By Amin Kef Sesay
Ekundayo Walton Gilpin is indisputably a name that rings a bell in the corporate world more especially within the banking sector in Sierra Leone. Through sheer hardwork and the burning passion to serve humanity and contribute to nation building he has etched his name in the sands of time as a true patriot and an experienced Chief Executive Officer.
Just recently, to be specific, on Independence Day, 27th April 2021, when he was bestowed the country’s most prestigious award, ‘Commander of the Order of the Rokel’ (COR), the Managing Director of the Rokel Commercial Bank, Dr. Ekundayo Walton Gilpin, has again been recognised by the International Professional Managers Association in the UK as a member. On 7th May 2021, the international association issued a certificate to the MD and gave him the right to use the letters FPMA and be described as a certified International Professional Manager.
Dr. Gilpin is regarded as a seasoned and internationally recognized financial expert with over 30 years of experience managing complex policies and processes in banking and banking-related institutions in Africa, Europe, South Pacific, Caribbean, and USA.
Previously, he was an economist at the Bank of Sierra Leone, then an advisor to the Commonwealth Secretariat in the United Kingdom; where he served as an international civil servant, managing significant financial initiatives that formed the basis of effective and sustainable reform strategies in more than 38 countries.
In this capacity, he also helped strengthen the technical and management capacity of financial and banking sector professionals by emphasizing approaches and skillsets that bode well for institutional transformation and enduring change.
His goal-oriented philosophy has been a hallmark of his career and this has benefitted Sierra Leone in diverse ways in finance and banking, education, humanitarian work, religion and public sector support.
He has provided technical input into complex interactions with national and international players, such as the Bank of Sierra Leone, Ministry of Finance, International Monetary Fund, World Bank, Crown Agents, but to name a few. He has been instrumental in financial research analysis having worked in Research and International Financial Departments of reputable institutions. His capacity building skills were significantly useful in designing and implementing training modules in financial analysis for public sector officials in Government and private sector.
It could be recalled that this seasoned financial guru and result-oriented Managing Director has, since taking office as MD of the Rokel Commercial Bank, never ceased to bag awards and recognitions for both the bank and himself. His exemplary service and determination to forge a never to be forgotten and viable financial entity in the country, has contributed to the changing of the narrative of that institution.
Gilpin’s desire to ensure that his institution excel, had prompted him to embark on large scale reform in the bank, leading to a complete overhaul of the institution. This action has seen marked improvement in the fortunes of the bank, with result of unprecedented profit and the catapulting of the institution to position of excellence among its rivals.
The bank has been able to expand to hitherto unserved areas like Bonthe and Kailahun, thereby enhancing financial inclusion of citizens in the financial sector. RCB, under his watch has ensured that the less privileged are catered for, with the introduction of banking services to the Kekeh and Okada riders, inclusion of school kids and market women, as well as the recent incorporation of the digital revolution into its development trajectory.
Customers are now able to access their accounts with their mobile phones and do all sorts of transactions.
Whilst progress is being made on this front, Gilpin believes that Sierra Leone should not be left out in this revolution and that it should fully embrace a cashless society, where business could be transacted without physical use of cash, but rather with the use of one’s phone in the comfort of one’s living room or office.
His dream for financial inclusion resonates very well with President Bio’s vision of not being left out of the fourth revolution, the digital revolution. After various observations by both national and international players, Dr. Gilpin has become the recipient of laudable awards and recognitions both at home and abroad, as well as the uplifting of the profile of the bank.
He has made Sierra Leone proud and the name of the once defunct banking institution is now flying both nationally and internationally.
