UBA Group Appoints Loknath Mishra as Chief Executive Officer of UBA UK

Africa’s Global Bank, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, has announced the appointment of Loknath Mishra as the new Chief Executive Officer of UBA UK, effective February 2, 2026, in a move that further strengthens the Group’s international leadership and global banking ambitions.

The appointment marks a significant milestone in UBA Group’s strategy to deepen its international presence and reinforce its position as a critical financial conduit between Africa and the rest of the world, particularly across Europe and key global financial markets.

As CEO of UBA UK, Mishra will lead efforts to position the bank’s UK subsidiary as a centre of excellence for regulatory compliance, governance, and customer service, while enhancing financial resilience through diversified liquidity and income streams. He will also spearhead initiatives to further strengthen UBA’s leadership in trade finance, transaction banking, and correspondent banking, supporting seamless business flows into and out of Africa.

Mishra brings with him several decades of extensive international banking experience, spanning retail, corporate, investment, and transaction banking. He is widely respected for building and leading regulated banking institutions across the United Kingdom and Europe, with a strong reputation for operational excellence, regulatory credibility, and strategic growth.

Prior to joining UBA UK, Mishra served as Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of ICICI Bank UK, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the bank’s footprint across the UK and European markets. During his tenure, he significantly strengthened governance structures, enhanced regulatory engagement, and improved operational resilience, positioning the institution for sustained growth in a highly regulated environment.

Earlier in his career, Mishra held several senior leadership positions at ICICI Bank Limited, including Group Head of Wholesale Banking and Global Head of Transaction Banking. In these roles, he was instrumental in expanding the bank’s global wholesale franchise, strengthening enterprise-wide risk management frameworks, and driving customer-focused transformation initiatives across corporate, institutional, and financial institution segments worldwide.

Mishra is also widely recognised for his leadership in navigating complex regulatory landscapes and for championing digital innovation across trade finance, cash management, and retail banking. In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the financial services industry, he was conferred with the prestigious Freedom of the City of London, an honour reserved for individuals who have made significant impact within the City’s financial ecosystem.

Commenting on the appointment, UBA Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Oliver Alawuba, said the decision reflects the Group’s deliberate focus on strengthening its international subsidiaries with proven global leaders.

“Loknath brings an exceptional combination of global banking experience, regulatory credibility, and deep expertise in wholesale and transaction banking. His leadership will be instrumental in advancing UBA UK’s role as a flagship subsidiary for the Group and in strengthening our capacity to support trade and investment flows between Africa and international markets.”

Alawuba further noted that the appointment underscores UBA Group’s continued investment in building a world-class international banking franchise that supports Africa’s economic integration and competitiveness within the global economy.

In his response, Mishra expressed appreciation for the confidence placed in him by UBA Group, describing the appointment as both an honour and an opportunity to contribute meaningfully to Africa’s global financial connectivity.

“I am honoured to join UBA at a time of significant opportunity for the Group. UBA’s unique role in connecting Africa to global markets is both compelling and strategically important. I look forward to working closely with colleagues across the Group to strengthen UBA UK’s platform and to support clients in unlocking sustainable growth across Africa and beyond.”

UBA UK remains a critical pillar within UBA Group’s international network, providing banking solutions to African corporates, financial institutions, sovereigns, and global partners. The subsidiary plays a key role in facilitating cross-border trade, correspondent banking relationships, transaction banking, and treasury services, supporting economic activity between Africa, Europe, and other global markets.

With Mishra’s appointment, UBA UK is well positioned to deepen its market relevance, enhance service delivery, and reinforce UBA Group’s mission of driving inclusive growth and global financial integration for Africa.