Tidjane Thiam

Tidjane’s Biography

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Tidjane Thiam is a prominent Ivorian and French businessman and is the Executive Chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corporation 1 – a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation. He divides his time between New York, Paris and Zürich.

With more than three decades of experience in the global financial services industry, Tidjane established Freedom Acquisition to capitalise on his vast knowledge of operating and scaling international financial services firms in ever-changing conditions.

He has held various leadership positions at major financial services companies. He was the CEO of Credit Suisse for six years, successfully restructuring the firm’s trading and investment banking business and bringing in record-breaking profits. He also grew the bank’s wealth management activities. While at the company, Tidjane was honoured with a Euromoney Award for Banker of the Year in 2018.

Before Credit Suisse, he was the Group CFO and later Group CEO of Prudential, directing the transformation of the firm’s Asia business into a leading franchise across the region, doubling operating profit, increasing... Tidjane Thiam is a prominent Ivorian and French businessman and is the Executive Chairman of Freedom Acquisition Corporation 1 – a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation. He divides his time between New York, Paris and Zürich.

With more than three decades of experience in the global financial services industry, Tidjane established Freedom Acquisition to capitalise on his vast knowledge of operating and scaling international financial services firms in ever-changing conditions.

He has held various leadership positions at major financial services companies. He was the CEO of Credit Suisse for six years, successfully restructuring the firm’s trading and investment banking business and bringing in record-breaking profits. He also grew the bank’s wealth management activities. While at the company, Tidjane was honoured with a Euromoney Award for Banker of the Year in 2018.

Before Credit Suisse, he was the Group CFO and later Group CEO of Prudential, directing the transformation of the firm’s Asia business into a leading franchise across the region, doubling operating profit, increasing dividends ten-fold, and nearly doubling new business premiums.

Earlier in his career, Tidjane held leadership roles at British insurance company Aviva, including CEO of Europe and Group Executive Director. Before launching his career in banking, Tidjane held public office in Côte d'Ivoire as Secretary of Development and Planning, and led the National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development as CEO.

Tidjane sits on the Boards of Kering and Rwanda Finance, and is a Member of various global organisations, including the World Economic Forum, the International Olympic Committee and the Council for Inclusive Capitalism, where he advises the Pope in a similar capacity. He was also named a Special Envoy by the African Union.

Amongst several career honours, Tidjane is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour and was named by INSEAD as one of 50 Alumni Who Changed The World. moreless

Tidjane’s Newsfeed

The Telegraph

Tidjane Thiam plots his comeback with $1.5bn deal

The Telegraph delves into the reinvention of Tidjane, Executive Chairman of Freedom Acquisiton Corporation 1, and his return to the world of global finance.

Tidjane’s Background

Freedom Acquisition Corporation 1

Executive Chairman

Jan 2021 - Present

London, UK

Freedom Acquisition Corporation 1 is a Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation launched by Tidjane, Abhishek Bhatia and Adam Gishen. It aims to use their extensive experience in acquiring, developing, managing and scaling international financial services firms to add value to companies through direct involvement with leadership teams and empowering businesses to scale to improve profitability.

Credit Suisse

Group Chief Executive Officer

2015 - Feb 2020

Zürich, CH

Founded in 1856, Credit Suisse Group AG is a Swiss-based international investment bank and financial services business. The company provides comprehensive solutions, advisory services, and innovative products to entrepreneurs, businesses and institutions worldwide.

Prudential plc

Group Chief Executive

2009 - 2015

London, UK

Prudential is a health and life insurance company that also supervises assets, with a focus on Asia and Africa. The firm assists individuals in making the most of their lives by making healthcare more accessible and affordable.

Prudential plc

Chief Financial Officer

2008 - 2009

London, UK

Tidjane started his career at Prudential as the Chief Financial Officer in London. Prudential was founded in 1848 and is a leading insurance corporation headquartered in the United Kingdom.

Aviva plc

CEO Europe

2006 - 2008

London, UK

Established in 2000, Aviva is a prominent savings, retirement, investment and insurance corporation based in the United Kingdom. It serves approximately 18 million clients in its main markets of the United Kingdom, Canada, and Ireland.

Aviva plc

Various Roles

2002 - 2006

London, UK

Tidjane had various roles during his time at Aviva, such as International Managing Director and Group Strategy and Development Director.

