Peter Gregory Youell
Tamarin
Summary
Dynamic Chief Credit Officer with a proven track record at Absa Bank, driving credit strategy and regulatory compliance. Expert in credit assessment and stakeholder management, I led high-performance teams to enhance governance and portfolio quality, achieving significant operational improvements across diverse markets. Recognized for my leadership in complex credit transactions and strategic risk alignment.
Overview
30
30
years of professional experience
Work History
Chief Credit Officer
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Ltd
Ebene
10.2020 - Current
- Executive leader and Risk SLT member, driving credit strategy across Corporate, SME, Retail, Leasing, and Wealth portfolios
- Partnered with business to align credit risk with growth strategy while ensuring compliance with Board-approved risk appetite
- Responsible for Absa's Credit & Risk workstream during the HSBC Mauritius acquisition, including due diligence and integration planning
- Oversee Lending Policy, Sovereign/Country Reviews, stress testing, and portfolio reviews
- Chaired credit committees and sanctioned major transactions across Wholesale, Retail, and Wealth segments
- Joint owner with Finance of credit impairment accuracy and reconciliation
- Drove transformation through operating model improvements, governance enhancements, and board-level risk reporting
- Spearheaded regulatory engagement and audit preparedness to maintain strong compliance posture
- Led people strategy for Credit Risk, building a high-performance team culture and succession pipeline
- Represented Credit Risk at Fincom, Enablement Exco, Business Exco, and ARO Risk SLT
Head of Credit Risk
Maubank
Ebene
11.2018 - 10.2020
- Designed and implemented a comprehensive Credit Risk Management Framework to strengthen risk governance and portfolio oversight
- Developed capacity planning models and established a structured Credit Risk Curriculum to enhance team capability and drive consistent credit standards
- Spearheaded the launch of an integrated Retail and SME lending platform, incorporating advanced credit scoring models to improve turnaround and portfolio quality
- Led enhancements to credit governance, introducing proactive monitoring tools and elevating the quality of Board-level risk reporting
- Strengthened regulatory readiness through proactive engagement with auditors and regulators, ensuring compliance and timely resolution of findings
Head, Wholesale Credit Capability & Portfolio (Africa ex-SA)
Barclays Africa Group
Johannesburg
01.2016 - 11.2018
- Led end-to-end wholesale credit operations across 10 African markets, ensuring alignment with Group strategy and local market needs
- Designed and implemented the Africa Wholesale Credit Target Operating Model to standardize processes and enhance operational efficiency
- Directed group-wide IFRS9 and BCBS 239 compliance projects, improving risk measurement and regulatory alignment
- Championed the development of the SME Credit Operating Model across the region to drive sustainable growth in underserved markets
- Exercised personal lending discretion of up to $18.5M, making risk-aligned decisions on complex credit exposures
Head, Commercial & SME Credit – Africa Region
Barclays Africa Group
Johannesburg
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Oversaw Commercial and SME credit portfolios across 9 African countries, leading cross-border teams under a matrix structure
- Established and embedded governance frameworks as part of the One Africa Credit integration strategy
- Sanctioned high-value transactions and provided portfolio oversight for complex cross-market deals
- Built credit capability through targeted training, coaching, and upskilling of emerging market teams
Sector Head – Client Acquisitions (Corporate & Investment Bank)
Barclays Africa Group
Johannesburg
01.2013 - 01.2014
- Founded and led a new client acquisition credit team focused on structured credit for new-to-bank clients
- Sanctioned transactions within personal discretion and provided strategic support for origination and structuring
- Drove continuous improvement through embedding change initiatives and coaching frontline Relationship Teams
Associate Credit Director
