A man for all seasons
Former career diplomat Charles W Freeman Jr leverages on his networks to build a company which sees profitability in sustainability.
AMBASSADOR Charles ("Chas") W Freeman Jr, a former career diplomat who has become later in life an international businessman, published last year a collection of commentaries on global affairs. The title, America's Misadventures in the Middle East and Interesting Times: China, America, and the Shifting Balance of Prestige, conveyed what Mr Freeman was all about.
A dedicated public servant, he has represented the United States under Republican and Democratic presidents in almost every corner of the world. Name the country, and the 72-year-old was probably stationed there at one point during his career.
He is fluent in French, Spanish and Chinese, and can converse in Arabic, Italian and Portuguese among several other languages, and has an encyclopaedic knowledge of almost every subject you can think about. A professional diplomat - he was the editor of the Encyclopaedia Britannica's entry on "diplomacy" - Mr Freeman is also not afraid to speak his mind. And he is, to boot, a witty kind of guy with a great sense of humour.
BT is now on Telegram!
For daily updates on weekdays and specially selected content for the weekend. Subscribe to t.me/BizTimes
Features
Not just fun and games: How mobile games have become big business
Robot at your service: Singapore companies ride global wave to build next-gen robots
Nuclear power debate heats up in South-east Asia
Jurong Island: In search of a new miracle
Stay awhile: How long-stay serviced apartments may change the housing landscape
This was village life in Britain 3,000 years ago