Edward Forst
Edward Codd Forst | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 11, 1960 Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Business executive |
| Years active | 1982–present |
| Known for | Executive roles at Goldman Sachs, President and CEO of Cushman & Wakefield, nominee for Administrator of the General Services Administration |
Edward Codd Forst (born December 11, 1960) is an American executive in the business sector.
Forst earned his bachelor's degree in economics from Harvard University in 1982 and completed his MBA at the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania in 1988. He launched his professional journey at Bankers Trust in 1982, holding the position of managing director. In 1994, he transitioned to Goldman Sachs, advancing to managing director by 1996 and securing partnership status in 1998. He was appointed chief administrative officer in 2004 and later became co-head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management in 2007. In 2008, Forst briefly departed Goldman Sachs to assume the role of executive vice president at Harvard and served as an advisor to Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson during the financial crisis.
He rejoined Goldman Sachs in September 2009 as senior strategy officer and was promoted to lead Goldman Sachs Asset Management in February 2010. Nevertheless, following leadership disputes and missing a pivotal European meeting, he exited the firm in December 2010. In January 2014, Forst took on the roles of president and CEO at Cushman & Wakefield, steering initiatives to revitalize the company's presence in New York City's real estate sector before leaving after its acquisition by DTZ in May 2015.
In July 2025, President Donald Trump nominated Forst for the position of administrator of the General Services Administration.
Early life and education (1960–1988)
Born on December 11, 1960, in Chicago, Illinois, Edward Codd Forst is the son of Eleanore Ann Thole () and Donald S. Forst. His stepfather, Jack Thole, was a chemistry instructor at St. Ignatius College Prep, which Forst also attended. He graduated cum laude from Harvard University in 1982 with a bachelor's degree specializing in economics and later obtained an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania in 1988.
Bankers Trust (1982–1994)
In 1982, Forst began his tenure at Bankers Trust as a managing director. By 1993, he was responsible for leading U.S. loan sales and trading operations. That same year, he married Susan Kelly Ryan, who held a vice president position within the company.
Goldman Sachs and advisorships (1994–2011)
Forst joined Goldman Sachs in 1994 and ascended to managing director by 1996. His roles included co-head of capital markets, chief of staff for equities and fixed income divisions, and co-head of global credit businesses. He achieved partnership status in 1998 and later served as chief administrative officer beginning in 2004. In 2007, he moved to London to manage operations spanning the U.S., Europe, and Asia, while also becoming co-head of Goldman Sachs Asset Management.
In 2008, Forst left Goldman Sachs to become Harvard University's inaugural executive vice president. During that year's financial crisis, Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson appointed him as an advisor for the $700 billion bailout plan, contributing to the creation of the Office of Financial Stability. He returned to Harvard later that year.
Goldman Sachs brought Forst back in 2009 as senior strategy officer; he was promoted to head Goldman Sachs Asset Management in 2010. He championed initiatives such as the Firmwide Black Network and Hispanic/Latin Network and was a member of the executive committee. Despite his leadership positions, Forst was regarded as a "challenging manager" with internal disagreements. After missing a critical European meeting toward the end of 2011, he retired amid reports suggesting he had been forced out—a move welcomed by some within investment management. Following his departure from Goldman Sachs, he provided advisory services to Fenway Partners.
Cushman & Wakefield (2014–2015)
In December 2013, Cushman & Wakefield named Forst as their president and CEO, effective January 2014. His approach prioritized expanding the company's footprint within the New York City real estate sector, highlighted by orchestrating the acquisition of Massey Knakal in December 2014 to merge its regional expertise with Cushman & Wakefield's international reach.
By early 2015, Forst initiated a strategic evaluation considering a sale designed to raise capital for growth initiatives rather than transferring ownership to direct competitors. In May, DTZ agreed to purchase Cushman & Wakefield; following the deal's closure, Forst exited the organization.
Board memberships and political activities
Forst held the position of vice chairman and subsequently chairman of the Bond Market Association starting in 2004, and served as co-chairman then chairman of the Securities Industry and Financial Markets Association beginning in 2006. By 2011, he had become a trustee at Carnegie Hall and occupied several roles at Harvard University, including co-chairing its Taskforce on Balanced Philanthropy and leading the 30th Reunion campaign, alongside membership on Harvard's Stem Cell Science Advisory Board. As treasurer of Carnegie Hall, Forst was instrumental in removing its chairman, Ronald Perelman, amid a confidential conflict.
In June 2013, Forst participated in a political gathering in Utah organized by Mitt Romney, where Romney outlined his political intentions. They met again in January 2015 when Romney revealed he was contemplating a bid for the presidency in the 2016 election.
Administrator of the General Services Administration
On July 31, 2025, president Donald Trump put forward Forst's nomination to assume the role of administrator of the General Services Administration.