Bob Collymore is the CEO of Safaricom Limited, a position he’s held since November 1, 2010.
Prior to joining Safaricom he worked in senior executive positions in the UK, Japan, and South Africa.
Over the past 30 years, Bob has worked in marketing, purchasing, retail, governance and corporate affairs, gaining commercial experience from various roles in the telecommunications sector.
He serves on the Board of Acumen, the United Nations Global Compact Board and, as a member of the B-TEAM, a not-for-profit initiative formed by a global group of business leaders to catalyze a better way of doing business, for the wellbeing of people and the planet.
In addition, he also serves on the Kenya Vision 2030 board, is a Founder Trustee in the National Road Safety Trust, Chairman of the TEAMS Board, and recently served on a UN Commission on life-saving commodities for women and children.
Areas of Expertise
Telecommunications, management, strategy and product development, marketing, mobile communications and corporate governance.
What have been the main lessons you have learned in your career and how do you implement them in your management?
I’m often asked how I managed to get where I am today without a university degree, and while I advise young people to get the best tertiary education that they can, I also ask them to learn how to adapt to different situations.
Start small, build on what you have, be the best you can be, and work your networks to propel your career forward.
I’ve learned that if you really want something you can get it, and that your integrity is much more valuable than any proceeds acquired from corruption.
