Gavin Bouwer
Managing Director - Funding
Gavin has built a distinguished career in banking, spanning over three decades. He began his journey in 1990 at ABSA Bank, where he honed his expertise in Credit/Corporate Lending. His leadership journey took a significant turn in 1996 when he assumed the role of Head of Home Loans Collections/Foreclosures at ABSA’s Regional Office.
In 2002, Gavin joined the third-largest bank globally by asset size, to spearhead the establishment of its branch in Sandton. Over the next 20 years, Gavin played a pivotal role in expanding the banks footprint in South Africa, focusing on Syndicated Loans, Project Finance, Commercial Lending, and Trade Finance offerings. Under his stewardship, Gavin successfully built and managed a substantial portfolio, overseeing Assets of R25 billion and Liabilities of R30 billion. He led a team of 23 direct reports in Business Development, demonstrating exceptional leadership and strategic acumen.
Gavin’s influence extended beyond South Africa; he forged strong relationships with over 100 international banks worldwide and played a crucial role in establishing relationships with 50 banks in Africa. His track record includes notable achievements such as securing USD 230 million in Syndicated Loans for one of the local big 5 banks in South Africa as well as facilitating USD 100 million in Bi-lateral Loans for local listed entities.
In addition to his operational achievements, Gavin has served at the EXCO level and was BA020 approved by the Prudential Authority as an Executive Officer, underscoring his regulatory expertise and leadership in financial governance. His extensive experience in FICA/FAIS environment further underscores his comprehensive understanding of compliance and regulatory frameworks.