Thomas Mirow (born 6 January 1953) is a German politician of the Social Democratic Party who served as president of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development from 2008 to 2012.
Early life and education Mirow was born and raised in Paris, where his father was Germany's representative at the Organisation for European Economic Co-operation (OEEC). He wrote his doctoral thesis on Charles De Gaulle’s foreign policy.Tim Jones (June 11, 2008), Germany’s bargain banker European Voice.
Career Career in state politics From 1991 until 1997, Mirow held various positions in the state government of Mayor Henning Voscherau of Hamburg, including as State Minister and Head of the Chancellery (1991-1993) and as State Minister for Urban Development and Head of the Chancellery (1993-1997). He later served as State Minister for Economic Affairs in the government of Mayor Ortwin Runde from 1997 until 2001.
Career in the private sector Between 2002 and 2005, Mirow worked as advisor to Ernst & Young and M. M. Warburg & Co. In 2004, he was a member of the European Commission’s High-level Group on the Mid-Term Review of the Lisbon Strategy, chaired by former Prime Minister of the Netherlands Wim Kok.President Prodi and Mr Wim Kok announce the establishment of the High-level Group on the Lisbon Strategy European Commission, press release of April 22, 2004.
In the 2004 state elections, Mirow was the Social Democrats' candidate to unseat incumbent Mayor Ole von Beust.
State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance, 2005-2008 From 2005 until 2008, Mirow served as State Secretary at the Federal Ministry of Finance under Minister Peer Steinbrück in the first coalition government of Chancellor Angela Merkel.
President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, 2008-2012 At the 2008 annual meeting of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development in Kyiv, Mirow was selected to replace Jean Lemierre; he had previously been nominated by a majority of EU Member States.Stefan Wagstyl (March 19, 2008), Succession row casts shadow over EBRD Financial Times. He was the second German to head the EBRD.German Named New European Development Bank President Deutsche Welle, May 19, 2008.
During Mirow's tenure, the EBRD made efforts to tackle endemic corruption in the bank's area of operations. In 2011, it lifted the immunity of four Russian officials, including Yelena Kotova, Moscow's representative on the bank's board, to facilitate criminal probes by British police and the Russian authorities.Sujata Rao (January 21, 2011), EBRD chief laments corruption after director fired Reuters.
Also, Mirow focused the bank's activities on Russia, the Balkans and Central Asia.Katrin Bennhold and Alison Smale (July 5, 2008), New Head of Development Bank Puts Focus on Russia New York Times.
By the end of his term in 2012, Mirow was formally proposed by Russia and Bulgaria for another four years in office.Clare Kane (May 11, 2012), EBRD presidents past, present and, possibly, future Reuters. He campaigned for his re-appointment without Germany's backing in a five-candidate race after the European Union failed to agree a consensus candidate; he was eventually replaced by Suma Chakrabarti.Carolyn Cohn and Drazen Jorgic (May 18, 2012), Briton wins EBRD presidency for first time Reuters.
In 2012, Mirow joined the faculty of Hertie School of Governance as Senior Fellow.Former EBRD President Thomas Mirow joins the Hertie School faculty Hertie School of Governance, press release of November 7, 2012.
Other activities International organizations European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD), Ex-Officio Alternate Member of the Board of Governors (2005-2008)2005 Annual Report European Bank for Reconstruction and Development (EBRD). World Bank, Ex-Officio Alternate Governor (2005-2008)
Corporate boards National Management Holding Baiterek, Member of the Board of DirectorsBoard of Directors National Management Holding Baiterek. HSH Nordbank, Chairman of the Supervisory Board (2013-2018)James Wilson (February 8, 2013), HSH Nordbank struggles amid shipping woes Financial Times. RiverRock European Capital Partners, Member of the Senior Advisory Board (since 2013) Deutsche Telekom, Ex-Officio Member of the Supervisory Board (2006-2008)Thomas Mirow joins the Supervisory Board Deutsche Telekom, press release of January 17, 2006. Hamburg Airport, Ex-Officio Chairman of the Supervisory Board (1997-2001) HHLA, Ex-Officio Chairman of the Supervisory Board (1997-2001) KfW, Ex-Officio Member of the Board of Supervisory Directors (1997-2001)
Non-profit organizations Deutsche Nationalstiftung, Chair of the BoardBoard Deutsche Nationalstiftung. ZEIT-Stiftung, Member of the Board of Trustees (since 2017)Dagmar Reim, Fritz Horst Melsheimer und Dr. Thomas Mirow ins Kuratorium der ZEIT-Stiftung berufen ZEIT-Stiftung, press release of January 12, 2017 Übersee Club, Member of the Board of TrusteesBoard of Trustees Übersee Club.
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