NCB announces departure of CEO Bruce Bowen, appoints Sheree Martin interim head

The National Commercial Bank (NCB) has announced that Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bowen will leave the organisation effective February 28, 2026.

In a statement today, NCB said Bowen will proceed on vacation leave ahead of his departure.

During this period, Sheree Martin, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer, has assumed the role of interim CEO.

According to the bank, the leadership transition aligns with its commitment to strong governance, continuity, and disciplined execution.

Chairman of NCB Financial, Michael Lee-Chin, when asked over the weekend, declined to respond to questions.

Bowen did not respond to emailed queries when approached, while Head of Investor Relations, Belinda Williams, also declined to comment.

The move does not affect the parent company, NCB Financial, which is run by Robert Almeida.

“Bowen was appointed in 2023 to lead a focused turnaround period for the bank. That phase is now largely complete and, as previously contemplated, 2026 was expected to mark the transition from turnaround to sustainable growth. In this context, Mr Bowen will be leaving the organisation on February 28, 2026, to pursue other interests,” NCB said.

“The Board thanks Mr Bowen for his leadership during this critical period and wishes him every success in his future endeavours.”

NCB said Martin brings more than 15 years of senior leadership experience in the financial services sector, with deep expertise in strategy execution and organisational transformation, as well as senior-level experience in the energy sector.

Since assuming the role of Chief Operating Officer, the bank said she has overseen several of its most critical operational and technology functions and has played a key role in strengthening execution discipline, operational resilience, and performance consistency across the organisation.

Commenting on the leadership transition, NCB Financial Group’s Chief Executive Officer and NCBJ Board Chairman, Robert Almeida, said: “Our strategy, priorities, and commitment to our customers, employees, and communities remain unchanged. As we build on the progress made over the past two years, our focus continues to be on disciplined execution, consistent value creation, and shared accountability. I would like to thank Bruce Bowen for his leadership during a critical turnaround period and welcome Sheree Martin as she assumes leadership at this important stage in the bank’s journey.”

The board emphasised that the leadership transition reflects continuity and stability as the bank moves from a period of stabilisation into its next phase of sustainable growth.

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