CPA John Karanu
Member, Board of Directors
Senior board member with extensive expertise in financial management and corporate governance across diverse sectors. Successfully led strategic initiatives in digitization and risk management, while enhancing operational efficiency and stakeholder engagement. Committed to aligning organizational goals with sustainable growth and compliance, leveraging a robust background in oversight and performance monitoring. Known for fostering high levels of employee engagement and accountability within governance structures.
Kenya
0+
Years experience
0
Languages
0
Skills
Work Experience
Chairman Finance, Administration and Strategy Committee, NED
- Provides guidance on financial reporting, strategy, and financial growth and performance of the bank.
- Was in the founder team that pursued the microfinance bank licensing process by Central Bank of Kenya.
- Provides oversight on Human Resources recruitment, training and development, and ensured high level of employee engagement.
- Provides oversight of the bank’s asset–liability balance, ensuring resilient liquidity levels to safeguard stability; facilitated the sourcing of additional equity from strategic partners to strengthen capital adequacy and support sustainable growth.
Board Member, NED
- Chaired Ad-Hoc Committee on Digitization and Automation Transformation
- Augmented business distribution model via digital channels, AI, and data analytics
- Improved overall customer experience across the enterprise
- Served on the Finance & Investment Committee, providing strategic oversight to enhance financial performance; optimized investment strategies and ensured continuous enterprise improvement by rigorously evaluating underwriting risks and selectively turning down exposures that did not align with sustainable growth objectives.
Member Board of Trustees
- Provide board‑level guidance to ensure ESSA’s programs align with long‑term goals of improving educational outcomes across Sub‑Saharan Africa.
- Monitor performance metrics and hold management accountable for delivering measurable improvements in student access, quality, and employability.
- Oversee financial sustainability by reviewing budgets, ensuring efficient allocation of resources, and safeguarding compliance with donor and partner requirements.
- Support fundraising and equity‑building initiatives by cultivating strategic partnerships that expand ESSA’s capital base and enable scalable impact.
Chairman, Board of Directors
- Chaired Board of Directors for TransUnion Botswana
- Oversaw credit reporting, fraud prevention, and risk management services
- Ensured compliance with Bank of Botswana regulations and prudential guidelines.
- Ensured that the annual mandatory board meetings were planned for and attended by required parties to deliberate on quarterly reports and consider any approvals necessary for the conduct of the business.,
Member Board of Directors
- Served on Board of Directors for TransUnion Namibia.
- Supported IT and data company operations under Bank of Namibia regulation.
- Gave oversight on financial performance of the enterprise and guided in providing assistance to the management in driving the stakeholders' agenda.
Advisor
- Provided financial and accounting management advisory
- Ex-official board member
Member Board of Directors
- Served on Board of Directors for Credit Reference Bureau Africa Limited
- Oversaw IT and data company operations regulated by Central Bank of Kenya
- As a member of management with a board sit, I ensured the boards directions and decisions were implemented across the business floor.
Chief Finance Officer
- Led financial operations of TransUnion Africa across multiple African countries
- Ensured financial compliance and operational efficiency
- Spearheaded efficient streamlining of business by maintaining a robust system of internal controls.
- Provided close support to revenue team to drive growth and profitability across all our diverse markets.
Chairman, Bank Audit and Risk Committee
- Founding Finance Director and Chairman of Audit and Risk Committee
- Led procurement of core banking system and other required systems
- Resigned as Director in 2021; recalled in 2025 as Chairman of Finance, Administration and Strategy Committee
Group Financial Controller
- Oversaw financial systems, reporting, treasury management, and staff development
- Managed financial performance operations across 8 African countries that were spread out comprising 16 distinct trading entities.
- Superintended the budgeting process, established and sustained a robust Internal Control Mechanism and ensured strict compliance with the regulatory requirements as well as normal financial reporting.
Management Accountant/Chief Accountant
- Spearheaded and optimized financial and management accounting operations for Coca Cola franchise, enhancing beverage manufacturing and distribution for Nairobi as well as Machakos regions.
- Developed financial strategies that enhanced organizational performance. Introduced standardized operating procedures and internal controls across markets, supporting financial operations and reporting.
