The Programme
Continued impact, on your terms.
The Cedar Entrepreneur-in-Residence Programme is designed for accomplished insurance executives who wish to continue making a meaningful contribution, outside the constraints of a full-time executive role.
Who should apply
Senior insurance executives with deep operating experience.
We welcome expressions of interest from professionals across the value chain. Twenty-two roles where Cedar engagements most often surface:
- Former Managing Directors & CEOs
- Executive Directors
- Chief Financial Officers
- Chief Operating Officers
- Chief Risk Officers
- Chief Underwriting Officers
- Chief Claims Officers
- Chief Marketing Officers
- Chief Information Officers
- Chief Technology Officers
- Chief Human Resources Officers
- Chief Compliance Officers
- Chief Internal Auditors
- Company Secretaries
- Chief Actuaries
- Transformation Executives
- Strategy Executives
- Investment Professionals with Insurance Experience
- Regulatory Specialists
- Experienced Independent Directors
- Insurance Consultants
- Specialists across the insurance value chain
What we look for
A high bar, and a transparent one.
Successful candidates typically share these nine attributes.
15+ years insurance experience
A deep track record across underwriting, claims, finance, operations, distribution, technology, or governance.
Demonstrated executive leadership
Leadership of organisations, business units, or transformation programmes at scale.
Strategic thinking
The ability to read context across market, regulator, capital and customer, then translate it into action.
Commercial judgement
Outcomes-led decision making, with a feel for value, risk, and pace.
Regulatory understanding
Fluency with the operating environment, including NIIRA 2025 and broader supervisory expectations.
Integrity and professionalism
A standard of conduct that boards, regulators and investors recognise.
Excellent communication
Plain, board-ready writing and speaking. The ability to brief decision-makers under pressure.
Collaborative working style
A bias toward joint delivery with management, advisers and other Cedar partners.
Passion for the sector
A conviction that a stronger Nigerian insurance industry is worth the work.
Why join the programme
A clear set of benefits for senior leaders who want to keep building.
High-impact assignments
Contribute to transformational initiatives shaping Nigeria’s insurance industry.
Senior network
Collaborate with senior executives, investors, regulators, and advisers.
Flexible engagement
Choose assignments based on your expertise and availability.
Continuous learning
Participate in knowledge-sharing sessions and industry roundtables.
Meaningful impact
Help strengthen institutions that serve millions of Nigerians.
Lasting legacy
Build the institutions and standards the next decade of the industry will depend on.
The process
Five steps. Transparent at every stage.
- 01
Submit Expression of Interest
Send your CV, biography, areas of expertise, preferred engagement type, and availability.
- 02
Initial review
Cedar Operating Partners reviews submissions against current and anticipated engagements.
- 03
Interview and assessment
A structured professional interview and capability assessment with our partners.
- 04
Network acceptance
Acceptance into the Cedar Entrepreneur-in-Residence network.
- 05
Engagement matching
Matching with suitable client engagements as opportunities arise.
Be part of the transformation
Your experience. Their future.
Submit an expression of interest to join the Cedar Entrepreneur-in-Residence network. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.