Dipak Dhiru Patel

Dipak Dhiru Patel is a Strategic Advisor, Climate Finance Leader and Board Director. He is a thoughtful and strategic leader with extensive experience across climate policy, finance, infrastructure, and governance. Dipak has a track record of high-impact leadership in state institutions, investment banking, and international development finance. He is currently serving as Strategic Advisor to the Presidential Climate Commission. 

Dipak combines board-level acumen with a grounded commitment to public purpose, national development, and climate resilience. His professional Experience extends to being the Deputy Chairperson of the Presidential Climate Commission (PCC) and is the current Deputy Chair to the President of the Republic of South Africa. 

Dipak is mandated in law to advise on all aspects of the climate and just transition in South Africa. He is non-Executive Director of Transnet SOC Ltd and chairs the Finance & Investment Committee. From 2018–2021 Advised on strategy, governance, restructuring, and operations of key national State-Owned Enterprises in his role as  Special Advisor to the Minister in the Ministry of Public Enterprises. He held various global executive roles at the Standard Bank Group between 2002–2012. Dipak completed the Advanced Management & Leadership Programme at the INSEAD Business School, France; and gained an MSc at SOAS, University of London.