- Worked very closely with the revenue team and gave weekly revenue flash reports to ensure that the business performance was closely monitored throughout to ensure forecasted budget levels were attainable.
Chief Accountant
- Led the accounts team and ensure strict and timely financial performance reporting.
- Managed the external audit process for annual reporting requirements.
- Ensured the receivables management was kept within the right aging bounds and kept the DSO within close check and monitoring.
Audit Assistant
- Performed auditing and tax administration tasks for various clients amongst Agip Kenya, Cyanamid International, Kiwi Brands amongst others.
- Processed company payroll and managed all the payment disbursements of the enterprise.
- Ensured all tax filings were dully made and the payments thereof done within the established deadlines.
Skills
Financial ManagementCorporate GovernanceBoard OperationsFinancial ReportingStrategic LeadershipRisk ManagementMergers and AcquisitionsBudgeting and ForecastingTax ComplianceOperational EfficiencyBoard GovernanceBusiness ValuationsSpin-offsTransfer PricingCorporate Tax Management
Education
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours), Accounting
University of Nairobi
Certified Public Accountant of Kenya
Strathmore University - Nairobi
Certified Secretary
Strathmore University - Nairobi
Certified Director
Centre For Corporate Governance - Mombasa, Kenya
Certified Board of Trustee
Kenya College of Insurance - Nairobi, Nairobi Province, Kenya
Master of Business Administration, Finance and Accounting
Jomo Kenyata University of Agriculture and Technology
Languages
English
Fluent
Kiswahili
Fluent
German
Basic
Core Competencies & Achievements
I successfully guided the financial operations of TransUnion Africa as the regional Finance Head
My role was centered on ensuring financial compliance, driving operational efficiency, and contributing to the organization's overall growth and profitability across these diverse markets.
- Strategic Leadership & Corporate Governance : Board member for multiple organizations across Kenya, Botswana, Namibia, and Malawi, providing governance and compliance support. Chairman of the Board for Transunion Bureau (Pty) Botswana, regulated by the Bank of Botswana, and founder-director in charge of the Audit and Risk Committee of Muungano Microfinance Bank, regulated by the Central Bank of Kenya.
- Played a key role in improving business efficiency , cost savings, and profitability through strategic decision-making and governance.
- Financial Operations & Strategy: Led the rollout of Business Process Royalty for cost recovery in Kenya and Botswana, optimizing tax efficiency. Spearheaded a treasury management system implementation in Kenya and developed uniform financial strategies across 8 country offices. Directed finance teams in multiple regions, enhancing operational performance.
- Risk Management & Compliance: Guided compliance with local legislation by developing Transfer Pricing Policies and other financial regulations in Zambia. Led a team of tax compliant professionals that ensured the business complied with statutory provisions and in strict observance of requirements of revenue authorities.
- Established robust accounting systems to ensure sound accounting and efficient financial reporting for the enterprise both for internal purposes as well as external reporting.
- Mergers, Acquisitions & Expansion: Facilitated the merger of Credit Reference Bureau Africa with TransUnion Plc, contributing the group to grow, expanding operations from 8 to 35 countries. Played a pivotal role in acquiring new business entities, overseeing financial integration, and driving revenue growth from USD 3 million to USD 15 million annually.
- Financial Management & Policy Development: Developed financial strategies that enhanced organizational performance. Introduced standardized operating procedures and internal controls across markets, supporting financial operations and reporting.
Hobbies and Interests
To unwind
- Travelling
- Reading
- Learning Techie world advancements.
- Farming
- Amateur golfer
Extracurricular Activities
Chairman - St Margaret De Castello Welfare Program
Leader and Chairman of Steering Committee for a Catholic Church based Special Needs program of Children with Cerebral Palsy condition. This has been quite a fulfilling undertaking for me over the years I have participated in contributing together with the other steering committee members in making the lives of the little ones more worthwhile. We have so far helped a number of previously bed-ridden children to learn simple motor skills and others have joined special schools for active learning. At our program we say and believe that Kindness is a gift that just anyone and anybody can afford.
References available upon request.