Jörg Kukies Keynote Speaker

German Finance Minister (Nov 2024–May 2025)
State Secretary, Federal Chancellery (Dec 2021–Nov 2024)
Goldman Sachs Germany/Austria Co-CEO (2014–2018)

Jörg Kukies's Biography

Dr Jörg Kukies is a German economist and policy leader who brings a rare, dual-lens perspective on how markets and government decisions shape one another. He served as Germany’s Federal Minister of Finance from 7 November 2024 until 6 May 2025, appointed at a pivotal moment for Europe’s economic direction.

Before entering frontline politics, Kukies built a 17-year career at Goldman Sachs across London and Frankfurt, holding senior leadership roles in equities and derivatives. He led the Equities Division for Germany and Austria (2004–2011), headed Equity Derivatives for Europe, the Middle East and Africa (2011–2014), and served as Co-Chief Executive Officer of Goldman Sachs AG and Managing Director of the Frankfurt branch (2014–2018).

In government, Kukies was Secretary of State at the Federal Ministry of Finance (2018–2021) and then State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery (Dec 2021–Nov 2024), responsible for economic, financial and European affairs and serving as the Chancellor’s personal representative at G7 and G20 summits. Educated in Paris (Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne), Harvard Kennedy School (MPA) and the University of Chicago (PhD), he is known for translating complex issues into clear, actionable insight.

In 2025, Kukies was appointed co-chair of a Franco-German expert task force focused on strengthening start-up and scale-up financing in Europe. On stage, he equips leaders with practical frameworks for navigating fiscal strategy, regulation, geopolitical shocks, and the finance–climate nexus in an era of rapid change.

Europe’s financial market policy and regulation

Germany’s role in global economic governance

Sustainable fiscal strategy in a new geo-economic era

Navigating global trade and tariff diplomacy

Economic leadership at the intersection of finance & climate

He has operated at the centre of Germany’s economic policymaking, serving as Federal Minister of Finance (Nov 2024 to May 2025) and as State Secretary in the Federal Chancellery (Dec 2021 to Nov 2024).
He brings an inside view of global economic coordination, representing the Chancellor at G7 and G20 level and engaging directly with the pressure points shaping Europe’s agenda.
He translates the mechanics of markets, regulation and fiscal choices into clear, board-ready decisions, drawing on 17 years in senior leadership at Goldman Sachs across London and Frankfurt.
He connects financial policy to the energy and climate transition, having overseen economic, financial and climate policy coordination from the heart of government.
His briefings help leaders stress-test strategy against geo-economic shocks and tighter capital conditions, and communicate confidently with investors, clients and employees.