Jörg Kukies Keynote Speaker

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.