Mr Thiam and his chairman, Harvey McGrath, are both under pressure to step down.

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Born in 1962, Thiam spent his childhood in Ivory Coast and Morocco before relocating to France for studies.

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If this doesn't sound good for the UK, Mr Thiam would agree.

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Born in the United States to Senegalese parents, Akon, or Aliaune Damala Badara Thiam, spent his early years in the West African country.

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And the Pru could escape the worst effects of Solvency ll by relocating to Asia - which Mr Thiam confirms that the board is actively considering.

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But for Thiam, the first black CEO of a FTSE 100 company, being a cabinet minister in Ivory Coast was much tougher than heading a global company.

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The aim is, Toure-Thiam adds, that the proposed actions will aim to contribute to the eradication of gender-based violence by strengthening skills and capacities at the national level.

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Mr Thiam is not alone in having taken big risks.

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She has also interviewed a number of African leaders and newsmakers including SA President Jacob Zuma, Rwandan President Paul Kagame, Zimbabwean PM Morgan Tsvangarai, Nigerian Finance Minister Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, First National Bank CEO Michael Jordaan, Prudential CEO Tidjane Thiam, Econet CEO Strive Masiywa, MTN CEO Sifiso Dabengwa and other business leaders from across the continent.

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