Dr Betty Radier assumes office at Kenya Tourism Board
Dr Betty Radier has officially taken over as the new chief executive officer at the Kenya Tourism Board following a nine-month vacuum of a substantive CEO. Dr Radier took on the baton from marketing director Jacinta Nzioka who had been serving as acting CEO.
Kenya Tourism Board (KTB) Chairman Jimi Kariuki, while announcing the appointment, said that the Board was confident that Dr Radier had the right qualifications to steer KTB and the country’s tourism sector to great new frontiers. She brings on board vast leaderships skills complemented with expertise in strategy. Dr Radier’s appointment by the KTB Board of Directors is the result of an extensive recruitment process.
While appreciating the outgoing CEO, Jacinta Nzioka, for holding the position for nine months, Kariuki said, “The KTB appreciates the role you have played during this time when KTB and the sector have been going through a lot of engagements aimed at improving business.”
“We are glad that Dr Radier is taking the leadership of KTB as we continue to make progress in the tourism recovery journey. I have no doubt that she is the right person to take the helm at KTB as the corporation celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017,” he added.
Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi, who had been serving as acting KTB CEO, had been appointed early this year by Tourism Cabinet Secretary Najib Balala during this transitional period and shall now continue to serve as KTB’s Marketing Director. In a handover ceremony held at the KTB offices, Nzioka warmly welcomed Dr Radier as she officially took office.
Dr Radier brings to KTB over 18 years senior management experience in marketing, strategy, and operations. Dr Radier holds a Doctoral degree in Entrepreneurship and Small Business Development, University of Cape Town, Graduate School of Business, a Master of Business Administration (MBA) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and from the University of Nairobi.
“I am pleased to start this new role and thank the Board for their show of confidence. Jacinta-Mbithi has done a tremendous job and I look forward to working with her and the entire KTB team across the country and internationally to make Kenya tourism destination of choice destination,” she said. She also noted that KTB in the last year had a portrayed a notable difference in the focus on marketing Kenya as a tourist destination.
Dr Radier further mentioned that Kenya Tourism Board has an opportunity to work together with Kenyans to promote Kenya as a tourism destination and embrace the as well as showcase the beauty of Kenya and attract tourists to Kenya. She reiterated that the KTB stakeholder relations especially the tourism sector must be embraced as they play a key role in the organisation’s agenda.
Dr Radier, prior to her appointment, served as managing director of Scanad Kenya, JWT and Scanad Advertising Tanzania, McCann Kenya Ltd, and Lowe Scanad Uganda Limited.
