I have 40 years’ experience as a senior executive for major international banks with expertise in corporate, merchant and private banking at senior credit and country management levels, and with Africa as my major area of concentration. I have also lived and worked in Europe and in the Middle East. I have extensive experience in marketing, budgeting and strategic planning, as well as team management by objectives, and their respective application through business plans. I have deep-rooted and fluid cross-cultural communication skills developed through an upbringing outside the United States and through a lifetime of work and residence in 15 countries, of which 8 in Africa. My cosmopolitan background matches a multicultural sensitivity in which I can function with ease and confidence. I am fully bilingual English-French and have an affinity for francophone environments, the special equation between France and Francophone Africa being a particular favorite.Skills Base: • Banking and financial experience and expertise with multi products and services• Hedge and Private Equity experience and expertise, in association with commodity trade• Full spectrum of lending experience, from individual banking to sovereign debt rescheduling• Lesser experience outside banking in logistics, engineering, mining and precious metals•