CEO of Hollard Ghana narrates how she left Lincoln School

The Group Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Hollard Ghana, Patience Akyianu has disclosed that it was a heartbreaking moment for her former boss when she decided to move on in her career.
The insurer who started off as a Finance Manager at the Lincoln International School noted that she had to leave her work at the school because she could not see herself growing in that position.
Patience Akyianu made this known in an interview on Y 107.9 FM with Rev Erskine, host of the ‘Myd Morning Radio Show’.
The astute banker and insurer who was also the first black person to hold the position of Finance Manager at the school noted that the work at the school was difficult but that did not demotivate her.
“My contract with the school was a renewable one and I did the work of four (4) people but that did not worry me. When it was time for my contract to be renewed, I declined because I could not see progress and growth for myself.”
The ever diligent woman mentioned that for her outstanding performance at the school, she was awarded a certificate of excellence and regardless of her boss trying to woo her to stay longer she left anyways.
“I broke my boss’ heart by leaving the school. He wanted to extol my position to that of a Finance Director but I said no, even though I didn’t have a new job waiting for me; I was sure I would get a job.”
She revealed that she took a leap of faith in that period of her life and till now is surprised at how she takes risks when her job specification advises otherwise. “Strangely, I am a risk taker when as an accountant I don’t need to take risks. I didn’t see the future then, but I still did not renew my contract with the school.’
On her arrival home, she met her mother-in-law who was with them at the time to help take care of her (Patience’s) newborn and informed her about her resignation. “My mother-in-law told me I shouldn’t have resigned.”
On her account, a friend who worked at Standard Chartered Bank and had heard of her decision to quit her job called her a few weeks later when there was an opening at the bank.
“A few weeks later a friend at Standard Chartered called me to come and put my application through at the bank as the Finance Manager at the bank. The interview was successful and that was how I ended up at Standard Chartered bank”.
Prior to joining Hollard Ghana Holdings as the Group CEO, she was the Managing Director of Barclays Bank Ghana. She also held the position of Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Standard Chartered Bank, South Africa and was based in Johannesburg. She had previously worked in Standard Chartered Bank, Ghana in senior roles in both Finance and Corporate Banking departments.
She has over 23 years in-depth experience in Banking and Finance having spent the recent 15 years in the banking industry.
By: Joel Sanco