Today Senior Managing Director and Chairman of Blackstone Singapore, one of the world’s leading investment firms, Gautam Banerjee (UWC South East Asia 1971-1973) was a Nominated Member of Parliament in Singapore (2007 - 2009) and a member of the Singapore Economic Strategies Committee (2009 - 2010). He was also awarded the Public Service Medal by the Singapore Government in 2014.

“I can list three key takeaways from my time at UWC South East Asia. The first one is the appreciation and importance of diversity and how it contributes to better outcomes in virtually every endeavour one undertakes. Second, I learned to always be ready to step outside your comfort zone, embrace change and keep learning and reinventing yourself. Last, but not least, the need to look at success more broadly with always one eye on how your actions can make a positive impact on the community at large.

These important learnings at a young age have helped me in my journey over four decades, whether it be in the corporate world, as a nominated member of parliament or the various not for profit and educational organisations I have had the privilege to serve.

Success for me is never only about the numbers, it's about impact and legacy.”

Gautam’s non-executive corporate roles outside of Blackstone include serving as an independent director of Singapore Airlines, GIC (Singapore’s Sovereign Wealth Fund), The Indian Hotels Company and Piramal Enterprises. He also serves as a vice chairman of the Singapore Business Federation, member of the Singapore Legal Service Commission and Chairman of raiSE, the Centre for Social Enterprise in Singapore. Gautam’s other roles in the “not for profit sector” include being a term trustee of SINDA and a member of the governing Board of Yale NUS College.

Previously, Gautam served as Executive Chairman of PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) Singapore for nine years until his retirement in December 2012. He spent over 30 years with the firm in various leadership roles in Singapore, India and East Asia. His previous non-executive appointments have included serving as a member of the Economic Development Board and the National Heritage Board. Gautam is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, the Institute of Singapore Chartered Accountants and the Singapore Institute of Directors. He graduated with a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree from Warwick University in 1977 and was awarded an Honorary Doctor of Laws (LLD) by the same University in 2014.