I&M Bank Uganda Chief Executive Officer (CEO)- Robin Bairstow has been awarded the Honorary Fellowship of the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services (UIBFS), in recognition of his contribution to Uganda’s banking industry and leadership in advancing financial services.
The award was presented to him on Friday, June 26, during the 13th UIBFS Graduation Ceremony held in Kampala.
Bairstow joins an elite list of banking leaders that have received the institute’s highest honour.
The Honorary Fellowship is a prestigious status awarded to distinguished professionals who have made outstanding contributions to the banking sector, and have supported the growth and development of the institute.
Bairstow described the recognition as both a personal honour and a reflection of the collective effort of the I&M Bank team.
“I am deeply honoured to receive this recognition from the Uganda Institute of Banking and Financial Services. This signifies the importance of building a banking sector that is innovative, resilient and customer-focused. It also reflects the dedication of the team at I&M Bank, whose commitment continues to drive meaningful transformation and deliver lasting value to our customers and the communities we serve,” Bairstow said.
Bairstow joined I&M Bank Uganda in October 2023 and has since led a major transformation programme. His leadership has overseen the replacement of the bank’s core banking system, upgrades to digital platforms, and the modernisation of data centres and the ATM network, alongside continued strengthening of the branch network.
During this transformation period, the bank recorded nearly eight percent growth, before accelerating to just under 50 percent year-on-year growth in 2025. This performance was supported by double-digit growth in retail and SME lending, increased digital customer acquisition, and ongoing investment in customer experience.
The I&M Bank Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications- Annette Nakiyaga, noted that the award reflects the impact of strong leadership in driving innovation and sustainable growth across the financial sector.
“Robin’s recognition is well deserved. His leadership has strengthened a culture of innovation, collaboration and excellence across I&M bank, while keeping customers at the centre of our strategy. We are proud of this milestone and remain committed to supporting the continued growth of Uganda’s financial services sector,” she said.
Meanwhile, the UIBFS graduation ceremony also saw professionals awarded with the Chartered Banker Level II – Executive Banker qualification, a credential that recognises advanced banking expertise, ethical leadership and commitment to continuous professional development.
