James Mworia, Group Chief Executive Officer, Centum Investment Company

Dr. James Mworia Mwirigi is the Group Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Centum Investment Company PLC (Centum), a position he has held since December 1, 2008. Centum is the largest listed investment company in East Africa, with an asset base of approximately Kshs 57 Billion (USD 535mm) up from Kshs 6 Billion (USD 60mm) at the time when James took over the leadership of the organization. Centum’s focus is to offer investors access to otherwise inaccessible investment grade opportunities across key sectors of the economy, including real estate, power, financial services, agribusiness, manufacturing, and education.

During James’ tenure as CEO of Centum total assets have increased almost 10-fold and he has conceived and initiated the establishment of many significant enterprises which include; Two Rivers, Vipingo Development, Pearl Marina in Uganda, Almasi Beverages, Nabo Capital and Greenblade Growers amongst many others.

James is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a CFA Charter Holder, a Chartered Global Management Accountant, a Fellow of the Kenyan Institute of Management and a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya. He holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from the University of Nairobi. He is also a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader, and an Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellow. James is the recipient of a Doctorate Degree in Business (Honoris Causa) from Machakos University.

 In October 2016 James was appointed by H.E. the President as the first Chancellor of Machakos University. James has since his appointment established The Machakos University Chancellors Scholarship Fund which has offered over 80 full scholarships to deserving and needy students who are in the Schools of Mathematics, Engineering and Pure Sciences.

James has received numerous awards in his career. The awards include the East Africa Business Leader of Year 2015 at the All Africa Business Leaders Awards in Nairobi, the Corporate Council for Africa, Africa Business Leader of the Year 2014 which was presented in Washington DC, the Africa Young Business Leader of the Year 2011 at the Africa Business Leaders Awards in Johannesburg, the Champion of Governance CEO of the Year Award presented by the Institute of Certified Public Secretaries in 2015, amongst many other awards.

James is passionate about leadership and entrepreneurship and is a mentor to many emerging business leaders and entrepreneurs.