Tharman Shanmugaratnam was elected as Singapore's President in September 2023.

He served in politics for 22 years before resigning to contest in the Presidential Election. Tharman was Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister for several years each, and Education Minister for five years earlier.

He was committed throughout to sustaining social mobility and building a more inclusive society. He introduced major educational reforms while serving as Education Minister, aimed at a broader and more flexible system of meritocracy. He led efforts to make life-long learning a reality for all, and tripartite councils to transform productivity and skills. He has also engaged in initiatives to deepen and advance Singapore's model of multiculturalism.

Internationally, Tharman has led several high-level councils focused on global financial reforms, preparedness for future pandemics, education and human development, and global water sustainability. In 2019, the Institute of International Finance awarded him its inaugural Distinguished Leadership and Service Award. He currently chairs the board of the Group of Thirty, an independent global council of economic and financial leaders from the public and private sectors. He also co-chairs the Global Commission on the Economics of Water.