CEDRIC K.
NTUMBA

Authentic leadership creates value, transforms organisations, empowers people, and builds resilience. Inspired by this philosophy, he has developed the skills to navigate complexity, unlock growth, and deliver sustainable outcomes. This mirrors Bridle Close’s commitment to providing strategic clarity and impactful leadership.

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Cedric, an ex-Deloitte Chartered Accountant, is a strategic advisor and Chevening Scholar with a career spanning over twenty years. He has broad experience in education, technology, private equity, financial services, and government and regulatory environments. With a unique combination of operational know-how, strategic foresight, and high-level stakeholder engagement, Cedric has consistently delivered transformative outcomes across complex requirements whilst developing high-functioning teams.

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At Deloitte, a "big 4" accountancy firm, Cedric managed external audits and advised financial institutions, private equity firms, and listed corporates, gaining invaluable exposure in navigating financial complexities. This paved the way for him to pursue private equity, financial management, and a broader career in financial services, where he led capital raises, mergers and acquisitions, and financial restructuring, delivering exceptional returns on investment. As a member of the Board of Directors of a listed financial services group, Cedric was involved in its IPO and subsequent governance. This multi-billion-pound entity is engaged in asset-backed lending, credit services, and payment systems assets. 

 

Funded by private equity and family offices, Cedric was instrumental in scaling up Little Ashford into the largest privately owned early years group in South Africa.

 

He has also built and scaled businesses, turned around underperforming assets, and positioned businesses for sustained growth and profitability (with setbacks). He passionately fundraises and project-manages investments and delivers SaaS software and apps in e-commerce, education management, and gaming. This requires setting up strategic, operational, and distribution teams.

 

The University of Oxford's Centre for Global History (Nuffield College) approached Cedric to join its External Advisory Board and expand its reach to grow and connect academic posts, graduate scholarships and visiting professorships. The Centre's achievements result in investments in a more informed, empathetic and interconnected world.

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At SOAS, University of London, Cedric is on the Board responsible for strategy formulation, risk management, and enrolment growth, ensuring resilience in an increasingly complex global tertiary education landscape. As Chair of the leading independent preparatory school in Surrey and the UK, Danes Hill School, he is the custodian, along with the Board, for its strategic direction, positioning and initiatives, including capital development projects, income diversification, and the recruitment of expertise to strengthen organisational leadership. His regulatory acumen is evident in his board-level contributions to the railway regulatory sector, where he influenced policy and ensured compliance with international standards.

 

Cedric has been engaged by both the private and public sectors. His deep understanding of governance frameworks and ability to navigate sensitive political and economic contexts underscore his value as a trusted advisor. He also engages with several family offices, appreciating the enduring impact of philanthropic initiatives. He is Chair of the London Bubble Theatre, Deputy Chair and Treasurer of the Watts Gallery, Chair of the Finance Committee of Learning with Parents, on the Board of Edulution (Switzerland), and the London-based orchestra, Chineke! Cedric has a longstanding interest in supporting refugee/displaced communities in many parts of the world.

 

Recognised, in different ways, for his leadership and well-trodden path, Cedric has received several accolades, including a Deloitte Scholarship, a University of Edinburgh MBA Scholarship (2025 completion), the Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellowship at the University of Oxford and the African Leadership Institute, the Cordes Fellowship (USA), and the Crans Montana Forum Fellowship (Switzerland). He was also named among South Africa’s Top 40 Men Under 40 (Destiny Man, 2010), participated in TEDx and was invited as a speaker at the G20 in Paris by The Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania. 

 

Cedric, a fixed-wing aviator, is fluent in English and a native French speaker. He has a global perspective and a vast network across the UK, Europe, Africa, and, increasingly, the Middle East. Whether guiding through transformational growth, advising on strategic financial decisions, or shaping governance frameworks, Cedric’s expertise and visionary leadership make him and Bridle Close trusted partners.

Email: cedric@bridleclose.com