Mr. William R. Thomson is the Chairperson of the Board of Directors of the Global Bank Infrastructure Project Preparation Facility (the "GBIPPF Board of Directors"). The GBIPPF Board of Directors is responsible for overall supervision and control of the Facility. Mr. Thomson is a Senior Advisor to the President and the Chairman of the Board of Governors, Ron Nechemia, and Member of the International Advisory Board Council of Global Bank Group. Mr. Thomson is a highly experienced international economist and banker with extensive experience in the developing world. Mr. Thomson first represented the United States on the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Subsequently, he became Vice President in charge of the institution's programs for 30 borrowing countries. He also had responsibility for the Bank's economics functions.
Mr. Thomson is a highly experienced international economist and banker with extensive experience in the developing world. Mr. Thomson first represented the United States on the Board of Directors of the Asian Development Bank (ADB). Subsequently, he became Vice President in charge of the institution's programs for 30 borrowing countries. He also had responsibility for the Bank's economics functions. Funding for the lending programs to infrastructure, economic restructuring and social sectors.
During this period the ADB began its private sector operations and the creation of equity funds including the first Asian Infrastructure Fund. At ADB, Mr. Thomson restarted and expanded the China program and commenced operations in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Central Asia, along with major economic restructuring programs for Indochina and India. During this period the ADB began its private sector operations, which included the creation of equity funds, one of which was the first Asian Infrastructure Fund.
Subsequent to the ADB, he became a senior adviser to Franklin Templeton in Asia. Mr. Thomson created the Siam Recovery Fund, a Thai Investment Fund, in the wake of the Asian financial crisis and advised Asian Governments on financial sector issues. Mr. Thomson was also the Chairman of Momentum Asia, a manager of alternative investment products which was sold to a unit of UniCredito. He frequently writes and publishes on international economic and financial issues. He has experience in Africa and the Middle East.