Absa Group Limited, the South African financial services group, has announced that Nadine Drutman will step down as its group company secretary on January 31, 2027, ending a 20-year career with the institution.

The Johannesburg-based group disclosed the leadership change in a regulatory notice issued on October 30, 2026, informing shareholders and noteholders that Drutman will also relinquish her position as company secretary of Absa Bank Limited on the same date.

Nadine Drutman has served as Absa’s company secretary for 14 years, having been appointed to the position in May 2012. The group said her successor would be announced in due course, subject to the necessary regulatory approvals.

Two decades at Absa Group

Nadine Drutman joined Absa in 2006 as head of reward in the human resources division. During her time with the group, she took on several senior responsibilities, including acting head of human resources and chief of staff to the chief executive.

Her appointment as group company secretary in May 2012 marked a significant transition in her career, placing her at the centre of the group’s board administration and corporate governance framework.

In the role, she has advised the board and individual directors on their fiduciary responsibilities, corporate governance requirements and established practices.

A key role in corporate governance

As company secretary, Nadine Drutman has supported the board in meeting its governance obligations and maintaining effective oversight. Her responsibilities include advising directors on their duties and ensuring that the board operates within applicable corporate governance requirements.

According to her professional profile, she has unfettered access to the group chairman, while her office is sufficiently resourced to discharge its responsibilities. Her 14-year tenure in the position spans a significant period in Absa’s development, following its separation from Barclays Africa Group and its subsequent rebranding as Absa Group in 2018.

Board acknowledges her contribution

Absa’s board thanked Drutman for her significant contribution to the group over the years and wished her well following her departure.

The company said details of her successor would be communicated once the required regulatory approvals had been secured.

The announcement covers both Absa Group and Absa Bank, which operate under separate JSE disclosure requirements. Absa Group is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange under the share code ABG, while Absa Bank is a debt and specialist securities issuer.

Nadine Drutman’s departure will therefore mark the end of a long-standing governance leadership role across the two entities, with the group preparing for a transition ahead of January 2027.