CHAMWE KAIRA
Outgoing Bank Windhoek Managing Director Baronice Hans will work closely with newly appointed MD James Chapman until 30 June to ensure a smooth leadership transition, the Capricorn Group board has confirmed.
Chapman is set to officially take over as managing director on 1 July 2025.
In September, it was announced that Hans would complete her tenure as managing director at the end of June 2025.
The bank initiated a comprehensive talent search to identify a suitable successor, culminating in the appointment of Chapman.
“The appointment was made in accordance with the policy dealing with the nomination of directors of Bank Windhoek. Regulatory approval for the appointment has been obtained. He will work closely with Hans until 30 June 2025 to ensure a smooth transition of leadership and handover of responsibilities for when he takes over as Managing Director on 1 July 2025,” the board said.
Chapman has been part of Capricorn Group and Bank Windhoek for the past 11 years and has served in various executive roles.
For the past four years he has served as the bank’s executive officer for retail banking services and specialist finance, the largest customer-facing business unit in the bank.
He also served as chief financial officer of Bank Windhoek for the four years preceding his tenure in retail banking services.
A chartered accountant by profession, he holds a bachelor’s degree and a postgraduate diploma in accounting from the University of Stellenbosch.
“On behalf of the board, management and staff of Bank Windhoek and the entire Capricorn Group, the board would like to congratulate James Chapman on his appointment as the managing director designate of Bank Windhoek. The board is confident that he will add tremendous value and build on the success of Bank Windhoek achieved under the leadership of Baronice Hans and her predecessors.”
With his strong leadership and business acumen, a solid foundation in both banking and financial management disciplines and a strong track record of delivering growth and implementing change, the board is confident that James will lead Bank Windhoek successfully into the future,” the board said.
Hans was the bank’s first female and longest-serving MD in its 42-year history. Hans, who has led the bank since July 2016, has been praised for steering the institution through economic challenges, including the Covid-19 pandemic.
Under Hans’ stewardship, Bank Windhoek saw a 45% increase in loans and advances, a 60% increase in total funding, and a 63% increase in profit after tax.
The bank also achieved a commendable 8.5% compound annual growth rate in profit after tax over the last eight years, excluding the pandemic period.
Hans’ other key achievements, including the launch of Southern Africa’s first green bond and sustainability bond leading the bank’s digital transformation, introducing services such as Easy Wallet, E-Commerce, and integrated point-of-sale transacting systems,
