Francois Laurens

Doctorate of Business Administration
Johannesburg, South Africa

Francois Laurens - Johannesburg, South Africa
Doctor of Finance Candidate - SMC
L.L.M. -  University of Johannesburg, South Africa
L.L.B. -  University of Johannesburg, South Africa
B. Comm. - University of Johannesburg, South Africa


Industry Background
François commenced his full time career as a practising corporate attorney in a law firm in Johannesburg. Following completion of his articles, he was appointed as a director of the firm and a member of the Executive Management Committee. François also served as a member of the International Fiscal Association, a member of the International Bar Association, a member of the South African Fiscal Association, a member of the Executive Committee of the Johannesburg Attorneys Association and a member of the Company Law Advisory Committee of the Johannesburg Attorneys Association.

In 1997 François joined the Investment Banking Division of Nedcor Investment Bank in Johannesburg. His responsibilities included advising corporate clients with regard to mergers & acquisitions and related corporate finance transactions. In 1999 François joined Standard Bank in London (SBL). His responsibilities included advising corporate clients with regard to cross-border corporate finance transactions, and advising SBL with regard to proprietary acquisitions. François joined ABSA Capital in Johannesburg in 2003 as the Head of Business Development and as a member of the Executive Committee. During 2004 François acted as sponsor and co-ordinator for a project which resulted in the restructuring of, and the implementation of a new operating model for ABSA Capital. Following the acquisition of ABSA by Barclays in 2005, François was appointed as Head of the Investment Banking Division, a member the Executive Committee, and the Chairman of the New Business Evaluation Committee. François left ABSA Capital in 2007 to focus on property development and investments.

Personal Vision
Global financial markets have undergone a secular change during the past few years. It would appear that a fundamental realignment of global economic power and influence has taken place, resulting in a shift to countries that previously had little systemic influence. There has also been an accumulation of financial wealth by countries that were previously more used to being borrowers rather than investors. These countries diversified their capital by investing in First World economies. Sovereign Wealth Funds were the forefront of this diversification. These changes had a profound effect on financial markets. Financial institutions, regulators and governments were ill prepared for the changes that took place. This resulted in the current financial markets crisis, which started in 2007 with the sub-prime fallout. Following the events of the past two years, national policy makers and global institutions will be forced to replace the traditional resources which failed them. Financial institutions need to be better equipped to cope within the new financial landscape and risk management processes need to be improved. These changes will require management of many paradoxes, but there will be many new opportunities. François is eager to return to banking to play a strategic role in the transformation of the financial landscape and the evolution of financial institutions.