Mrs. Vivian C. Richard-Edet stands as a beacon of excellence in the financial services sector, now lending her formidable expertise to the Nigerian Ports Authority as its Executive Director of Finance and Administration.
With a distinguished career spanning over two decades, she has cultivated a multifaceted skill set encompassing Retail, SME, Commercial, and Corporate Banking, as well as Trade Finance, Credit and Financial Analysis, and Product Development. Her journey is a testament to unwavering dedication and strategic foresight, built on pivotal roles at prestigious institutions like Standard Trust Bank/UBA Plc and Skye Bank Plc/Polaris Bank.
Her leadership was particularly critical at Polaris Bank, where she adeptly navigated challenging phases of management and ownership transitions.
As a Senior Manager, she was instrumental in steering the institution toward stability and profitability. Overseeing a vast portfolio of 17 branches and a team of 172 individuals, she not only enhanced operational efficiency but also orchestrated significant growth, contributing to a robust balance sheet that surpassed N150 billion.
Her ability to inspire her team to consistently exceed expectations solidified her reputation as an exceptional leader.
Mrs. Richard-Edet’s strategic acumen extends beyond daily operations, evidenced by her instrumental role in various transformational and strategic committees. A key highlight was her contribution to Polaris Bank’s digital transformation, which gave rise to the groundbreaking VULTe platform. This initiative’s success was underscored by three consecutive victories as the ‘Best Digital Bank of the Year’ at the BusinessDay’s Banks and Other Financial Institutions (BAFI) Awards.
Her professional journey has been marked by numerous accolades, including the ‘Most Profitable Branch of the Year’ at the Annual Skye Bank Awards. In a remarkable display of her team’s collective effort under her leadership, they achieved over 200% of the branch’s Profit Before Tax (PBT) budget for 2016, a feat that stands as a testament to her impactful leadership and guidance.
Beyond her professional achievements, Mrs. Richard-Edet is a graduate of Mathematics and Statistics from the University of Lagos and holds an MBA in Banking and Sales Management from the National Institute of Business Management, India. She has also completed advanced programs at the Lagos Business School and the Imperial College Business School, demonstrating her commitment to continuous learning.
Known for her outstanding communication and people management skills, she has a knack for earning the trust and confidence of colleagues and stakeholders. In her personal life, she is happily married with children and finds joy in cooking and sharing a love for the Arts, Music, and Nature with her husband. She is also a passionate advocate for empowerment through education, actively supporting causes that share this vision.