Thomas Mirow
Thomas Mirow | |
|---|---|
| Born | January 6, 1953 Paris, France |
| Occupation | Politician |
| Years active | 1991–present |
| Known for | President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (2008–2012) |
Thomas Mirow (born 6 January 1953) is a German politician affiliated with the Social Democratic Party, who held the position of president at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development between 2008 and 2012.
Early life and education
Mirow’s birthplace and upbringing were in Paris, where his father served as Germany’s representative to the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC). His doctoral research focused on the foreign policy of Charles De Gaulle.
State politics
Between 1991 and 1997, Mirow occupied several significant posts within Hamburg’s state administration under Mayor Henning Voscherau, including roles as State Minister and Head of the Chancellery from 1991 to 1993, followed by State Minister for Urban Development until 1997. Subsequently, from 1997 to 2001, he was appointed State Minister for Economic Affairs during Mayor Ortwin Runde’s tenure.
Private sector
From 2002 through 2005, Mirow provided consultancy services to companies such as Ernst & Young and M. M. Warburg & Co.. In 2004, he became a member of the European Commission’s High-level Group tasked with the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy, chaired by former Dutch Prime Minister Wim Kok.
In the 2004 state elections, Mirow was the Social Democrats’ candidate aiming to replace incumbent Mayor Ole von Beust.
State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, 2005-2008
From 2005 until 2008, Mirow held the office of State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, serving under Minister Peer Steinbrück during Chancellor Angela Merkel’s initial coalition administration.
President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2008-2012
In 2008, Mirow was appointed President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), succeeding Jean Lemierre after being nominated by a majority of EU member nations. He was notably the second German national to assume this leadership role.
Throughout his presidency, Mirow emphasized anti-corruption measures within countries where the bank operated. In 2011, under his leadership, the EBRD waived immunity for four Russian officials—including board member Yelena Kotova—to facilitate criminal investigations conducted by authorities in both Britain and Russia.
He also directed the bank’s investment focus toward strategic regions such as Russia, the Balkans, and Central Asia. By 2012, both Russia and Bulgaria officially endorsed him for a second term; however, despite competing in a five-candidate contest amid divisions within the EU, he was not reappointed and was succeeded by Suma Chakrabarti.
After concluding his term at the EBRD, Mirow joined the faculty of the Hertie School of Governance in 2012 as a Senior Fellow.
International institutions
- European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Served as Ex-Officio Alternate Member on the Board of Governors (2005-2008)
- World Bank, Held the position of Ex-Officio Alternate Governor (2005-2008)
Corporate governance
- National Management Holding Baiterek, Board of Directors Member
- HSH Nordbank, Led the Supervisory Board as Chairman (2013-2018)
- RiverRock European Capital Partners, Senior Advisory Board Member (since 2013)
- Deutsche Telekom, Participated as Ex-Officio Supervisory Board Member (2006-2008)
- Hamburg Airport, Acted as Ex-Officio Chairman of the Supervisory Board (1997-2001)
- HHLA, Functioned as Ex-Officio Chairman of the Supervisory Board (1997-2001)
- KfW, Served as Ex-Officio Member on the Board of Supervisory Directors (1997-2001)
Non-profit involvement
- Deutsche Nationalstiftung, Board Chair
- ZEIT-Stiftung, Trustee Board Member (since 2017)
- Übersee Club, Trustee Board Member