The 7 most influential people in European finance 

European Commission

Bloomberg released its list of the 50 most influential people in the world of finance.

It is a comprehensive list of Wall Streeters, politicians, central bankers and business leaders who shape the way the global economy functions and help keep the wheels turning in the face of economic and political turmoil.

The list is global, but understandably has a heavy focus on the United States of America, given the country’s status as the world’s biggest, most powerful economy.

Chinese leaders also have a prominent role in the ranking as the country continues its challenge to the USA’s global dominance.

However, seven leaders from Europe make Bloomberg’s list, occupying several of the top positions, including the number one spot this year. We decided to take a look at these seven people who play a unique part in shaping global finance.

Check out the most powerful people in European finance, below.

7 (37th overall). Margrethe Vestager — Vestager, the European Union commissioner for competition, has taken a prominent role in the EU’s battles against both Google and Apple. In August, Vestager was behind the decision to make Apple to pay up to €13 billion in taxes as part of a broader crackdown on tax avoidance in the eurozone. Past campaigns include Starbucks in the Netherlands and Amazon in Luxembourg.

6 (30). Vladimir Putin — Russia’s president is undoubtedly one of the most powerful men on earth, wielding influence over the geopolitics of the eastern hemisphere. As the commander-in-chief of the country which controls most of Europe’s energy supply his power over the oil markets is massive.

5 (28). Mark Carney — While Carney is Canadian by birth, he plays a massive role in the British economy as the Governor of the Bank of England. Since the UK’s vote to leave the EU, he has presided over the BoE’s first interest rate cut since the financial crisis, and faced accusations of pro-EU bias.

4 (21). Sergio Ermotti — Ermotti, the CEO of Switzerland’s UBS, is the only European banker to make Bloomberg’s list. He has been at the helm since 2011 and has helped steer UBS through an incredibly difficult time for the industry as negative interest rates and increased regulation hit bank profitability.

3 (7). Mario Draghi — ECB President Draghi, also known as “the man who saved the euro,” has a unique position in global finance. He became one of the first central bankers to take interest rates into negative territory, and has remained steadfast in his belief in their effectiveness, despite criticism from other eurozone officials, including the German finance minister Wolfgang Schauble.

2 (6). Angela Merkel — Germany’s first ever female Chancellor, Merkel is the longest serving leader in Europe. She has presided over a period where Germany has driven the continent forward, despite stagnant growth from other major economies like Italy and France.

1 (1). Theresa May — Beating all her rivals to become new PM after David Cameron’s resignation following the Brexit vote, May holds the unique position of being in charge of deciding exactly what the UK will look like outside the EU. With the risk of London losing its financial services passporting rights, and therefore its place as Europe’s financial capital, no one else has as much power and influence as May in global finance right now.

Source: Business Insider – The 7 most influential people in European finance

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