Board & Leadership

A team of senior financial architects, investment strategists, and governance experts — united by a shared commitment to driving Africa's institutional transformation and integration into global capital markets.

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Laurent Bien Legbane — Chairman
Laurent Bien Legbane, PhD
Chairman — CHARTERED & CFBANQUE

Laurent Bien Legbane, PhD

PhD — Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne MBA — HEC Montréal MSc Finance — ESSEC Douala Fin. Engineering — American University

Laurent Bien Legbane is an international financial executive specialising in structured finance, strategic advisory, and cross-border capital mobilisation in support of economic development and investment growth across emerging markets.

As Chairman of Chartered Financial Investment, he oversees the development and execution of strategic initiatives related to capital mobilisation, corporate finance, and cross-border transactions. As Global Chairman of CFBANQUE INVESTMENT, he defines the institution's long-term vision, drives its international expansion, and ensures alignment with global financial standards.

Prior to founding his institutions, he served as Vice President, Emerging Markets Investments at Goldman Sachs, structuring investment opportunities across high-growth markets, and as Associate Director — Risk, Francophone Region at McKinsey & Company, advising on risk management, organisational transformation, and institutional development.

Leadership Vision

Establishment of robust governance frameworks and accountability standards

Advanced financial engineering tailored to emerging market dynamics

Commitment to transparency and alignment with international standards

Sustainable investment strategies designed to generate long-term economic impact

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Chersty Mabiala Bitsindou

Chersty Mabiala Bitsindou is an accomplished executive with over ten years of experience in leadership, governance, and strategic development across commercial, marketing, and communications functions.

Throughout her career, she has built a strong track record in driving organisational growth, brand positioning, and stakeholder engagement within dynamic and evolving environments. She has held senior roles overseeing cross-functional teams, developing market expansion strategies, and strengthening corporate visibility at both regional and international levels.

As Executive President of Chartered Financial Investment, she provides strategic leadership and institutional direction, ensuring alignment between the company's long-term vision and its operational execution. Her role focuses on governance, strategic positioning, and the development of high-level partnerships, working closely with the Group's leadership and international stakeholders.

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Governance
Strategy
Chersty Mabiala Bitsindou — Executive President
Executive President
Chersty Mabiala Bitsindou
Chartered Financial Investment

Vice-Presidents & Senior Leadership

Bringing together decades of experience in investment banking, capital markets, infrastructure finance, risk management, and international development.

Dr Michael A. Whitmore
VP, Investment Strategy
Dr Michael A. Whitmore
Vice-President, Investment Strategy

An experienced investment strategist with over 25 years gained across investment banks, asset management firms and strategic advisory institutions in London and New York. Specialising in Africa-focused infrastructure funds and cross-border investment structures.

Dr Whitmore began his career as a quantitative analyst before transitioning into investment advisory roles, supporting sovereign wealth funds, family offices, and public institutions in designing asset allocation strategies across emerging markets. He has led the structuring of complex investment vehicles, including Africa-focused infrastructure funds and hybrid instruments combining debt and equity.

He has also advised several African governments on financing strategies for large-scale development projects in energy, agriculture and infrastructure.

Investment Strategy Infrastructure Funds Emerging Markets PhD — International Finance
Vice president Amina
VP, Risk & Governance
Ms Amina El Mansouri
Vice-President, Risk & Governance

A seasoned expert in banking governance, regulatory compliance, and risk management with over 20 years across European and African financial institutions. She has led internal audit, compliance, and enterprise risk management at senior level.

She has overseen the implementation of control frameworks aligned with international standards including Basel III, AML/CFT regulations, and prudential supervisory requirements. She has also contributed to institutional transformation programmes, supporting the establishment of governance structures, risk committees, and internal policies within growing financial institutions across multiple jurisdictions.

Basel III AML/CFT Internal Audit Risk Governance
Mr David K. Mensah
VP, Corporate Finance
Mr David K. Mensah
Vice-President, Corporate Finance & Advisory

An experienced investment banker specialising in M&A, capital raising, and strategic financial advisory with over 20 years advising industrial groups, financial institutions, fintech companies, and investment funds on complex cross-border transactions.

He possesses a deep understanding of African economic dynamics and investor expectations, enabling him to structure transactions that effectively bridge local market realities with international standards. Educated across West Africa, Europe and the United States, Mr Mensah combines strong analytical capabilities with advanced negotiation skills and a nuanced understanding of regulatory environments.

Mergers & Acquisitions Capital Raising Cross-Border Transactions Africa Markets
Ms Sofia Alvarez
VP, Capital Markets
Ms Sofia Alvarez
Vice-President, Capital Markets

A capital markets specialist with over 20 years of experience in structuring and executing financial transactions across international markets. She has advised multiple sovereign and corporate issuers on accessing international capital markets and structuring financial instruments.

She began her career within leading European investment banks, developing expertise in bond issuances, private placements, and initial public offerings. She later held senior roles overseeing transactions for corporates, financial institutions, and sovereign issuers. Her expertise spans sovereign debt, corporate debt, structured products, and funding diversification strategies.

Eurobonds IPOs Sovereign Debt Structured Products
Ms Catherine Beaumont
VP, Infrastructure Finance
Ms Catherine Beaumont
Vice-President, Infrastructure & Project Finance

A project finance specialist with over 18 years of experience structuring infrastructure projects across Africa. She has worked extensively on large-scale energy, transport, and urban development projects with international financial and development institutions.

Her expertise includes financial structuring, concession negotiations, and the implementation of public-private partnerships (PPPs). She has played a key role in mobilising funding from international lenders for high-impact infrastructure developments. Recognised for her ability to navigate complex regulatory and institutional environments, she brings a pragmatic and execution-focused approach to project delivery.

Project Finance PPP Advisory Energy & Transport DFI Coordination
Ms Leila Haddad
VP, Strategic Partnerships
Ms Leila Haddad
Vice-President, Strategic Partnerships & International Development

An international development and strategic partnerships expert with a career spanning Europe, the Middle East and North Africa. She connects African investment opportunities with global capital through institutional relationship building and cross-border investment structuring.

She has held senior roles within financial institutions and advisory firms, supporting the establishment of partnerships between international investors, public sector entities, and private organisations. She has significant experience in capital mobilisation, institutional relationship building, and the structuring of cross-border investment initiatives across energy, infrastructure, and financial services.

Strategic Partnerships MENA Capital Mobilisation Africa-Europe Bridge

Jonathan R. Kensington

A senior investment banking executive with over three decades of experience structuring, negotiating, and executing complex financial transactions across both developed and emerging markets. He began his career in London within a leading investment bank, specialising early in structured finance and high-level balance sheet operations.

Over the years, he has held executive positions across several international financial institutions, leading multidisciplinary teams on transactions ranging from capital raising and corporate and sovereign debt restructurings to large-scale infrastructure financing.

He has overseen and executed multi-billion-dollar transactions in energy, transportation and telecommunications, working closely with governments, multilateral institutions, and institutional investors. He has also played a pivotal role in establishing investment platforms focused on African markets.

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Structured Finance Sovereign Debt Restructuring Infrastructure Financing African Investment Platforms
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Jonathan R. Kensington — Managing Director
Managing
Director

Engage Africa's Leading Financial Architects

Our board and executive team are available to engage on strategic mandates, capital market transactions, governance advisory, and institutional transformation programmes across Africa.