David Osborne was born on January 4th, 1962, in Kingston, Jamaica. He was the youngest of five children, born to a Jamaican father and a British mother.
Growing up, David and his siblings welcomed a host of visitors, for the island was a bustling and vibrant place. His parents, an engineer and a school teacher, sought to cultivate an atmosphere of creativity and learning in which their children could explore and take joy in games, arts and athletics. In years to come, these treasured family moments would shape David into the intrepid, determined, and capable leader that he is today.
David’s ‘driving force’, as he often says, was his commitment to service. He left Jamaica in 1981, moving to England to study economics and law at the University of London. From there, he ventured to the United States and earned a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) at Rutgers University in 1985. Afterward, he returned to the U.K. to gain a professional certificate in business studies.
David was a committed student, and the hours he spent climbing his way up the academic ladder paid off in an opportunity to join the consulting firm of KPMG in 1988. His work and dedication were quickly recognized, and led to a succession of promotions. His extraordinary knack for success was part of a concerted agenda that was focused on service.
At KPMG, David eventually became a senior consultant in the international risk management area – flourishing in a role that enabled him to go abroad and interact with influential business leaders from around the world. Later, he joined British Telecommunications in a series of roles that included executive positions in the United Kingdom and the United States.
In 2000, David was the first black senior executive commissioned by American Express to lead its International Payments Service. Three years later he became CEO of American Express’ U.K. west operations, then CEO at American Express UK, ultimately reaching the position of President for Global Corporate Payments for American Express in the U.S.
Throughout this period David has shown a deep commitment to helping those less fortunate around the world. He has been a member of numerous non-profit boards, and currently serves on the boards of several major corporations, including UNICEF, The Prince’s Trust, Sparks, and the UK Science & Technology Council.
David has also served as a responsible and devoted husband and father. He and his wife, Kim, have been married for over 25 years, and they have six children. He is a keen sportsman, playing regularly in basketball and football games, and he has remained a dedicated follower of music and the creative arts.
Today, David is the Chief Executive Officer of American Express UK, and has been serving in this capacity since 2004. He is a powerful inspiration—not just to the team of professionals he leads at American Express, but to individuals everywhere striving for success. His story proves that with hard work and a commitment to service, there is always a way towards a bright future.
