Ayokunle Owoniyi

Ayokunle Owoniyi is a seasoned finance and strategy executive with over 15 years of experience leading business transformation, profitability improvement, and operational excellence across Africa, the Middle East, and Eastern Europe. He is known for combining strategic clarity with hands-on execution, strengthening governance and controls, and mobilising cross-functional teams to deliver measurable results in complex environments. He has led senior leadership teams through major transitions while maintaining operational continuity, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder confidence. His impact includes restoring businesses to positive free operating cash flow through disciplined cost and working capital management, delivering significant operating profit growth in challenging macroeconomic conditions, and embedding resilient performance management systems. He has also led large-scale efficiency programmes across multiple operating units, applying Lean and Six Sigma methods to unlock cost savings and improve execution. A strong people leader, Ayokunle has improved employee engagement beyond regional and global benchmarks, achieved full talent retention, and strengthened local capability while reducing reliance on expatriate roles. He has also contributed to commercial momentum through stronger customer experience, lifting net promoter score to above 70 from low double digits, and supporting inclusive leadership outcomes recognised at regional and global levels. He holds advanced professional finance qualifications and remains passionate about strategic financial analysis and high-impact delivery. Outside work, he enjoys football, movies, and time by the sea.