Quest Merchant Bank appoints new executive director

Quest Merchant Bank has announced the appointment of Andrew Lewis, popularly known as Ayo Lewis, as its new Executive Director of Risk Management and Executive Compliance Officer.

The appointment, which has received formal regulatory approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria, marks a significant step in the bank’s efforts to bolster its institutional resilience amid an evolving financial landscape.

According to the bank’s statement on Wednesday, Lewis joins Quest Merchant Bank following a distinguished tenure at Sterling Financial Holdings Company, where he served as Group Chief Risk Officer. With over 33 years of cross-functional experience, he is expected to lead the bank’s integrated risk management frameworks and optimise its enterprise-wide risk portfolios.

Commenting on the strategic importance of the appointment, the Acting Managing Director and CEO of Quest Merchant Bank, Afolabi Olorode, emphasised the bank’s commitment to high-level corporate governance: “Ayo’s appointment reflects our deliberate and disciplined approach to building a strong, forward‑looking institution anchored on robust governance and sound risk practices. His depth of experience and proven leadership will be instrumental as we continue to execute our strategy.”

The bank noted that Lewis’s background is uniquely balanced, featuring more than two decades in market-facing roles across consumer, commercial, and corporate banking. This blend of frontline experience and senior risk leadership is seen as an asset for the bank as it seeks to scale operations without compromising regulatory excellence.

Addressing the long-term impact of the new leadership, Olorode further noted that the addition to the executive team would be pivotal for stakeholder confidence: “His expertise will be instrumental as we continue to execute our strategy and deliver long-term value to our clients and stakeholders.”

In his new capacity, Lewis will be responsible for driving operational efficiency and reinforcing a risk culture aligned with the bank’s sustainable growth agenda. He holds a degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos and is an alumnus of several prestigious global institutions, including Stanford University and The Wharton School.

The move comes at a time when Nigerian merchant banks are increasingly prioritising risk management and compliance to navigate macroeconomic shifts and meet the rigorous oversight standards set by the apex bank.