Charles Russon is the Group Executive for Africa Regions at Absa Group, leading operations across Botswana, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Seychelles, Tanzania, Uganda, and Zambia, and representative offices in Nigeria and Namibia.

In this role, he is focused on unlocking growth opportunities, deepening cross border integration, and positioning Absa Africa Regions for long-term, sustainable success.Charles served as Interim Chief Executive Officer of the Absa Group in 2024 and has been part of the Absa Group Executive Committee for more than a decade.

 He is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of banking experience in South Africa, Germany, and the United Kingdom, and has held several senior roles at Absa, including Chief Executive of the Corporate and Investment Bank, where he strengthened the franchise’s market position and operational capabilities across Africa, and Chief Executive of Engineering Services. He is a Chartered Accountant, CA(SA), registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), and is committed to strategic leadership, operational excellence, and helping shape Africa’s growth story.