Xylem Water Solutions are pleased to announce the appointment of Mr Leo Yao into the position of Chief Strategy Officer, based in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, Leo will be responsible for driving business growth throughout Africa, establishing new opportunities with key market players.
Leo brings a wealth of project experience into the Xylem team. He majored in water studies, but has been a stalwart in the buildings and infrastructure sectors. Now Leo looks forward to applying his skills in the water sector.
“Africa has so much opportunity for growth and enhancement, much of which it realises every day,” said Leo. “I have been fortunate to explore those opportunities through different roles in different sectors. But at Xylem, I can focus that attention in an area that impacts everyone: water. There isn’t a more important resource in the world than water. Through this industry, I can help make a difference, amplify the value of water, and create sustainability. So it is an honour to work with Xylem and bring change through water that will accelerate Africa’s growth.”
In his role as Chief Strategy Officer, Leo will be responsible for driving business growth through the establishment of new opportunities with key market players. Leo is a true internationalist with an instinct for developing markets. Having worked across Africa, Asia and the Middle East, he brings a wealth of project experience into the Xylem team.
Leo holds a Degree in Hydraulic Engineering and is fluent in several languages, including Mandarin, French, English and Japanese. He also holds numerous certifications for different skills, including construction, health & safety, CAD/3D design, digital security, and Project Management Professional (PMP), and is a member of the Project Management Institute (PMI).
Established in East Africa, and with well-connected strong relationships with local EPC (engineering, procurement and construction) firms, he is comfortable working with different cultures and norms, creating collaboration among his teams to deliver multi-million dollar projects. He will be focusing his activities on EPC and project business throughout Africa, based out of Kenya. Leo has a deep love for Kenya and its people, and his appointment reflects Xylem’s strategy to grow across Africa and bring life-changing water solutions to the continent’s people. Choosing Kenya as his operational base, Leo also demonstrates the country’s growing importance as Xylem’s East Africa hub.
Known for his personal integrity and skilled abilities, Leo has over a decade of comprehensive working experience in the engineering field. He has organised and participated in the design and technical evaluation for numerous key projects. He has extensive experience in international project bidding, and familiar with International Federation of Consulting Engineers (FIDIC) clauses.
Introducing Leo into this crucial executive role is a major coup for Xylem, said Reuben Marowa, Sales & Business Director for East Africa:
“Leo Yao is not only very established across a wide range of industry verticals, but he also has substantial experience starting and delivering large projects. His insights will help Xylem develop ways to deliver more of our transformative water solutions and play a role in Africa’s rise as a global leader. We are very excited about his appointment. Keep an eye on Leo and his team. They are going to do great things.”
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