The board of directors of the Standard Group has appointed Dr James Boyd McFie, Mr Lerionka Samuel Tiampati and Ms Zehrabanu Janmohamed as independent directors.

McFie is a distinguished accountant and scholar who is currently a senior lecturer at the Strathmore  University and a former director of the School of Accountancy, Strathmore College.   Janmohamed, who becomes the first woman to serve on the group's board, is a partner in the Nairobi law firm, Archer & Wilcock Advocates.

Tiampati is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Tea Development Agency (KTDA). He held a similar position at the Kenya Tea Packers (Ketepa), which he transformed into a profitable organisation, and sits on several KTDA-related boards.

The statement said the Group was honoured by the fact that the new directors accepted their new positions, adding that they had demonstrated their expertise and contribution in their respective fields.

Melly also announced the retirement of Mr Ben Chepkoit as an independent director of the Standard Group.

The rest of the directors remain Mr Paul Wanyagah (Group Chief Operating Officer), Mr Chris Kisire (Finance), Mr Paul Opiyo (Technical Services) and Mr Kwendo Opanga (Editorial). In a signed statement, Mr Paul Melly, the Deputy Chairman and Strategy Adviser, said the appointments underscored the Group's commitment to strengthening the board with multi-skilled directors.

On behalf of the board, Melly said the appointments were part of continuing measures within an overall strategic path that is aimed at consolidating the Group's management, operations and growth.

The board, Melly said, was further committed to ensuring good corporate governance and the new directors would, therefore, provide leadership for a number of key board committees.

Standard Newspaper