Tidjane Thiam became the first African to lead a FTSE 100 listed company upon his appointment as chief executive of Prudential plc in 2009. Born in 1962 in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, he built a career spanning international finance, government administration, and infrastructure development, navigating complex political shifts in his home country before attaining executive positions in global banking.
Academic and Early Professional Foundation
Thiam was educated at the Lycée classique d'Abidjan and the Lycée privé Sainte-Geneviève before moving to Paris. In 1982, he entered the École polytechnique, followed by studies at Mines ParisTech from 1984 to 1986. He furthered his education with an MBA from INSEAD, completed in 1988. He began his professional career with McKinsey & Company in 1986, working within the firm until 1994, with a brief sabbatical for the World Bank's Young Professionals Program.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Government Service in Ivory Coast
In 1994, Thiam returned to the Ivory Coast to lead the National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development, managing infrastructure projects and economic advisory roles. In 1998, he was appointed Minister of Planning and Development. During this tenure, he focused on privatising state assets, including utilities and transport sectors. Following a 1999 military coup, he left his government position and exited the country in 2000.
Corporate Leadership in Europe
After returning to Europe, Thiam rejoined McKinsey & Company in Paris. He moved to Aviva in 2002, holding several executive roles before joining Prudential plc in 2007 as chief financial officer. Appointed CEO in 2009, he led the firm until 2015. He later served as the chief executive officer of Credit Suisse from 2015 to 2020. His recent business activities include serving as executive chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corp, which merged with Complete Solaria in 2023.
Professional Affiliations and Recognition
Thiam has maintained broad involvement in international organisations. He is a member of the Group of Thirty and joined the International Olympic Committee in 2019. In 2020, he was appointed to the board of directors of the Kering Foundation, where he also chaired the Audit Committee. His contributions to the business sector were formally recognised in 2011 when he was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour.
Fast facts
- Born: 1962, Abidjan, Ivory Coast
- Education: École polytechnique (1982-1984), Mines ParisTech (1984-1986), INSEAD (1986-1988)
- Minister of Planning and Development: 1998-2000
- Prudential plc CEO: 2009-2015
- Credit Suisse CEO: 2015-2020
- Knight of the Legion of Honour: 2011
- International Olympic Committee Member: 2019
- Languages: French, German, English
Questions readers ask
Was Tidjane Thiam ever a minister?
Yes, he served as the Minister of Planning and Development in Ivory Coast between 1998 and 2000.
Which major companies has he led as CEO?
He served as the CEO of Prudential plc from 2009 to 2015 and the CEO of Credit Suisse from 2015 to 2020.
Achievements
- Knight of the Legion of Honour — 2011
- Affiliated with McKinsey & Company, McKinsey & Company and Credit Suisse
- Educated at École polytechnique and Mines ParisTech
