Walter Gontarek is CEO, IC Chair and Chairman. As such, he sets the firm’s strategy, articulates its culture, and manages key stakeholder relationships.

He previously served as Managing Director/Global Head of Credit Products at the Royal Bank of Canada and held senior executive roles in capital markets and consumer/SME banking in the US, Canada and Europe. Walt holds non-executive board roles at the UK regulated arms of Catalina Re-insurance and Wiserfunding Ltd. He is also the Chair of the Advisory Board for Exelixi AI, a UAE-based provider of AI solutions and infrastructure to leading commercial banks, insurers, SWFs and governments.

He holds an MBA from NYU Stern School of Business and a Doctorate (Finance) from Cranfield University. He also holds certificates from Carnegie Mellon University (Cyber Risk Board Oversight) and Stanford University (Board Directors College).

Walt is a Visiting Fellow/Lecturer for Sustainable Finance/Financial Markets at Cranfield University and SciencesPo Paris and a Professor (Honorary) for fintech at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland.