THE interview with Bank Windhoek managing director designate, Baronice Hans on Monday this week took place exactly a week after her appointment.
Hans was quick to point this out as we settled for an interview at the offices of Bank Windhoek in central Windhoek, explaining that she was still settling into her new job.
On a question of whether her mandate includes transforming the composition of the executive of the bank, Hans said she wants to see a unified team as her first priority. “I celebrate diversity.”
“The bank has a good and proven track record and has over a number of years consistently delivered solid results. My mandate is that as a team we take the bank into an even brighter future. This future includes everyone and I firmly believe that our strength lies in unity in diversity in our team,” she said.
In 2014, Employment Equity commissioner, Vilbard Usiku said Bank Windhoek had a problem where its workforce profile was skewed in favour of whites over blacks.
Talking about why she took the challenge to head the country’s second biggest bank after FNB Namibia, Hans who was previously executive director and head of personal and business banking at Standard Banking said Bank Windhoek has a record of growth.
“That is the foundation I am building on. This is an excellent career growth opportunity and in addition I am ready for a new challenge.”
The highly regarded Hans was once seen as a potential successor to former Standard Bank Namibia MD, South African Mpumzi Pupuma. Junius Mungunda was eventually appointed to replace Pupuma.
“I had a good time at Standard Bank,” she said when asked about any hard feelings at Standard Bank.
She added that her new challenge was always going to be in Namibia. “My roots are firmly in Namibia,” said Hans a chartered accountant by profession, who graduated from the University of South Africa with an Honours Degree in Accounting Science.
She has also served on a number of boards in telecommunications, power distribution, non-bank financial regulation, life assurance, asset management and fishing and marine resources.
Talking about leading Bank Windhoek to be the biggest bank in the country in future, Hans said the bank will not try to chase short-term profits. “It is never a great idea.”
She said Bank Windhoek’s plans are long-term and it will not pursue short-term market share.
“The Namibian banking sector is a very competitive and sometimes unpredictable environment and I believe the focus should be to grow the bank responsibly and in a sustainable manner to ensure better rewards for all our stakeholders,” she said.
Research done last year by PSG Namibia listed FNB Namibia as the leading commercial bank in Namibia. Bank Windhoek was listed in second position with Standard Bank and NedBank following them.
“Our approach is to anticipate and respond to challenges proactively while unlocking and realising opportunities that present themselves even in these challenging times. What is most important is that we remain relevant and tuned in to the needs of our clients and deliver on these.
This is where growth comes from and this is what attracts new clients,” Hans said on Bank Windhoek’s future growth.
Hans is also the reigning Economist Businesswoman of the Year. She sees similarities between being MD of Bank Windhoek and duties of the Businesswoman of the Year.
“The bank also wants women to be motivated and inspired. It is a meeting of minds.”
When asked about her social life, the married mother of two girls and a boy described herself as ‘a bit of a nerd.’
“My hobbies include the study of ancient civilizations, reading, listening to gospel music and middle distance running.
Her 2016 bucket list includes running in the 2016 Two Oceans Marathon in Cape Town.
With her children being very ‘opinionated’ in her own words, her participation in the marathon may be a subject of a lively discussion in the Hans’ household.
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