Ivorian Presidential hopeful resigns from Paris-based multinational corporation Kering

Tidjane Thiam, the newly elected leader of Côte d’Ivoire’s main opposition party PDCI-RDA, has resigned from Paris-headquartered luxury goods multinational company Kering to focus on his political ambition ahead of presidential elections slated for 2025.

“In order to have the necessary time to devote to his political commitments, Tidjane Thiam, elected President of the Democratic Party of Côte d’Ivoire last December 22nd, submitted his resignation from his position as Director to the Chairman of Kering’s Board of Directors,” the company said in a statement.

“On his own behalf and on behalf of the Board of Directors, François-Henri Pinault warmly thanks Tidjane Thiam for his involvement and his contribution to the Board’s activities, and notably as Chair of the Audit Committee,” the statement added.

Thiam had been an independent Director since June 16th, 2020, and Chair of the Audit Committee of the firm. He was also a member of the Remuneration Committee.

The 61-year-old former CEO of Credit Suisse won in December very comfortably with 96.5 percent of vote against 3.2 percent for his rival Jean-Marc Yace, the mayor of a commune in the economic hub Abidjan, to become leader of the party after its former veteran and longtime president Henry-Konan Bedie passed away.

Côte d’Ivoire will be heading to presidential polls in 2025 and Thiam stands chances to be his party’s candidate.