The Diamond Trust Bank CDIO says no two days in his role are the same and agility is the greatest learning from his childhood.
Jimmie Mwangi, CDIO at Diamond Trust Bank, says that his journey into IT has been one of intentional drive and focus. “I developed an interest in technology at an early age. I started by fixing my dad’s radio and TV sets, before becoming known for repairing digital watches when still in primary school. After high school, I made some good money assembling amplifiers, which I mostly sold to Matatus, Nairobi’s popular public transport buses.”
Fascinated by how technology could solve real-world problems, he pursued a degree in information technology, where he specialised in business informatics, and later completed a master’s in information systems at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg.
“During my early career years, I had the opportunity to work in electronics, computer maintenance, computer sales, and even computer engineering lecturing. All these roles provided me with valuable insights into how IT systems underpin business operations and how they impact society.”
Wins in his current role
In his current role at Diamond Trust Bank, he finds it exciting to collaborate with the incredibly talented individuals across the different departments. “We have constant engagements through dynamic brainstorming sessions that often lead to breakthrough ideas and innovative solutions, either working on the technology directly or through the rich ecosystem of partners the bank has cultivated.”
He says that he finds it incredibly rewarding to see how the bank’s constant innovations provide solutions that not only enhance customer experiences, but drive growth opportunities for both team members and the business.
“The most exciting thing about leading technology is the landscape’s inherently dynamic nature. You are assured that there will always be something new to learn and implement. This constant evolution keeps me and my team on our toes and pushes us to think creatively and strategically,” he says.
Overcoming challenges
One of the biggest hurdles in Jimmie's career was leading a major initiative in rethinking banking during the delicate period of the Covid-19 pandemic.
“This, coupled with the rapid technological change, meant I had to drive the team to radically re-engineer processes, virtualise the bank, and ensure seamless customer experience. All this was done as we simultaneously launched new digital products and channels to meet customer demands for touchless engagements.”
He says the challenge was two-fold: managing the technical complexities of acquiring and integrating new technologies, and ensuring that the team was not only fully equipped to handle these changes, but that their and their families’ wellness truly came first.
“The scale of the project covered a few countries in the region, which presented a challenge due to the travel bans and rigorous clearing process one had to go through to travel. In addition, as we kept rolling changes, for both our customers and staff, an inherent risk of technical glitches, that could disrupt the bank’s operations, lurked in the dark around us.”
To overcome this, he says he focused on building a fit-for-purpose team, coupled with meticulous planning and communication. “We quickly adopted virtual meetings. We broke the project into manageable phases with clear milestones and established an agile approach for delivery. Additionally, I engaged the control functions and crafted a comprehensive risk management strategy. To ensure alignment and manage expectations, we ensured that all stakeholders were kept abreast of the changes through constant and transparent communication.”
Jimmie, the leader
Jimmie says that his leadership style is collaborative and visionary. He recognises that people are different from one another, and that all these different perspectives lead to innovation and success.
“I have a strong belief in fostering an environment where ideas are freely shared, and everyone feels empowered to contribute their unique perspectives,” he says. “I am also a strong advocate for open communication and encouraging feedback. I have intentionally trained my teams in both receiving and giving feedback. I aim to build a team culture that thrives on mutual respect and continuous learning.”
He also says that he has to be adaptable, given the rapidly evolving technological landscape. “Being informed and being open to change are critical items in the menu of success. I not only live this reality but constantly encourage my team to embrace new challenges and technologies enthusiastically.”
Banking from Kenya to the rest of the world
According to Jimmie, while the rate and impact of change may differ between Africa and more advanced economies, he believes current disruptions will eventually reach every corner of the globe. These changes will redefine banking and further integrate it into society’s everyday lifestyle. “This will truly make banking something we do, not somewhere we go!” he says.
He anticipates a future where technology will converge to provide seamless services to customers. “These will include, but not be limited to the application of blockchain to enable transparent transactions, AI for enhancing customer service, robotics and automation platforms to provide efficiency, ensure compliance and expand digital financial services to reach the previously disadvantaged members of the population, while driving financial inclusion,” he says.
Hailing from the mountains
Jimmie grew up in Nyahururu, a town on the slopes of Aberdare ranges. The town sits at an altitude of 2,303 metres and is also the home of the famous Thomson Falls.
“This high altitude could have been the reason I became very athletic at a young age,” Jimmie says. “I was known for middle to long distance events, and even did a few full marathons! It was a small community where my mother was a respected church leader. This instilled in me a strong sense of community, resilience, and hard work.”
He says that his upbringing taught him the value of adaptability, which has been crucial in his career in the fast-paced world of technology in communication, banking and insurance. “These experiences continue to influence my approach as a CDIO, where I strive to lead with vision, contribute to my teams’ growth, and drive meaningful change in the society.”
Jimmie is part of a local setup that aims to drive science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) in underserved communities.
“We hold workshops and offer guidance on careers to students with interest in technology. My own three nephews are just joining popular universities to study electronics engineering, computer science and financial engineering! These will be the drivers of the next phase of the digital age.”
He is also involved in charity efforts aimed at improving access to education and technology in rural areas, with a vision of providing schools and training centres with computers and internet access as well as programmes to train the next generation of IT workers and innovators.
Jimmie unwinds by cycling, enjoying the sound of rubber on the tarmac as he cycles Nairobi’s major highways. “I picked up this hobby in Johannesburg and have remained loyal to it over the years. I am also a photographer, trained by Nikon SA, and take time shooting at events or randomly occasionally.”
He also enjoys family time, rushing home to enjoy a quiet dinner with his family, read books to his children, or watching children’s shows with his child. “I find these critical in helping me recharge for the next day’s guaranteed adventures.”
