Board of Directors
Biodun ADEDIPE, Ph.D., FCIB, F.IoD
CHAIRMAN
With over four decades of post-graduate work and professional experience that cuts across university teaching, investment banking, project finance, management and financial consulting as well as leadership in business and not-for-profit organizations.
He received his Doctorate degree in Industrial Economics (specializing in Corporate Finance) from the University of Lagos in 1989 and B.Sc. in Economics (First Class) from the University of Ife (now, Obafemi Awolowo University, OAU) in 1980, and bagged several awards in the process, including Sir Adam Thomson scholarship as visiting doctoral student to the University of Sussex, UK (1984). He is a member of several respected professional bodies, including the Institute of Directors, Nigeria, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria, The Nigeria Economic Society and American Economic Association.
He has served in various capacities in government, including as Senior Special Assistant to the President (Financial Sector Development) in 2011.
Akin’ O. ADENIYI, CIPM
DIRECTOR
Akin’ is Chief Relationship Officer at KingsThrones Limited, a registered independent investment advisory firm he founded in 2006 currently providing investment Consulting, and GIPS Consulting & Verification services.
He is also the immediate past President & Chairman of Council, Association of Corporate & Individual Investment Advisers of Nigeria (CIIA) – the SEC registered trade group for investment advisers.
With over thirty (30) years’ experience in financial services cutting across Insurance, Commercial Banking, Stockbroking, Trust & Pension Management, Investment Banking & Asset Management, Akin’ holds a first degree in Actuarial Science from the University of Lagos, Nigeria, and the Certificate in Investment Performance Measurement (CIPM) from CFA Institute, Charlottesville, VA, USA. He is also an alumnus of the Advanced Management Programme of the Lagos Business School.
In promoting investment education, Akin’ also teaches regularly at The School of Wealth Management, the education arm of KingsThrones Limited, where various subjects in finance and investment are taught all year round.
Olufunke AIYEPOLA, MBA
DIRECTOR
Olufunke has about thirty (35) years of Banking/Trusteeship experience, having worked in the Legal Department of Union Bank of Nigeria Plc and as Head of Trust services, Union Trustees Ltd before she was appointed as the Managing Director/Chief Executive Union Trustees (now UTL Trust Management Services Ltd) in February 2010.
A 1986 Law Graduate of the University of Ife (now Obafemi Awolowo University), she also holds an MBA from the Pan African University Lagos. In 2019, Olufunke led the UTL Team to launch the multiple award- winning online Will Writing Platform-Willpower.
She was a Director of UBN Insurance Brokers Limited, Financial Secretary of the Association of Corporate Trustees and the Chairperson of the Reporting Requirements Committee for the drafting of the Pension Reform Act; and is a Council Member of the Association of Investment Advisers and Portfolio Managers as well as the Nigerian British Chamber of Commerce.
Ore SOFEKUN, Ph.D., MBA
DIRECTOR
Dr. Ore Sofekun has over 25 years’ experience spanning: Funds Management, Venture Capital, Investment Banking, Management Consulting and Manufacturing Sectors.
She is versed in fund management, finance & accounting, business analysis & process improvement, project management, and operational & financial risk assessment. She holds BSc., MS, and Ph.D. degrees in Chemical Engineering from the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife & Iowa State University and an MBA from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania.
She is CEO of Foothold Advisors Limited where she provides business and financial consulting services to Firms. She was the pioneer Managing Director for Investment One Vencap and pioneer Chief Operating Officer of CardinalStone Partners.
Ore is a past President of the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and while serving on Ministry of Finance, CBN & SEC-mandated committees, she interacted with colleagues from across the Nigerian Capital Market and MDAs. She is a Fellow, Institute of Credit Administration, and a member, Institute of Strategic Management.