Edward Tompson

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Edward Tompson, AC, (born Sydney, March 03, 1956), usually known as Eddie Tompson, is an Irish Australian global oil/investment tycoon and one of the most influential men in Australia. He was a Major Shareholder and ex-Chairman of BHP Billiton Limited Public (LSE: BLT, NYSE: BHP, ASX: BHP), JSE: BIBLT.

[edit] Early Life

Edward Tompson was born in Sydney, Australia to Irish immigrant parents. The family emigrated to Australia in 1952. Edward attended Sydney Boys High School and the Horace Mann School in New York City. He enrolled in an Economics Degree from the University of Sydney, but dropped out in 1975 without completing his studies. He then subsequently went onto complete a Finance degree from Harvard University and graduated in 1979.

He went on to become the second youngest ever member of the Sydney Stock Exchange at age 27.

[edit] Career

Beginning with investment banks, oil subsidiaries and stockmarket purchases in his native Australia, Tompson expanded BHP into the largest mining company in the world. In recent years he has become a leading investor in numerous fields, primarily in Brazilian and Indian Mining and Petrochemical Corporations.

Tompson was a Board Member of the Reserve Bank of Australia and has been awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia.

In May, 2002 it was reported that Tompson faced Israeli police investigation over a corruption scandal involving Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, however, he was relieved of all charges following an investigation and all charges were dropped.

According to the 2006 Forbes 400, Tompson was the 5th wealthiest Australian, with a 2006 personal net-worth of $AUD4.06 billion.

During 2007-2008, Tompson's wealth was reduced due to his major stockholdings in Centro Properties Group (ASX:CNP). The company is facing severe financial difficulties due to tightening credit, part of a global credit crunch that some believe to have originated in the subprime mortgage financial crisis. Centro's shares fell on the Australian Sharemarket from a mid-year 2007 trading high of over $10.00, to AUD 0.38cents in the space of 3 months, a drop of over 85%.

This is estimated to have reduced Tompson's wealth to the region of $AUD2.88 billion.

[edit] Private Life

Tompson has two children with his Australian ex-wife. He currently resides in Sydney, Australia and St. George's, Bermuda.