Year-end is a time for reflection. After twenty nine extraordinary years at Goldman Sachs, I’ve concluded that now is the right moment for me to bid farewell. Lately, I’ve been consumed by a feeling of merely going through the motions, which isn’t in my DNA nor what makes Goldman Sachs special. No formal plans for what comes next, which feels like the ultimate luxury after going full out for decades. Standing at a crossroads, sometimes you have to pause to acknowledge the chapters you’ve written.
Mine has been an unconventional GS career journey – changing roles, divisions, and geographies multiple times and then back again. I thrived given the variety of experiences on offer, but ultimately you reach a point where opportunities for change become more limited. As the pace of innovation accelerates at a mind blowing speed, there’s a strong pull to explore new adventures.
I am optimistic about the strategic direction of Goldman Sachs. For Global Banking & Markets, our market share gains, strengthened client franchise, and generation of the industry's highest return on equity is a source of collective pride. Returning to our rightful #1 position in Global Equities and an epic 20-year uninterrupted run as #1 Global M&A Advisor is a testament to our extraordinary talent and collaborative culture.
From Buffett to Beckham, I take with me countless memories engaging with iconic clients. It’s been the privilege of a lifetime working alongside exceptional colleagues who have inspired and supported me. Thank you David, John, Ashok, Dan, Marc, and Richard for the meaningful friendships. Each is unique and special. I’m most grateful to my wife, Jenn, and our three boys for allowing me the freedom to operate this intensely for so long.
Keep winning, as our results will always define us. I will bleed Goldman Sachs forever.
#mood:
“There was a language in the world that everyone understood, a language the boy had used throughout the time that he was trying to improve things at the shop. It was the language of enthusiasm, of things accomplished with love and purpose, and as part of a search for something believed and desired. Tangier was no longer a strange city, and he felt that, just as he had conquered this place, he could conquer the world”.
— Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist
Interesting event