Meet Viola Graham-Douglas: Lafarge Africa’s New Communications, Public Affairs and Sustainability Development Director

Boasting a rich career trajectory spanning over a decade in corporate communications, the brilliant and evergreen Viola Graham-Douglas has taken on a new mantle of leadership, currently serving as Lafarge Africa’s Communications, Public Affairs, and Sustainability Development Director. In this esteemed role, she spearheads the development and execution of communication strategies, public affairs initiatives, and sustainability programs for Lafarge Africa.

Graham-Douglas commenced her professional journey in the Nigerian banking sector, where she held various roles in esteemed financial institutions. Transitioning to Lafarge Africa Plc, formerly known as WAPCO Cement, she initially served as Treasury Manager, later ascending to the position of Company Secretary/Head of Corporate Services. Her journey led her to the Lafarge Group Headquarters in Paris, broadening her global perspective.

Within the Lafarge conglomerate, she held the mantle of Managing Director at Atlas Cement, a subsidiary of Lafarge, and assumed the role of Country Communications Director. Graham-Douglas’s tenure at Guinness Nigeria marked a significant chapter in her career, where she served as Corporate Relations Director on June 1, 2017, driving the corporate relations agenda of the company, overseeing the relationship between the company and its critical internal and external stakeholders as well as handling the company’s sustainable development and implementation of the corporate social investments.

Again, at Guinness Nigeria Plc, Viola served as Director IPS, Reserve and Modern Trade on March 1st 2021 where she was responsible for the sale of Imported Premium Spirits, Reserve (High-end) products and D-commerce strategy.

Based on her diverse career which encompasses stints in legal, finance, communications, audit, and operations across the banking and cement industries, there is no doubt that she has indeed accumulated worth of experience under her belt.

Academically, Graham-Douglas holds a Bachelor’s degree in Law from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ife, and was called to the Nigerian Bar. She furthered her education with a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Sheffield Hallam University, United Kingdom in 1999, and an MSc in Investment Management from Cass Business School, UK. She is also a British Council Chevening scholar.

As a testament to her dedication to professional growth, she is a member of the Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators, underscoring her commitment to professional excellence and continuous learning.

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Beyond her professional pursuits, Viola Graham-Douglas is a committed Arsenal football club supporter. Her passion for exploration extends to her love for travel, having visited 53 countries so far and counting. She also loves to indulge in discovering new cuisines.

Viola is passionate about creating and leaving a positive impact. She brings this to bear in all her interactions in life. She is known for her dedication to duty and her commitment to achieving results. She is also a stickler for excellence as well as keen on delivering results. She is recognized for her reliability as a team player with zero tolerance policy for excuses.

By: Diella Teku/Marketingworld Magazine