Citywealth Leaders List, 60 seconds interview – Ngozi Akinyele, Coronation Group
This week’s 60 seconds Citywealth Leaders List interview features Ngozi Akinyele, Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Coronation Group. She is an experienced management consultant and brand manager with expertise in brand development, marketing, operational transformation, business intelligence analytics and change management across multiple sectors, including aviation, banking, retail and transportation, as well as experience as a guest interviewer at the nationally acclaimed development fair, The Platform Nigeria.
Tell Citywealth readers about your role and the brand you represent.
I serve as Group Executive and Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, Coronation Group, a diversified financial services group focused on investment management, banking, wealth management, insurance and lending. Our ambition is to be Africa’s Prosperity Partner, helping individuals and businesses build, preserve and transfer wealth.
What does a typical day look like for you?
I like to start my day by walking through the Coronation Art Gallery. It sets the tone and gets me thinking creatively. The rest of my day involves working with my team to translate strategy into action, discussing business priorities and campaigns, engaging partners and media, and ensuring our marketing delivers results.
What recent campaign, rebrand or initiative are you most proud of?
Our partnership with Tate Modern on the widely celebrated Nigerian Modernism exhibition stands out. It created an opportunity to connect global audiences with the richness of Nigerian modern art and showed how a financial services brand can contribute meaningfully to culture. It reflects our belief that the wealth of a people lies not only in their financial capital, but also in their cultural capital. We are stewards of both.
What are the biggest marketing challenges facing private wealth firms today?
I see three: earning and sustaining trust, balancing digital innovation and AI with the personal service clients expect, and differentiating the brand in a crowded market. The challenge is to embrace new ways of serving clients without losing the human connection, while ensuring marketing delivers measurable commercial outcomes.
How do you differentiate a private wealth brand in a crowded and often conservative market?
Start with what is authentic to the brand. Understand who you are, whom you serve and what genuinely sets you apart. At Coronation, our integrated financial services platform, distinctly African perspective and commitment to art and culture help differentiate us. The goal is not to look like everyone else, but to be clear about what makes you different.
What metrics matter most to you when measuring success?
I focus on three areas: brand, commercial outcomes and people. Brand awareness and trust must ultimately translate into client choice and business growth. I also measure my own success by the quality of the team I build and its ability to deliver consistently.
What do you consider to be the most important attributes for a marketing leader?
Strategic thinking, curiosity and the ability to influence. You need to understand the business, ask the right questions and bring people along. Creativity matters, but it must connect to commercial priorities and be supported by a strong team.
Who or what inspires your creative thinking?
Art, culture and conversations with people inspire me. I am particularly drawn to stories of people who build things that endure. Some of my best ideas come from seeing the world through a different lens.
Where was the last place you travelled for work or inspiration?
London. I visited Tate Modern and explored exhibitions beyond Nigerian Modernism, which I had been involved with through our partnership. Seeing works from different cultures and perspectives was inspiring. I love how art connects people across cultures, and it is something I would love to experience more often.
If you were not in private wealth marketing, what would you be doing?
I would probably be making films, particularly documentaries about Africa. I would love to tell stories that celebrate the richness of our cultures, shape narratives and preserve our cultural wealth.
How do you relax after a busy campaign or event?
One of my favourite things is spending time with the team after delivering something impactful. Beyond the debrief, there is something special about relaxing together, soaking it all in and celebrating everyone’s contribution. I love seeing people enjoy their flowers. Beyond that, it is time with my faith, family and art. I also practise gratitude, which helps me maintain perspective and appreciate the people and experiences that matter beyond work.
Which private wealth brand do you think is getting it right, and why?
I admire Investec for its distinctive identity and the clarity of its proposition. It demonstrates the value of building a recognisable brand around a clear understanding of its clients. For me, the strongest wealth brands combine credibility, expertise and a client experience that gives people a reason to stay.
Key Takeaways
- Ngozi Akinyele serves as Chief Marketing and Communications Officer at Coronation Group, focusing on investment management and wealth preservation.
- Her role involves translating strategy into action and working with her team to achieve marketing results.
- Akinyele highlights a successful partnership with Tate Modern, showcasing Nigerian art and culture.
- She identifies key marketing challenges, including building trust and balancing digital innovation with personal service.
- For Akinyele, creativity, strategic thinking, and the ability to influence are essential attributes for successful marketing leadership.
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