David Thomson: Reuters Boss And Canada’s Top Billionaire In Forbes List of World’s Richest

Forbes listed Canadian Billionaire David Thomson is better known to the world as chairman of Thomson Reuters. This third generation scion of the media empire founded by his grandfather Roy Thompson has been ranked 25 in the latest Forbes list of the world’s mega rich, with his real time net worth at $26.6 billion as of May 2015.

Born on 12 June 1957, David is the son of late Kenneth Thomson and his siblings are Taylor Thomson and Peter Thomson. David assumed the mantle of Thomson Corporation in 2006, following the death of his father and the acquisition of Reuters in 2007 led to his becoming the chairman of the merged entity, Thomson Reuters. David resides in Toronto, Ontario. He is an MA from Cambridge University.

Assets

According to reports, Thomson’s holdings run deep. His global company Thomson Reuters alone hires 55,000 people in 100 countries. This Canadian media magnate’s business interests also go beyond media. He has an active interest in real estate business. David owns Osmington Inc, which is a private real estate company with an enviable portfolio of prime properties including One Yonge St., the headquarters of Toronto Star.

David also heads Woodbridge, Thomson family’s investment or holding company, which holds the assets of Roy Thomson's seven grandchildren. He is also the Chair of The Globe and Mail Inc., the Canadian media company founded by Roy Thomson.

David also serves on the boards of many private companies. His hands off management approach was glorified by The Wall Street Journal in a report, where it noted how he kept aloof from Thomson Corp’s negotiations for a $17 billion deal with Reuters Group. All through the negotiations, Chairman David stayed on the sidelines and in the entire 18 months' of talks, he never met the Reuters top management except the last day, when the deal was finalised.

Private Man

David Thomson is known for his unorthodox lifestyle and is different from other wealthy businessmen. He never gives interviews and dislikes any kind of media gaze into his privacy. He is an ardent art lover and boasts of a huge private collection. He also supports many art foundations. David’s premiere art collection also includes 19th century English seascape painter John Constable’s works, reports the Star. He also owns The Winnipeg Jets NHL team. The 57-year-old billionaire is divorced and was once married to actress Kelly Rowan. He has three children.

(For feedback/comments, contact the writer at k.kumar@ibtimes.com.au)