Dr. Betty Radier is the new Kenya Tourism Board's Chief Executive Officer. Dr. Radier's appointment by the KTB Board of Directors is the result of an extensive recruitment process.
Announcing the appointment, KTB Chairman Mr. Jimi Kariuki said the Board was confident that Dr. Radier had the right qualifications to steer KTB and the country's tourism sector into great new frontiers. She brings on board vast leaderships skills complemented with expertise in Strategy.
While appreciating the outgoing Ag. CEO Mrs. Jacinta Nzioka for holding fort for 9 months, KTB Chairman Jimi Kariuki congratulated Jacinta for a job well done during this period. "The KTB board appreciates the role you have played during this time when KTB and the sector has been going through a lot of engagements aimed at improving business".
On Betty's appointment, the Chairman further explained that a thorough selection process saw Betty come tops. "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 next year," he said.
In a handover ceremony held at the KTB offices, Ms. Jacinta Nzioka-Mbithi, who had been serving as acting KTB CEO warmly welcomed Dr. Radier as she officially took office. Ms. Nzioka 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.
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 Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree and from the University of Nairobi.
Prior to her appointment, Dr. Radier served as Managing Director of Scanad Kenya, JWT and Scanad Advertising Tanzania, McCann Kenya Ltd, and Lowe Scanad Uganda Limited.
"I am pleased to start this new role and thank the Board for their show of confidence. Mrs. 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 says. She noted that KTB in the last year had a portrayed a notable difference in the focus on marketing Kenya as a tourist destination.
Dr. Betty 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 organization's agenda.