Barclays Corporate Bank
London
01.2010 - 01.2013
- Held individual sanctioning authority up to £20M, managing credit risk across complex corporate transactions
- Partnered closely with Relationship Directors to shape commercially viable, risk-aligned credit structures
- Supported early deal engagement, mentored junior credit professionals, and enhanced analytical capabilities within the team
Wholesale Senior Credit Sanctioner
Barclays Corporate Bank
London
01.2008 - 01.2010
- Sanctioned transactions up to £30M across various sectors, performing detailed due diligence and scenario modeling
- Presented high-value transactions to Credit and Group Credit Committees, contributing to portfolio integrity
- Provided risk-based training to relationship teams, strengthening credit understanding and risk culture
Corporate Credit Manager
Barclays Corporate Bank
London
01.2007 - 01.2008
- Managed credit for a portfolio of Public Sector clients, improving deal structuring and monitoring
- Identified early warning signs and implemented pre-emptive risk mitigation strategies
- Enhanced the quality of credit submissions through financial and risk analysis
Group Treasury Analyst
WS Atkins Plc
London
01.2005 - 01.2007
- Led the Group’s treasury operations and internal audit readiness
- Designed and implemented cash flow forecasting models and FX risk strategies
- Ensured compliance with banking covenants and improved treasury governance
Group Treasury Analyst
Cargill Inc
London
01.2002 - 01.2005
- Managed international treasury reconciliations and intercompany lending arrangements
- Supported global operations through implementation of treasury systems and reporting enhancements
Office Manager
World Racing Network
01.1999 - 01.2001
Relationship Manager
Wesbank Corporate
01.1995 - 01.1999
Treasury
Weathersby’s Bank
01.1995 - 01.1999
Education
PGDip - Management Practice
Henley Business School
Leadership Excellence program -
Barclays ABSA
Business Diploma -
Natal Technikon
Advanced Business Diploma -
Natal Technikon
South African Banking Exams -
First National Bank
Omega Commercial Credit Skills -
Omega Advanced Commercial Credit Skills -
Skills
- Stakeholder Management
- High performance team leadership and motivation
- First class credit assessment and structuring
- Excellent communication
- Presentation
- Negotiation
- Analytical skills
- Team building
- Leadership
- High level of commercial awareness
- Cross-Border Lending
- Emerging Market Expertise
- Policy Formulation
- Regulatory Compliance
- Organizational development
Accomplishments
- Wesbanker of the year
- Wesbank Customer Service of the year
- Consistent Barclays high performance rating
- Stewardship Award – at WS Atkins for guiding the business from manual to online banking
- Rated in the top 25 % for all Directors during the Barclays Top Talent assessments
- First Directors to be nominated and completed the Barclays leadership excellence program
Hobbies and Interests
- Running
- Deep Sea Fishing
- Charity Work
- Travel
Timeline
Chief Credit Officer
Absa Bank (Mauritius) Ltd
10.2020 - Current
Head of Credit Risk
Maubank
11.2018 - 10.2020
Head, Wholesale Credit Capability & Portfolio (Africa ex-SA)
Barclays Africa Group
01.2016 - 11.2018
Head, Commercial & SME Credit – Africa Region
Barclays Africa Group
01.2014 - 01.2016
Sector Head – Client Acquisitions (Corporate & Investment Bank)
Barclays Africa Group
01.2013 - 01.2014
Associate Credit Director
Barclays Corporate Bank
01.2010 - 01.2013
Wholesale Senior Credit Sanctioner
Barclays Corporate Bank
01.2008 - 01.2010
Corporate Credit Manager
Barclays Corporate Bank
01.2007 - 01.2008
Group Treasury Analyst
WS Atkins Plc
01.2005 - 01.2007
Group Treasury Analyst
Cargill Inc
01.2002 - 01.2005
Office Manager
World Racing Network
01.1999 - 01.2001
Relationship Manager
Wesbank Corporate
01.1995 - 01.1999
Treasury
Weathersby’s Bank
01.1995 - 01.1999
PGDip - Management Practice
Henley Business School
Leadership Excellence program -
Barclays ABSA
Business Diploma -
Natal Technikon
Advanced Business Diploma -
Natal Technikon
South African Banking Exams -
First National Bank
Omega Commercial Credit Skills -
Omega Advanced Commercial Credit Skills -
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