McKinsey & Company

Partner

2000 - 2002

Paris, FR

Established in 1926, McKinsey & Company is a leading management consultancy firm. It is the oldest and largest of the "Big Three" management consultancies, the world's top three consultancy corporations in terms of revenue.

National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development (BNETD)

Minister of Planning & Development

Apr 1994 - 1999

Arrah, CI

Founded in 1978, the National Office of Technical Studies and Development has been the affluent branch of the Government of Côte d'Ivoire, responsible for aiding in the execution of development projects through control, design studies, and advice. Tidjane served as CEO until 1999 before he formally joined Cabinet and was appointed Minister of Planning and Development in 1999.

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Tidjane’s Gallery

Tidjane Thiam speaking at a Credit Suisse event.

Tidjane Thiam in a portrait corporate photograph.

Tidjane Thiam at the Credit Suisse offices in ICC in West Kowloon.

Tidjane Thiam alongside Helman Sitohang briefing the media.

Current Board Positions

Kering

Chairman of the Audit Committee

Jun 2020 - Present

Paris, FR

Kering is a global luxury goods corporation based in France that was founded in 1963. Balenciaga, Bottega Veneta, Gucci, Alexander McQueen, and Yves Saint Laurent are among its fashion brands.

Rwanda Finance

Chairman of the Board of Directors

Nov 2020 - Present

Kigali, RW

Rwanda Finance Limited encourages and develops Rwanda as a top financial location in Africa for overseas investment and cross-border operations. It works with major backers to build and promote Kigali International Financial Centre. Tidjane was appointed Chairman of the Board of Directors, and is responsible for promoting Rwanda as a global financial center.

Previous Board Positions

National Bureau for Technical Studies and Development (BNETD)

Various roles

Apr 1994 - 1999

Arrah, CI

During his time at BNETD, Tidjane was Chairman of the Board and a Member of the Privatisation Committee, where he was responsible for privatising extensive state-owned assets.

21st Century Fox

Member of the Board of Directors

Nov 2014 - Aug 2019

New York, NY, USA

21st Century Fox was a large global American media company located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City. Founded in 2013, the corporation mainly operated in the television and film industry.

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Current Advisory Roles

Council on Foreign Relations

Member of Global Board of Advisors

Jan 2017 - Present

New York, NY, USA

Founded in 1921, the Council on Foreign Relations, also known as CFR, is a membership association, think tank, and publishing house that is independent and nonpartisan.

Previous Advisory Roles

World Bank Institute

Member of External Advisory Council

1999 - 2002

Washington, DC, USA

The World Bank Institute is one of the World Bank Group's primary mechanisms for improving individual, organisational, and institutional capacity among developing countries through information sharing.

UK Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group

Member

London, UK

The Prime Minister's Business Advisory Group is a select group of corporate executives from industries of strategic importance to the UK who provide the Prime Minister with frequent advice.

Media

Billionaire families stand behind Tidjane Thiam's Spac

Featured

2021

More on Tidjane Thiam's recently launched Special Purpose Acquisition Corporation, Freedom Acquisition Corporation, and the network of wealthy individuals supporting it.

Chairman Tidjane Thiam first visit to Kigali International Financial Centre

Featured

2021

In this video, Tidjane meets and speaks to the individuals at Kigali International Financial Centre.

Interviews

Tidjane Thiam: "I have always done everything to help Côte d'Ivoire and I will continue"

Interviewee

Dec 2021

In this French interview, Tidjane and Jeune Afrique discusses the pandemic, the difficulties of vaccine production in Africa, and the expectations raised by IMF assistance.

Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane Thiam on Leaving Bank

Interviewee

Feb 2020

In this Bloomberg interview, former Credit Suisse CEO Tidjane explores the company's earnings, its outlook under new CEO Thomas Gottstein, and his long-term plans.

Features

Tidjane Thiam plots his comeback with $1.5bn deal

Quoted

Jan 2022

This article by The Telegraph delves into the reinvention of Tidjane following his return to the world of global finance.

Tidjane Thiam: the man who traded politics for finance after military coup

Quoted

Feb 2020

The Guardian takes an in-depth look at Tidjane Thiam's tenure at Prudential, how he traded politics for financial services, his career journey, and more.

