THE BANOLT TEAM
Olamilekan Banks Akindunni
CEO, BANOLT
Olamilekan Banks Akindunni is a GIA-Certified gemologist. He founded BANOLT after discovering the need to showcase natural and ethically-sourced gemstones from Africa.
Banks has an MSc. in Investments and Quantitative Finance from London, England; and an MBA from HULT International Business School, Boston, USA. He is also an 'Ex-Boy' from the prestigious Nigerian Military School, Zaria and an alumnus of the Gemological Institute of America.
He has over 17 years of experience in international trade and this has enabled him to garner an extensive global network of clients and strategic partners. He has gained specialisms in International Brokerage, Contract Negotiation, Strategy, Global Sourcing and Procurement. These have been highly instrumental in establishing a strong supply network for Banolt.
He has worked with brands like Amazon, Dynamex and Royal Mail where he held management positions in Operations and Logistics.
He is responsible for driving the strategic vision for Banolt, leading business development, sourcing and strategic partnerships to deliver ethically-sourced gemstones and minerals from Africa to the world.
Darlington Omoruyi
Strategy & Investor Relations
Darlington Omoruyi’s experience lies in finance and investment. He has worked closely with senior investment officials from across the world to find solutions to investment challenges. This has taken him through various State Investment agencies such as Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWF), Central Banks, Pension Funds, DFIs etc.
In Africa, Darlington has been involved in promoting the establishments of SWFs as a means to save for development. He has also encouraged investments in mining.
He is a Trustee of the Center for Ethical Mining Nigeria. His participation in African investments has seen him work with investment advisory firms including Private Equity and commercial banks.
Darlington holds a Master’s degree in Information Management and Finance and a Bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Economics
Premaratne Wijemunige
Lapidarist
Premaratne Wijemunige is a Sri Lankan Lapidarist who is very skilled in the art of cutting and polishing gemstones for top jewelers around the world. He is from a family of gemstone cutters and has been in the business for over half a century. Premaratne is well-traveled and has helped set up lapidaries in Africa and Asia. He has also trained and mentored hundreds of gemstone cutters across the globe.
Premaratne has been working with Banolt since 2012. He and Banks met after he was referred to him by one of Bank’s clients in New York. Prem has worked with Banolt on projects in Nigeria, Thailand and SriLanka.
