A blog from Gavin Hinks, editor of Accountancy Age
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21 Sep 2007
Rarely have I seen a CV as, well, arresting, as the one I read when the Prudential announced that Philip Broadley will step down as FD in April next year to be succeeded by one Tidjane Thiam.
Now,
(and this is a dangerous thing for a business journalist to do, so please don’t
crucify me) I have to confess at not knowing too much about Thiam so I looked
him up.
So at the risk of repeating a column in next week's Accountancy Age, here’s
a flavour of that remarkable CV. He was born in the Ivory Coast and is currently chief
executive of Aviva Europe. Highly respected he has been on speaking platforms with
luminaries such as chancellor Alistair Darling, George Osborne and FSA chief
regulator John Tiner. He studied engineering at top schools in Paris and got his MB from INSEAD.
He joined McKinsey in the early 80s, later became a partner and in 1998 was named one of the 100 Global Leaders of Tomorrow by the World Economic Forum. The WEF also cited him as being a candidate for a dream board. He returned to the Ivory Coast and became minister for planning and development after first being CEO of the country’s National Bureau for Technical Studies. Following a coup in 1999 he left to rejoin McKinsey in Paris and then joined Aviva working his way up to CEO.Out of breath. I am. That’s an astonishing CV. There can’t be an FD in the country, or anywhere for that matter, with a history like that. But here’s the odd thing. He’s a CEO becoming a group FD. Not a common event. That almost never happens, except where CEOs are running much smaller divisions. The record shows Thiam is obviously a very talented and ambitious individual. Who would dare say that he will stop at being FD? In fact you wouldn’t. Clearly this is a man who must be tipped for the top and won't remain a Group FD for too long.
Visitor comments
Thiam is a goof example of what african can achieve if they put their minds to something.He ranked 7th at the examination entry for ecole polytechnique(the best in france).The exams are among the toughest in maths and physics you can get.Then,he graduated 1st from the prestigious ecole des mines( a major fit!).Good luck
Posted by: kossinaa , 04 Jul 2008
I had the privilege of meeting Tidjane for the first time at Aviva and can honestly say he is one of the most personable and engaging individuals I have ever met. Despite his amazing career and experience he has his feet on the ground which is a rare, but extremely valuable asset for FTSE 100 leaders. Good luck Tidjane.
Posted by: kevin roberts , 07 Jul 2008
It is amazing that French educated talents get a better deal in anglo-saxon countries than in France.Africans like Thiam,Moctar Fall of Salomons Brothers,Geogia Tech Wilfrid Gangbo,Fassy Kafyeke,etc... who excelled in French schools are often constrained by racism to look somewhere else for better opportunities.Sad France!
Posted by: ben bewa , 10 Oct 2008
Mr Thiam is the great example to all, he did not sit back and wait for his inheritance, instead he put his thinking cap on and studied for all his qualifications, and susbsequently those qualifications together with his determination to succeed propelled him to where and who he is today. He showed to all that, one must not capitalise on one's family's status. He put at side the fact that his mother is the niece of the late President Houphouet Boigny, and fought for himself. He is a great inspiration. Thankfully I am also highly qualified with a
BA(Hons)Degree and a Master Degree. However I haven't got a great job yet, but his successful story has now fuelled me to continue looking for that great job to match my qualifications.
Well done Mr Thiam.
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Posted by: nigeria forum , 17 Dec 2009
I think Mr Thiam is a great inspiration to all talented and ambitious individuals, not just Africans. He has demonstrated remarkable ability and determination to adapt and excel in varied roles & industries in his professional life which is an exceptional attribute.
Despite all this, I hear he is a down to earth guy!
May God continue to bless you Mr Thiam.
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After reading in depth about Mr. Thiam, I profoundly find great respect and unconditional love for whatever he has done and achieved down the years. He undeniably comes from a modest background, but has worked hard to get where he is right now. This is a good sign of yet another great African mind that beats the streotypes and prejudice peddled in many boardrooms with reference to Africans. Well done Mr. Thiam, you make me proud of what I am.
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