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Memberships

International Olympic Committee

Member of the Finance Commission of the IOC

Jun 2019 - Present

Lausanne, CH

Established in 1894, the International Olympic Committee is the Olympic Movement's ultimate authority. The Committee helps to ensure the Olympic Games are held on a regular basis, endorses all partnered member organisations of the Olympic Movement, and actively encourages the advancement of Olympic principles.

Council for Inclusive Capitalism

Member

2019 - Present

New York, NY, USA

The Council for Inclusive Capitalism is a global initiative of leading business and government figures working to create a more inclusive, durable and dependable economic system. The organisation is a channel for action, a learning community, and a movement for transformation.

Group of Thirty

Member

2014 - Present

Washington, DC, USA

The Group of Thirty is a global organisation of financiers and academics formed in 1978. Its mission is to improve the understanding of financial and economic problems and to evaluate the repercussions of public- and private-sector decision making.

World Economic Forum

Member of the International Business Council

Geneva, CH

Formed in 1971, the World Economic Forum brings together the world's most influential political, industry and cultural executives to shape regional, global and industry initiatives.

Council on State Fragility

Member

London, UK

The Council on State Fragility promotes evidence-based thinking and innovative ideas in international discussion forums, working to form a consensus among global sectors and countries affected by fragility and crisis on unique ways to tackle state fragility.

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Awards & Endorsements

Euromoney Banker of the Year 2018

Award Recipient

Jul 2018

London, UK

Tidjane was named "Banker of the Year 2018" by finance and business magazine Euromoney in July 2018, mentioning his "radical three-year plan" that had "reinvented" Credit Suisse.

National Order of the Legion of Honour

Chevalier

Jul 2011

Paris, FR

Tidjane is a Chevalier of the French Legion of Honour. Established in 1802, The National Order of the Legion of Honour is France's greatest military and civil order of merit.

Powerlist 2010 and 2011

Honoured

2011

London, UK

The Powerlist is an annual list of the UK's 100 most powerful people of African or African Caribbean descent. Tidjane took top position on the list in 2010 and 2011.

The 2010 TIME 100

Honoured

Apr 2010

London, UK

The TIME 100 is an annual list of 100 of the most influential people in the world. In 2010, Tidjane was featured in the TIME 100 issue in recognition of his leadership and influence.

50 Alumni Who Changed The World

Award Recipient

2009

Fontainebleau, FR

Tidjane was awarded the "50 Alumni Who Changed the World" award by INSEAD, as part of their 50th anniversary celebrating 38,000 graduates.

INSEADer of the Year Award

Award Recipient

Oct 2007

Paris, FR

In 2007, Tidjane was awarded the INSEADer of the Year Award by the Insead Alumnus Association.

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Public Service

African Union

Special Envoy on Covid-19

Apr 2020 - Present

Addis Ababa, ET

Founded in 2002, The African Union is a continental alliance comprised of 55 member states situated on the African continent. In 2020, the African Union nominated Tidjane as Special Envoy to seek international assistance in dealing with the financial consequences of the coronavirus pandemic.

Africa Progress Panel

Member

2005 - 2018

Zürich, CH

The Africa Progress Panel was a Swiss-based organisation formed in 2007 aimed at influencing policy by integrating diplomacy, cutting-edge analysis and advocacy.

UK Trade & Investment (UKTI)

Business Ambassador

2011 - 2015

London, UK

UK Trade & Investment (replaced by the Department for International Trade) was a Government department that worked with UK-based companies to help them improve in international markets, as well as with international investors interested in investing in the UK. Tidjane served as a Business Ambassador of the department until 2015.

G20 High Level Panel for Infrastructure Investment

Chairman

2011 - 2012

The High Level Panel for Infrastructure Investment prepared recommendations for the G20 Summit on how to encourage and boost infrastructure investment and financing in emerging markets. Tidjane was one of 12 non-executive panel members who were chosen for their experience and involvement in the development of public-private financing partnerships.

Commission for Africa

Member

The Commission for Africa, also known as the Blair Commission for Africa, was an initiative launched in 2004 by British Prime Minister Tony Blair to examine and raise awareness surrounding development and key issues in Africa.

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Speaking Engagements

Guest Speaker: Tidjane Thiam at the MBA'21J Graduation Ceremony

Guest Speaker

Jul 2021

Tidjane is a guest speaker at the INSEAD 2021 Graduation Ceremony. He talks about his career journey and his own graduation, and shares personal stories.