Tidjane Thiam

Tidjane Thiam is an Ivorian-French executive with a diverse career encompassing finance, government, and business leadership. He is known for his tenure as the CEO of Credit Suisse from 2015 to 2020, during which he implemented significant restructuring to hone the bank's focus on wealth management and emerging markets. This period under his leadership was marked by strategic cost-cutting measures and enhanced profitability.

Thiam was born in the Ivory Coast (Republic of Côte d'Ivoire) into a politically active family. He pursued his education in France, obtaining engineering degrees from the École Polytechnique and the École Nationale Supérieure des Mines de Paris, followed by an MBA from INSEAD. His professional journey began in management consulting at McKinsey & Company in Paris and New York, specializing in strategy for financial services, and later became a partner leading their Financial Institutions practice.

Before leading Credit Suisse, Thiam had a significant stint at Prudential plc as CEO from 2009 to 2015, where he was noted for being the first Black CEO of a FTSE 100 company. His leadership was instrumental in expanding Prudential's operations in Asia and other emerging markets, which significantly boosted the company's profitability. His early career also featured a role as Chief Executive and Chairman of the National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development in Côte d'Ivoire and as a cabinet member serving as Secretary of Planning and Development.

Thiam's influence extends beyond corporate leadership. He has held several significant board and advisory roles, including non-executive director positions at Aviva and Arkema, and memberships in the Association of British Insurers, the Overseas Development Institute, the Africa Progress Panel, and the UK-ASEAN Business Council. Additionally, his contributions to global economic discussions are marked by his involvement with the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group since January 2012 and the European Financial Round Table since January 2013.

Recognized for his contributions to the industry, Thiam was honored with the Légion d’Honneur by the French President in July 2011. He continues to advocate for diversity and inclusion within the corporate sphere, emphasizing the importance of representation in business and finance. Thiam remains a prominent figure in global finance, actively participating in various boards and philanthropic endeavors.