New Generation Platform has a wide range of leaders from different backgrounds, bringing a great wealth of wisdom, result orientation, insight and experience to our organisation.
Mr. Damian Aku (Chairman)
Mr. Aku has been appointed as board President of New Generation Platform.
Mr. Aku is currently the Team Manager CDD/ Senior Signatory CDU ING BANK N.V. Amsterdam. Sparring partner/participant in high level discussions with policy makers including: Bank-wide Customer Domain (BCD), Bank Compliance and Risk Management (BCRM) and Compliance on CDD policies and efficient processing procedures, representing CDD/CDU Amsterdam department to ensure effective and efficient implementation. Involved in the decision-making process for MIFID, FATCA, CRS and ESR including classification and application of FATCA/CRS types and rules. Setting up and carrying out training for analysts and signatories to ensure a good understanding of the processes.
Mr. Aku has previously work at different capacities ABN AMRO BANK N.V. Amsterdam Account Reviewer at Wholesale Bank Clients, Responsible for assessing new and existing clients' risk and ensuring that due diligence is conducted in a thorough and timely manner, including: Endorsing new and existing client request for opening of new accounts or trading on new products.
Grand Bazar B.V. Amsterdam, Retail store manager: Responsible for the management and day to day operations of the store and providing leadership to the employees.
Agrifirma B.V. Aalsmeer, Assistant Accountant (internship): Responsible for invoice control, reconciliation of invoices and recording of purchase and sales invoices including timely delivery of accounting information to the Financial Manager for internal control
Sebieric Nigeria Ltd. Port Harcourt, Nigeria, Accounting Technician: Responsible for bookkeeping, journal entries and account reconciliation including: Timely delivery of accounting information to the account manager. Participating in internal controls.
Mr Aku holds a master Degree in Accounting and Control from Vrije University Amsterdam, The Netherlands, Bachelor degree in International Business Amsterdam School of Business (HES), The Netherlands and Higher National Diploma in Business Administration and Management from Federal Polytechnic Nekede, Owerri, Nigeria
Mr. Julius Nwankpa (Treasurer)
Mr Nwankpa is a Certified Expert in SME Finance. He has a Bachelor and Masters in Accounting & Control, from The Hague University of Applied Sciences in the Netherlands and is currently studying for a second Master degree in Development Finance at Frankfurt School of Finance & Management, in Germany.
Mr. Nwankpa is a Project Budget Officer at the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC), an autonomous financial institution established within the framework of the United Nations. CFC, where he works with the development of commodity sector and access to finance, and Nigeria is one of the beneficiary countries. The interface Ministry of CFC in Nigeria, is the Federal Ministry of Industry, Trade and investment.
Mr. Nwankpa's knowledge of the processes and procedures at CFC is of immense importance to Nigerian MSMEs interested in seeking international funding assistance for agribusiness and commodities enhancement. Economic developments and sustainability in Nigeria is of his core interest.
Mr Nwankpa has been an active member of the NIDO-Netherlands since he re joined the group for the second time towards the end of 2013. He was a member of NIDO-NL extended BOT. He also participated in the NIDOE committee that planned the intended NIDOE Business Forum for the NIDOE self-sponsored 2015 diaspora day In Nigeria. He is also a member of NIDO-NL Business Forum committee.
Ms. Cynthia Ricardo (Secretary)
Ms. Ricardo is an independent Life Coach, Trainer and Empowerer and Motivational Speaker. She has a background and vast experience in banking in the areas of local branch management, Derivatives, Treasury and Customer Due Diligence. After working for over 17 years in the banking industry she took the bold step to make a career switch to do what her heart was skipping for all along. She is also the senior leader of Crusaders, a young vibrant church in Amsterdam.
She holds a Bachelor degree in Business Administration and enjoys travelling in her free time.