A South African-born banker, whose diplomatic character saw him take centre stage in Europe to soften Goldman Sachs' edges after the 2006 'spank from Hank', and a successful deal-making Frenchman, have risen to the top in the latest reshuffle by the bank.

Richard Gnodde, the co-chief executive of Goldman Sachs International, the banking firm's largest subsidiary and based in London, has been lined up alongside David Salomon and John Weinberg to run global investment banking, while retaining his current role.