In the first half of 2011, Maria Ramos managed a 19% rise in profits at Absa Group, majority-owned by Barclays and South Africa's largest bank, and despite continued lending caution expects the second half to follow suit. This year the economics-trained chief began the integration of Barclays and Absa's African units as part of its "One Bank in Africa" strategy and to push regional growth. Before coming to Absa in 2009, Ramos had a rich public-sector career. She was the Group Chief Executive of Transnet Limited, the state-owned rail, pipeline and ports agency. From 1996 to 2003, Ramos served as South Africa's director general of the National Treasury for its first post-apartheid government. She moves between a high-octane job and high-profile life, married to South African politician Trevor Manuel, who served as finance minister for over a decade.

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