Development Officer of Vodacom South Africa and Executive Director of Commercial at Vodacom South Africa. Before joining Absa, Peter was the Chief Executive Officer of Tiger Brands, the largest food manufacturer in Africa.
