The Key Man: How the Global Elite Was Duped by a Capitalist Fairy Tale

AS FEATURED IN BBC TWO'S BILLION DOLLAR DOWNFALL: THE DEALMAKER DOCUMENTARY Two Wall Street reporters investigate the man entrusted with millions to make profits and end poverty but now stands accused of masterminding one of the biggest, most brazen frauds in history. 'Gripping' Guardian *** Arif Naqvi was a man with an immeasurable dream: to end world suffering, poverty and disease. His vision? Capitalism used for good, progress and profit. He persuaded politicians he could help stabilize the Middle East after 9/11 by providing jobs. He got Bill Gates to help him start a billion-dollar fund to improve health care in poor countries. He won the support of Obama's administration and was even appointed to boards by the UN and Interpol. The only problem? In 2019 Arif Naqvi was arrested on charges of money laundering and misappropriating hundreds of millions of dollars. He now faces up to 291 years in jail. This is the true, jaw-dropping investigation into the smoke and mirrors world of The Key Man. *** 'Impeccably researched and sumptuous in its detail . . . It's a page-turner' The Economist 'This book tells the story brilliantly. . . Well-paced and cleverly organised. It also draws some devastating conclusions' The Sunday Times 'A pacy and deeply-reported tale' Financial Times LONGLISTED FOR THE FT MCKINSEY BUSINESS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2021 AN ECONOMIST BOOK OF THE YEAR

About the Author :
Simon Clark is a journalist and writer who previously worked at the Wall Street Journal. His investigative reporting has led him to the poppy fields of Afghanistan, the copper mines of Congo and to many banks in the City of London. He was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize in 2016. He lives in Lewes, England. Will Louch is a reporter covering finance for Bloomberg News in London. He was previously a Wall Street Journal reporter covering private equity in London and New York.

Review :
A scorching epilogue... This is tough stuff and this is a tough book that should contribute to much greater scepticism about the bloated financial system Impeccably researched and sumptuous in its detail...It is a page-turner, built around a riveting portrait of the key man of the title. Mr. Naqvi who comes across as a teeming mass of contradictions A pacy and deeply-reported tale Gripping... The account raises questions over whether 'impact investing' and 'stakeholder capitalism' are less about poverty alleviation for the world than guilt alleviation for the Davos elite For an astonishing story of how the global economy can be manipulated, read the devastating account in The Key Man A riveting account of the intertwining of brilliance and greed... Should be a mandatory read at all schools of journalism and business schools. It's a rare tour de force from which both can learn Clark and Louch have done an outstanding job in untangling the knots that usually keep the secretive world of private equity out of reach for most people This excellent book, which is more true crime than finance, describes in cinematic detail how Naqvi and his colleagues pumped up valuations, moved money between the company, its funds and their personal accounts, and lied about performance It's a sorry tale, one that raises important questions about our ability to deliver 'ethical' capitalism Spellbinding. You won't want to put the book down