Change to Oikocredit’s Managing Board
Thos Gieskes, Managing Director, will be leaving Oikocredit, having announced that he will explore new opportunities. Thos will continue to work for the cooperative until 1 October.
Thos joined Oikocredit as Managing Director in April 2017. Under his leadership Oikocredit has become a stronger and more resilient organisation.
Together with the Managing Board (MB), Thos led the development and implementation of the 2018-2022 strategy which reaffirmed the company’s focus on social impact and improved its financial position.
Thos has also been leading the efforts to mitigate the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic on Oikocredit and has been instrumental in preparing the development of the cooperative’s new strategy for 2022-2026.
To ensure a smooth transition, Thos will continue to work for Oikocredit until 1 October, providing time to find a suitable replacement. Oikocredit’s Supervisory Board is thankful to Thos for his flexibility in this regard and for his ongoing dedication to Oikocredit.
Joseph Patterson, Chair of Oikocredit’s Supervisory Board, said: “Thos can be proud of what he has achieved as Managing Director of Oikocredit. Through his hard work and dedication, he has guided our organisation through some very challenging times and put us in a strong position for the coming years. While Thos remains with us until 1 October, I’m sure all Oikocredit’s stakeholders will join me in thanking him for his commitment to Oikocredit and in wishing him well in his future endeavours.”
Thos commented: “After four years as Oikocredit’s Managing Director, I’m leaving this wonderful organisation in a strong position to continue its important mission well into the future. The commitment of Oikocredit’s staff, members, partners and investors is inspirational and working for the cooperative has been an enormous privilege. I look forward to seeing Oikocredit continue for many years to come its work to empower low-income people.”
The search for Thos’s replacement will begin imminently.