Ken Costa

For over 40 years Ken Costa has been a leading global investment banker, philanthropist and thought leader. Born in South Africa, he was active in the anti-apartheid movement as a student leader in Johannesburg and went on to study law at Queens' College, University of Cambridge, thereafter becoming Chair of UBS Investment Bank (EMEA) and Lazard International. He is currently chairman of Helios Fairfax, the largest private equity group in Africa.

As a supporter of investment in the next generation he chairs Glorify, a meditation app. Alongside his finance career, Ken has been heavily involved in various not-for-profit organisations including the Advisory Board of the London Symphony Orchestra and Trustee of the Nelson Mandela's Children's Fund (UK). In 2023, he was awarded the Canterbury Cross by the Archbishop of Canterbury for outstanding contributions to the Church of England. He created the highly successful Tick Tock Club for Great Ormond Street Hospital which has raised £50m for the hospital.

He is Emeritus Professor of Commerce at Gresham College and was coordinator of the City's response to the Make Poverty History Campaign. He has been a contributor to The Financial Times, The Wall Street Journal, The Times and The Telegraph. He is married to Dr Fiona Costa, with whom he has four adult children.