# Sterling Financial Holdings Appoints Gul Khan as Alternative Bank Managing Director Veteran executive Gul Khan takes leadership of Nigeria's non-interest banking subsidiary to drive digital growth. - **Source:** [Premium Times Nigeria](https://www.premiumtimesng.com) - **Published:** 2026-11-11 - **Topic:** [Finance](https://brifing.si/c/finance) - **Original article:** - **On Brifing:** https://brifing.si/s/f183911c-a6cd-4af9-9d2a-32b8f1597a90 ## Strategic Leadership Transition Sterling Financial Holdings Company Plc has officially appointed Gul Khan as the new managing director of Alternative Bank Limited. This transition became effective on November 5, following the retirement of the former managing director, Hassan Yusuf. The appointment received formal approval from the Central Bank of Nigeria as part of regulatory compliance. ## Digital Banking Ambitions The appointment serves as a strategic move to position Alternative Bank as Nigeria’s premier innovative digital non-interest bank. By leveraging Khan's extensive background, the firm aims to accelerate its digital transformation agenda. This shift reflects the group's broader commitment to modernizing its service delivery and expanding its reach within the competitive sector. ## Extensive Global Experience Gul Khan brings over 25 years of professional experience to his new role at Alternative Bank. His career spans diverse markets, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, Asia, and the Middle East. He has held senior leadership positions at major global financial institutions such as HSBC, ADIB, Gulf Bank, and Doha Bank throughout his career. ## Proven Growth Track Record Before joining Alternative Bank, Khan served as the chief executive officer of I M Bank Limited in Kenya. During his tenure, he successfully led initiatives that delivered significant improvements in revenue, overall profitability, and market share. His leadership was instrumental in driving a period of accelerated growth and organizational transformation for the bank. ## Fintech and Product Expertise Khan previously served as the head of products at Airtel Money Africa, where he focused on driving substantial revenue growth. In that capacity, he successfully expanded the platform's active customer base and supported major equity investment initiatives. His background in digital financial services is expected to be a key asset for the bank. ## Focus on Innovation The board of Sterling Financial Holdings expressed deep appreciation for the outgoing managing director, Hassan Yusuf, for his dedication and leadership. With Khan now at the helm, the bank is expected to prioritize product development and large-scale transformation. His expertise in retail banking and digital financial services aligns with the bank's long-term goals. ## Regulatory and Market Context The appointment was confirmed through a regulatory filing submitted on Wednesday. As a non-interest banking subsidiary, Alternative Bank operates within a specialized segment of the Nigerian financial landscape. The Central Bank of Nigeria's approval underscores the importance of this leadership change in maintaining stability and growth within the country's evolving banking ecosystem. ## Future Growth Trajectory The bank's growth drive will now rely on Khan's ability to scale digital services and develop innovative financial products. By integrating his global experience with local market needs, the institution aims to solidify its position. Stakeholders will be monitoring how these leadership changes impact the bank's performance and digital service adoption rates. ## Sources covering this story - https://www.premiumtimesng.com/business/business-news/924462-sterling-financial-holdings-appoints-gul-khan-as-managing-director-of-alternative-bank.html — --- _Summary written by Brifing from the original reporting. Copyright in the original article belongs to its publisher; read the full piece at the link above._