Kayode Thomas

With a solid background in corporate strategy, business development, project management, business analysis, and supply chain management, gained from key positions with various blue-chip organizations, Kayode Thomas has many years of international and domestic experience in driving businesses to achieve their strategic and corporate goals.

Prior to Bell Oil & Gas Ltd, he managed and delivered various strategic projects for multi-national corporations in Europe including business process re-engineering, organization design, change management, ERP solutions, mergers and acquisitions, and post-merger business integration. He held strategic positions in different organizations including the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (London Office), British Telecommunications (UK), Johnson &Johnson(UK), cable and wireless(UK), and GlaxoSmithKline(UK) where he managed and developed supply chain processes, new product introduction models, sales and operations planning policies, product rationing strategies, customer services, and performance management methodologies across Europe. His various achievements led to him being named the Glaxo Wellcome HP Award winner in 1998.

A finalist at the 2011 Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the year award and a founding director of Bell Oil & Gas, Kayode is a Seasoned entrepreneur with a successful track record of leadership in cross-functional teams. At Bell Oil & Gas Ltd where he has held the position of CEO since inception, Kayode is responsible for corporate strategy, business planning, major projects development, change management, corporate governance, strategic alliances, brand management, and corporate social responsibility. He is also responsible for the overall directions, growth, and expansion of the company.

A strong advocate of continuous learning, Kayode is an ardent reader of a range of books covering leadership, motivation, relationship building, crime, autobiographies, and Christian Literature. He is also a presenter and speaker at international conferences with specific interests in strategic Alliances, Nigerian Content, and Entrepreneurship.

Kayode is an avid animal lover, with interests in exotic breeds of dogs, parrots, horses, and wildlife. He is also a staunch Formula 1 follower, and a lover of cricket, rugby, snooker, polo, and sailing.

A Harvard Business school and Warwick Business school alumnus, Kayode is a highly motivated and articulate professional who brings with him, deep business insights, strategic thinking, and extensive management and business development experience and expertise spanning many key business areas.

A certified Management consultant (CMC), Kayode serves on the board of a number of companies, including several start-ups, provides advisory services to many organizations, within and outside the oil industry, and supports young aspiring entrepreneurs in translating ideas into business reality.
Kayode is also the founder and chairman of Rifugio Communications, leading mobile phone retail, and enterprise solutions provider in Nigeria. He holds a B.SC(Hons) Degree in Physics, M.SC in Advanced Manufacturing Systems, an MBA, and a Doctorate Degree in Business Administration with research interest in Strategic Alliances and implications for Local Capacity Development in the Nigerian Oil & Gas industry.

Kayode is a member of the Institute of Directors, the Nigerian Institute of Management, and a fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants(IMC-Nigeria).