Model-Scouting and management company, FeW Models, has confirmed the stepping down of its founder, Bolajo Fawehinmi, as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Peace Ibeh to take charge, effective July 31, 2022.

In a statement, issued yesterday, in Lagos, Fawehinmi said the decision was for her to play a more passive role in the company.

During her tenure, the founder led the firm through significant milestones, including birthing a partnership with one of world’s biggest agencies, IMG models, as first African partner and creating a new generation of models consisting of Eniola Abioro, Bola Edun, Olamide Ogundele, Dotain Yeshitela and Feyi May. 

She expressed confidence in the future of the company and Ibeh’s capacity in taking the organisation to the next stage.

“Upon joining the team in 2021 as model development manager, Ibeh has launched numerous models’ careers like Feyi May, who had her debut work for Versace at the Milan Fashion Week in February 2022,” Fawehinmi recalled.

She said while remaining the founder and chairperson, the company’s board of directors would be working with her to give Ibeh the necessary support to guarantee a better future, which she tagged, ‘the journey to become Africa’s first Africa-million-dollar-valued model-scouting and management agency’, that guarantees models and their careers a “momentous present and a sustainable future.”

The statement further quoted Fawehinmi as saying: “After seven years as Founder and CEO of FeW, the time for a change has come.  Effective July 31, 2022, I officially stepped down from my role as CEO of the company.

“I believe FeW’s most innovative days are ahead and I look forward to watching, cheering and contributing to its successes and goals in my capacity as founder and chairperson.

“It has been an immense privilege sharing these past seven years with such a great institution like FeW and teammates, who are dedicated to the same course as mine. I believe that I am leaving an organisation well positioned to meet the opportunities and challenges of becoming an industry leader.

“With this, I implore your kindness, warm welcome and continued support to my successor and long-time protégé, Peace Ibeh, who is continuing in the capacity as a director, overseeing management and operations of the company.”