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# Absa Group Appoints Kenny Fihla as Group CEO, Effective June 2025
- URL: https://www.theglobalbanker.com/absa-group-appoints-kenny-fihla-group-ceo-june-2025/
- Published: 2025-03-17T17:42:00.000Z
- Updated: 2026-10-02T13:49:01.000Z
- Description: Absa Group has named Kenny Fihla, currently deputy CEO of Standard Bank Group, as its new Group CEO, with the appointment effective 17 June 2025, subject to regulatory approval.
- Author: TGB Editorial Team
- Tags: Executive Moves, Africa, #archive

Absa Group announced on 17 March 2025 that Kenny Fihla has been appointed as the banking group's new Group Chief Executive Officer, with the appointment taking effect on 17 June 2025, subject to the granting of regulatory approval by the relevant South African authorities. Fihla joins Absa from Standard Bank Group, where he has served as deputy chief executive and as chief executive of Standard Bank South Africa, having joined the group in 2006.

Fihla succeeds interim Group CEO Charles Russon, who has led Absa since Arrie Rautenbach agreed in August 2024 to take early retirement. 

#### SUCCESSION AT THE TOP OF ABSA

The appointment is subject to approval from the Prudential Authority, South Africa's banking regulator. 

Interim CEO Charles Russon will remain in post until the transition date. 

#### 2024 RESULTS

Fihla will inherit a business that closed 2024 with improved headline earnings of R22.1 billion and a recovering credit loss ratio.