TheCable

The board of LEAP Africa has initiated an award of excellence in honour of late Seyi Bickersteth, former KPMG West Africa chairman.

Bickersteth was found dead in his Ikoyi apartment, Lagos, on Wednesday.

In a statement on Saturday, Ndidi Nwuneli, founder of LEAP Africa, said the board is committed to sustaining his legacy through ‘The Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Excellence, Compliance and Governance’.

The organisation said the honour will be bestowed on a young, outstanding social entrepreneur who embodies Bickersteth’s values of excellence, transparency and accountability.

The award will be presented annually during LEAP Africa’s Social Innovators Awards.

“The Board, staff and beneficiaries of LEAP Africa mourn the sudden death of our distinguished and devoted Board member – Mr. Seyi Bickersteth, who passed away on March 3rd 2021. A legend in the African finance, accounting, tax, governance and compliance landscape, LEAP Africa was honoured to welcome Mr. Bickersteth to our Board of Directors in 2017, soon after his retirement as the Chairman of KPMG West Africa,” the organisation said.

“Over the past three years, Mr. Seyi Bickersteth served as a committed and devoted Board member. He was extremely passionate about mentoring young Nigerians and fully embraced LEAP’s commitment to raising the next generation of dynamic, innovative and principled young leaders who will transform Africa.

“Early in his tenure, the entire LEAP family was struck by his humility, kind and gentle demeanor, which endeared him to the organisation as a whole, especially the young team in our finance and accounts department. Mr. Bickersteth applied his brilliance and wealth of experiences in guiding the Board and staff of the organisation.

“A few months into his tenure on the Board, Mr. Bickersteth was appointed to serve as the chairman of our Finance Committee. He applied his razor-sharp lens to guide the organisation through its budgeting and auditing process. He coached the team on the appropriate systems and controls for ensuring compliance, transparency and accountability.

“LEAP Africa has lost a great gem! Nigeria has lost a brilliant man who loved this country deeply and gave his time, talents and treasure to nurturing the next generation of Nigerian leaders. LEAP Africa’s Board is committed to sustaining Mr. Bickersteth’s legacy through our work across Africa and a special award in his honour – The Seyi Bickersteth Prize for Financial Excellence, Compliance and Governance.”

According to Udeme Ufot, LEAP Africa’s chairman, the deceased was a committed member of the organisation’s board.

“Seyi Bickersteth was an accomplished professional whose unassuming personality was in great contrast to the heights he had attained in his professional calling. Very professional, calm and objective in his approach to all issues. A very committed LEAP board member,” Ufot said.