Ivan Glasenberg is a South African-born Australian businessman, the self-made billionaire former CEO of Glencore (LSE: GLEN), the global commodity trading and mining powerhouse. Born in Gauteng, South Africa, in 1957, to Jewish immigrants from Lithuania, his early life was characterized by athletic excellence: he was the South African (and Israeli) junior champion in race walking.

Glasenberg received a rigorous education, earning a Bachelor of Accountancy and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of the Witwatersrand and an MBA from the University of Southern California (USC) in 1983. He joined Glencore International plc (then Marc Rich & Co.) in 1984, quickly rising through the coal department ranks.

• Glencore (Former CEO & Major Shareholder): The core wealth generator, the global commodity trading and mining giant. He served as CEO from 2002 to 2021.
• Commodity Trading Expertise: His success is built on mastering coal and commodity trading logistics and finance.
• Athletic Heritage: He was the South African (and Israeli) junior champion in race walking.
• Academic Background: He holds an MBA from USC and degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand.

Ivan Glasenberg became CEO of Glencore in 2002. His strategic vision was audacious: transform the secretive, private trading firm into a transparent, publicly traded mining and industrial giant. He led Glencore through its massive IPO in 2011 and the subsequent merger with Xstrata (one of the largest mining acquisitions in history), creating a diversified behemoth with operations in over 50 countries and revenues exceeding $200 billion.

He served as CEO until 2021. His wealth is tied to his large executive equity stake in the company (he was initially described as a lieutenant in the Marc Rich trading clique). His structural contribution is tied to the consolidation of the global commodity trading and mining sectors and the successful transition of a private firm to a major public corporate entity.

Ivan Glasenberg's social impact is structural, stemming from Glencore's role as a massive global employer (in over 50 countries) and a foundational supplier of essential commodities (copper, coal, zinc, oil) that fuel the world economy. His leadership drove the transparency and public listing of one of the world's most historically secretive companies.

His personal philanthropy supports various educational and community initiatives. His career provides a compelling narrative of a chartered accountant and athlete rising to lead and consolidate a complex, high-stakes global industry.

Ivan Glasenberg maintains the pragmatic, composed style of a commodity trader. His attire is consistently formal and high-quality, favoring tailored suits. His aesthetic reflects serious authority and stability, blending his accounting background with the high-stakes world of global commodity trade.

Residing in Rüschlikon, Switzerland, his luxury is the immense security and financial reward derived from his multi-billion dollar fortune. His life is dedicated to industrial scale, commodity trading mastery, and his commitment to financial discipline.