29-Year-Old Paulo Costa Becomes Goldman Sachs’ Youngest MD

BREAKING: Paulo Costa, just 29 years old, has been named Goldman Sachs’ youngest managing director in the firm’s newly appointed class for 2025. The announcement came on Thursday, marking a significant milestone in Costa’s career as a trader based in London.

The announcement of Costa’s promotion has sent waves of excitement throughout Goldman Sachs’ London office. By early Thursday afternoon, colleagues were already celebrating the newly promoted managing directors, and when Costa received his call, he was ecstatic. “I was hoping for this call,” he shared with Business Insider, reflecting on the anticipation that built as names were announced alphabetically.

Costa leads dividend trading within Goldman’s synthetic products group for the EMEA region. His promotion is backed by a strong performance in Goldman’s equities division, which reported a 7% increase in third-quarter revenues compared to last year.

Seated nearby during the call was Costa’s wife, a prime broker at Goldman, who he married earlier this year. “She was definitely the first person that I spoke to,” Costa said, highlighting the personal joy of sharing this achievement with his partner. The couple met at Goldman in 2018, and their shared journey in finance adds a heartfelt layer to Costa’s success story.

Costa’s journey to this prestigious role hasn’t been without challenges. He has navigated volatile markets, including the pandemic and recent market fluctuations. “When you really learn about the markets and the inner plumbing of things, is when things get messy,” he noted, emphasizing how his experiences have shaped his approach to trading.

Born in Portugal to a family of doctors, Costa faced initial pressure to pursue medicine. However, his interest in finance sparked during the European sovereign crisis when he began making small trades at a young age. His academic journey led him to the University of Warwick, where he served as the equities chief investment officer for the Warwick Investment Fund before joining Goldman Sachs as a summer analyst in 2016.

As the celebration commenced, the trading floor buzzed with energy. Regional leaders, including members of Goldman’s European Management Committee, raised a toast to the new managing directors on the eighth floor. Later, a gathering of approximately 150 people took place at a nearby venue to honor Costa and his fellow appointees.

Costa expressed confidence about stepping into his new responsibilities, stating, “I don’t think I necessarily have to impose myself now as a leader more than I was a week ago.” However, he acknowledges the “gravitas” that comes with the title. Reflecting on his early career, he expressed pride in achieving this level of success at such a young age. “I never imagined that, when I was 29, I would be at this stage of my career,” he said.

As Costa embarks on this new chapter, the financial world watches closely. His rapid ascent not only showcases his talent but also serves as an inspiration for young professionals striving to make their mark in finance.

Stay tuned for further developments on Costa’s career and Goldman’s evolving leadership landscape.