Banker schmoozing for Number 10

AT THE heart of the bid to woo the Saudis is one of the City’s best-known bankers.

Ken Costa ( pictured), the 67-year-old former chairman of Lazard, is working as an adviser to Theresa May as the UK seeks to help Saudi Arabia become less dependent on oil.

The South African-born banker and philanthropist, who has two sons and two daughters with his wife Fi, started out at SG Warburg under legendary City figure Sir Siegmund Warburg. He advised Mohamed Al-Fayed on his £1.5bn sale of Harrods to the Qataris.

Costa is chairman of Alpha International, which promotes an introductory course to the Christian faith that has been attended by more than 2m people in the UK and 27m worldwide.

He has also published a book called God At Work, to encourage more Christians to work in the City.