Robert William Collymore, MBS (1958-2019)
Bob Collymore (1958–2019) was a visionary leader who served as CEO of Safaricom, Kenya’s largest telecom provider. Born in Guyana, he moved to the UK as a teenager and later built a career in telecommunications, eventually joining Safaricom in 2010. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant growth, championed inclusivity, and launched initiatives like the Safaricom International Jazz Festival. Diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in 2017, he continued working while undergoing treatment. He passed away on July 1, 2019, leaving behind a legacy of innovation and social impact.
Place a notice in 5 minutes Post a Tribute
Share
BOB COLLYMORE (1958-2019)
Life and Demise
Robert William Collymore, or Bob Collymore as he was known, served as the Chief Executive Officer at Safaricom, the largest telecommunications provider in Kenya. He was born on 13th January 1958 in Guyana, where he was raised by his grandparents. When he was 16, Collymore emigrated to the United Kingdom to live with his mother, where he enrolled at Selhurst High School. He was accepted to study at Warwick University, but could not enroll due to lack of funds.
From 1993, Collymore worked in different companies in the telecommunications industry: among them Cellnet, Dixons Retail, and Vodafone UK. In 2003, he managed the integration of J-phone into the Vodafone group and in 2006, he was appointed as the governance director for Africa at Vodafone and subsidiary Safaricom. The culmination of his career was his appointment as the CEO of Safaricom in 2010.
Collymore is survived by his wife, Wambui Kamiru, whom he married on 2nd April 2016 in Kitusuru, Nairobi and . He was stepfather to Wambui's children.
Initially, Collymore was misdiagnosed with vitamin D deficiency, but in 2017 was later diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). After being hospitalised for almost nine months in the UK he returned to Kenya in July 2018 to resume his duties as the CEO while undergoing treatment in various hospitals. His condition worsened in June 2019, and he passed away at his home on 1st July 2019.
Achievements
In 2012, the Kenyan president awarded him the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) award.
In 2016, the African Investor recognised him as the International Business Leader of the Year and the following year recognised him as the CEO of the Year.
A lover of jazz, Collymore initiated the Safaricom International Jazz Festival in 2014, which has since been held annually.
During his tenure as Safaricom’s CEO, Safaricom was ranked the best employer in Africa and the 67th globally in 2018 according to Forbes business magazine.
Under his leadership, Safaricom increased the number of staff with disabilities to 5 percent (March 2021) from 1.7 percent in 2016.
References
Anthony Owino (1st July 2019) Bob Collymore’s achievements; An in-depth analysis/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Collymore
Tributes
Be the first to leave a treasured tribute.
Share a treasured tribute...
Need a hand? Contact us.