by Rewa Udoji
It has been a fortnight since I began my new role with my new family - Chapel Hill Denham. I think I am almost fully settled in and I’m absolutely loving being here. I am glad that I made the decision to join the team. It’s also been an interesting couple of weeks in so many ways. Something that I’m finding particularly interesting is the number of times people have asked me why I made the move and the more common question is, ‘are you still an artist?’
I guess I understand why these questions keep coming up. Still, it makes me realize how even more important it is that people are encouraged and even inspired to fully express themselves regardless of how multi-dimensional they are. This full expression is especially vital when there is a clear intentionality with the way one pursues all their expressions, regardless of how many they may be.
The first thing I say when people ask if I’m still an artist is, ‘who says it isn’t permissible to be both?’, ‘why am I only allowed to be one or the other at any given time’? Especially when I have found an organisation that welcomes and even celebrates all I represent and care about.
Before I go into a major monologue, I will pointedly say – Yes, I am still very much a Visual Artist but in the immediate future, I am hyper-focused on accelerating my career in finance. I would also like to share a few of my reasons for joining Chapel Hill Denham and I hope it helps someone else find clarity in whatever decisions they are either currently grappling with or have already made but constantly get quizzed about.
1. Equity and Diversity
Diversity and equity are extremely important to me in all my expressions from Finance to Visual Art. Varying ideologies, personalities, proclivities and yes, gender must be well represented. Chapel Hill Denham is also big on these issues; they don’t just talk the talk but they walk it relentlessly. Regarding gender parity, for instance, from the firm’s inception, women account for over 50% of the employees and 40% of leadership positions. These statistics are also not just for the sake of being able to quote them, but there is an evident culture of supporting and celebrating women at the organization. My new bosses, Bolaji Balogun and Phil Southwell, are visionaries in this regard and in many other areas. Under his leadership, I believe that the sky, and beyond, is not the limit for me as well as for the wider firm. Immediately this became clear to me, it began to feel like it would be a great idea to join this progressive organisation.
2. Innovation, Inclusivity and Sustainability
People typically do not associate innovation with traditional financial institutions but with firms (like CHD) that create research-based products advanced by creative deal origination and execution – innovation is in no way a novel concept. The focus here is on ensuring that underserved segments of the economy are seen, heard and grown with a mindset of building a sustainable future for Nigerians and Africans. Coming from Cranstoun where it was my absolute goal to do things differently and in a good way, seeing that my ideology didn’t have to change but was even a main attraction for my joining the team; warmed my heart and had me sold!
3. An Appreciation of Art
Kaito + Dumebi by Art By Rewa
My new family loves art!!! I had always kind of known that the firm supported art and artists but to visit the offices before I joined and see that art was a very integral theme of their décor was really the most fantastic thing! The meeting rooms have art prominently displayed in them and are actually named after African artists. Maybe one day, one of the meeting rooms will be named after me, wink wink.
Taking this step to focus on my finance career through my joining Chapel Hill Denham was not an off-the-cuff decision, but following rigorous consideration. I simply know where I’m going, I want to get there fast, and I don't want to go alone. I am at peace with the decision and I’m keenly looking forward to making my mark here as I have always done.
What else can I say? Let’s all make the world a much better place by showing up strongly in all of our expressions and encouraging others to do the same! One thing’s for sure -the world would be a lot less boring!
Rewa Udoji is a finance professional and visual artist whose exceptional intellect and creativity have enabled her to effortlessly carve a niche for herself in the financial services and visual art worlds. As a finance expert, she has 14 years of experience across Western and African markets. Her expertise and passion for creating tangible value for African investors led her to establish Cranstoun in 2017. Cranstoun is a multi-million dollar Asset Management company, whose principal objective is to generate long-term risk-adjusted returns to its investors and shareholders. Over the last five years, Rewa has also become a globally celebrated visual artist whose heritage-inspired art has been featured in fairs, museum and gallery exhibitions across Africa, Asia, Europe and North America. Website: www.artbyrewa.com | www.cranstouncorporation.com
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