The former boss of Credit Suisse succeeded in his bluff by raising money through a SPAC, a kind of blank check company introduced on the stock market with the only assets of the CVs and reputation of its initiators. Tidjane Thiam’s Special purpose acquisition company (Spac), launched in early February 2021, with the media drum that usually accompanies the actions of the former CEO of Prudential, responds to the name “Freedom Acquisition Corp”. Assembled with the support of Pimco, one of the world’s leading fixed income investment managers, and two buddies, Adam Gishen, and Abhishek Bhatia, this vehicle aims to invest in emerging countries.
Note that Adam Gishen is a faithful follower of Tidjane Thiam, who brought him back in his luggage when leaving the Thames for Lake Geneva. This quasi-double of Thiam from Prudential in London, will occupy the post of managing director of the new company. At Credit Suisse since 2015, Gishen was the all-powerful senior advisor to the CEO, responsible for investor relations, corporate communications, marketing and branding until the Credit Suisse espionage scandal. who will win, him and his mentor.
The other accomplice in this gang of three is Abhishek Bhatia, another former manager of Prudential, called to serve on the board of directors. Until recently officiating at Asian insurtech company FWD Group (2015-2020), Singapore, Abhishek Bhatia is the Asian touch of this vehicle that advances the lens to the emerging world. Of course, on Wall Street, a forward-looking market, the liabilities accumulated in the Credit Suisse espionage scandal should not have an effect on Tidjane Thiam, who, all in all, succeeded in his bluff. At least in the media. In the meantime, the market sanction.
