WITHOUT PREJUDICE

In a career that has seen him face coup leaders in his native Ivory Coast and lead some of the most prestigious Western financial institutions Tidjane Thiam has blazed a trail through African and European politics and business After a childhood in tumultuous west and north Africa Thiam broke barriers in the elitist world of French higher education becoming one of the first black consultants at McKinsey and Company before entering the Ivorian government After a coup forced him into exile he joined the world of finance where his rise saw him named as CEO of Prudential in London and Credit Suisse in Zurich Along the way he was trained and supported by many both in the public and private sector who made his many achievements as a leader possible However his rise to prominence as the only African black and Muslim boss of large Western corporations was also accompanied with disproportionate public and media scrutiny as well as racism and xenophobia A blend of autobiography business politics and personal philosophy his book offers a unique vantage point on corporate and political life in Africa Europe the United States and Asia In a story that spans from his father s politically motivated imprisonment to the business principles that took Thiam to the top of