Charles Russon is Group Executive for Africa Regions at Absa Bank, a major financial services group based in South Africa, with banking presence in Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda and Zambia, and representative offices in Nigeria and Namibia.

Charles was the Interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Absa Group and has been a member of the Group Executive Committee for over a decade. He is a seasoned executive, with more than 30 years of banking experience and has worked in South Africa, Germany and the United Kingdom.

At Absa, Charles has served as Chief Executive of the pan-African Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB), where his leadership significantly strengthened the Group’s market presence and bolstered operational capabilities across the African continent. His earlier executive leadership positions included Chief Executive: Engineering Services, with a mandate over technology, data and security for the Absa Group, and in the roles of Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Risk Officer at various times for Barclays Africa, Absa CIB and Absa Capital.

Charles is a chartered accountant, CA(SA), registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants.