Born on March 16, 1965, in Fort Smith, Northwest Territories, and raised in Edmonton, Alberta, Carney, 59, has an extensive background in finance and economics but no prior political experience.
Carney served as the Governor of the Bank of Canada from 2008 to 2013, guiding the country through the global financial crisis. His expertise led to his appointment as the first non-British Governor of the Bank of England, a role he held from 2013 to 2020. Since 2020, he has been the United Nations’ special envoy for climate action and finance.
Before entering public service, Carney spent 13 years as an executive at Goldman Sachs, working in London, Tokyo, New York, and Toronto. He began his central banking career as the Bank of Canada’s deputy governor in 2003.
Academically accomplished, Carney holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from Harvard University and master’s and doctoral degrees from Oxford University. A former ice hockey player, he was a backup goalie for Harvard’s team.
Carney holds Canadian, U.K., and Irish citizenship but has signaled his intention to retain only Canadian citizenship—a move seen as politically strategic. With a strong economic background and global experience, he now faces the challenge of transitioning from finance to national leadership.
