| Leszek Czarnecki | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 May 1962 (age 49) Wrocław, Poland |
| Residence | Wrocław |
| Nationality | Polish |
| Occupation | businessman |
| Net worth | US $ 1.4 billion (est.) (2010)[1] |
| Spouse | Married, 2 children |
Leszek Czarnecki (born 9 May 1962 in Wrocław) is a businessman based in Wrocław, Poland. He holds a degree in engineering and a Ph.D in economics.
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Graduated from the University of Technology in Wrocław, Faculty of Environmental Engineering; gained a PhD in economics at Wrocław University of Economics.
He is a main shareholder of six companies listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange: Getin Holding, Getin Noble Bank, TU Europa, LC Corp, MW Trade and Open Finance.
In 1986, his passion for cave diving led him to join with a few college friends to set up a commercial diving firm -- Przedsiębiorstwo Hydrotechniki i Inżynierii TAN. [2] He was the creator and main shareholder of Europejski Fundusz Leasingowy (European Leasing Fund) which he set up in 1991. This was the first and, eventually, the biggest leasing company in Poland, gaining a listing on the London Stock Exchange in 2000. In 2001 he sold the firm to Credit Agricole for PLN 900 million, and became the CEO of Credit Agricole Poland. At this time he was also managing other group’s companies, such as EFL S.A., Lukas S.A., Lukas Bank, TU Europa and Getin Service Provider S.A.
In 1993 – 1995 he was the deputy Chairman of Supervisory Board, and later the CEO of Polbank S.A. (GMAC Bank). In the years 1996-1997 Leszek Czarnecki was the Chairman of Supervisory Board of insurance company Europa S.A, and in 1997 he became the CEO of Europa for the next two years.
In 2002-2003 he was the CEO and managing director responsible for leasing and insurance of Credit Agricole Poland. Until the end of November 2004 he was the CEO of Getin Holding S.A, and till May 2006 CEO of Getin Bank S.A. Since June 2007 he has been the Chairman of Getin Holding’s Supervisory Board and a member of Supervisory Boards of other companies belonging to the group. From Septmember 2006 to March 2007, and since April 2008 he has been the Chairman of the Supervisory Board of LC Corp. After the merger of Getin Bank with Noble Bank (January 2010) he is the Chairman of Supervisory Board of Getin Noble Bank. Under his leadership, Getin Holding has acquired stakes in companies operating in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. Czarnecki has promoted a dynamic business culture in his organization by handpicking executives who share his business philosophy. [3]
He purchased Poltegor Centre in 2005-2006, built in the mid-70s in the city centre of Wrocław, and at that time the city’s tallest building. Czarnecki, along with the investor LC Corp, is currently building Sky Tower, which will be the tallest skyscraper in Poland.
Leszek Czarnecki is an author of two books published in 2011. The first, tilted "Simply business”, guides students and young entrepreneurs through starting and developing their own companies. The second, "Risk in banking. A post-crisis perspective”, deals with managing the risk in banking, pointing out subjects not covered by Basel III.
It is a book based on author's experience and lessons learned. This publication is dedicated to those willing to start their own business and those already having a firm. In the introduction Leszek Czarnecki wrote that he would like to present entrepreneurs as normal people, making mistakes, with fears and living in a constant stress. This is why Czarnecki writes about risks, both professional and personal.
The first part is Czarnecki's guides for new entrepreneurs, leading them step by step into a proper way of thinking and explaining what they need to do when starting a business venture.
The second part is addressed to those already running their firms. Czarnecki presents the most common problems, ways of financing, mergers and acquisitions, and other aspects of business based on his experience. The third part is all about managing success. Leszek Czarnecki reminds his readers about the well-known saying – it’s easier to make money than to keep it. This is why he shares his story of success, as well as those of another 20 of Poland's most successful entrepreneurs.
Leszek Czarnecki tries to analyze a financial crisis of 2007-2008, and looks at managing a risk in banking operations from a different perspective.
The first chapter is a résumé of changes in perceiving the risk in banking activities. In the second chapter Leszek Czarnecki analyzes some of the latest financial crisis’ causes. The third chapter is an introduction to entropy as a way of describing financial stability of a bank. Two following chapters address areas of banking activities which have the biggest influence on the level of entropy. In the seventh chapter Czarnecki shows practical ways of using the entropy model. The last chapter is a case study of creation and development of Getin Holding, the fastest growing financial business in Poland.
Major shareholder and the co-founder of the following companies:
In 1998, Leszek Czarnecki was granted the Wall Street Journal award for the Best CEO in Central Europe as one of the 10 renowned businessmen in the region. The same year he also won the global finals of the Young Business Achiever, the contest held in Beijing.
In April 2004, celebrating its 25th anniversary of presence in the European market, the Financial Times recognised Leszek Czarnecki as one of the 25 emerging stars of European business to set up the directions for the development of financial markets. Leszek Czarnecki was the only Pole included in the FT list.
In November 2004 Leszek Czarnecki was included in the group of four individuals recognised as Entrepreneur of the year from Eastern Europe by INSEAD, one of the best business universities in Europe, and the French Minister of Finance (Nicolas Sarkozy).
In September 2005 received the prestigious Lesław Paga award honouring his achievements and personal contribution to the development of the financial services market in Poland. Leszek Czarnecki was selected as the Player of the Year by the Polish Edition of the Forbes magazine three times in a row – in 2005, 2006 and 2007.
In November 2009 Leszek Czarnecki was recognised in the Entrepreneur of the Year contest organised by the Ernst & Young and received an honorary award for employing new staff in the times of deep crisis.[4] The same month Puls Biznesu nominated him for the title of the Entrepreneur of the Twenty-Year Period.[5] In March 2010 Gazeta Finansowa awarded him the title of the Financier of the Year 2009.[6] May 2010 saw Leszek Czarnecki receive from PKPP Lewiatan the Andrzej Wierzbicki Award for his success in business and active contribution to business environment.[7] Leszek Czarnecki was awarded with the honorable medal by the Polish Insurance Association for a longstanding cooperation and support of the Assiociation.
In 2010 Puls Biznesu and The Association of Polish Employers recognised Leszek Czarnecki as the “Entrepreneur of the year”. In 2011 Warsaw Business Journal awarded him with the title of the “Business Leader of the Year”.
In 2010 he ranked number 721 on the list of World’s Billionaires, with his worth assessed at US$ 1.4 billion.[8] In 2008 the Forbes magazine ranked him in the 446 position on the list of the World’s Billionaires with his assets valued at US$ 2.6 billion, the first among those Poles listed.[9] Before, in 2006, Forbes placed him last on the list with the property assessed for USD 1 billion.
In 2009 he instituted the first meeting of Przedsiębiorczość - Inicjatywa Leszka Czarneckiego – a series of debates held by leading schools of economics; there Mr. Czarnecki shared his knowledge and experience with students. The same year Leszek Czarnecki launched the contest named 'Studying, working, managing' aimed at supporting young entrepreneurs by financing laureates' business ideas. The third edition finished in 2011. Leszek Czarnecki is proud to have established the charity foundation of Jolanta and Leszek Czarneccy, previously called LC Heart, which commenced its activities in Wrocław in 2007. So far, he personally transferred PLN 55 million (US$ 20 million). It is focused on levelling opportunities for children and youth.
Mr. Czarnecki is known for his passion for diving, especially in challenging surroundings, e.g. in caves. He holds a pilot's licence.
Polish and world record holder in diving[10]: