Richard Chandler

Singapore resident since 2008, got his start in 1986, when he and brother Christopher, also a billionaire, sold their parents' retailing business to invest in Hong Kong real estate. They cofounded investment firm Sovereign Global, focusing on emerging economies in Russia, Latin America, Asia and Eastern Europe. After they split in 2006, he started Orient Global in Singapore, which invests in emerging markets. Renamed it R.F. Chandler last year. Has $100 million fund aimed at improving education in the developing world; established Freedom to Create prize in 2008 to foster artistic expression. Chandler bought a stake in IndiaBulls Pharmaceuticals through Singapore-based Clermont Group that currently has large minority stakes in Axis Bank, Indiabulls Real Estate and Ujjivan Financial Services, together valued at nearly Rs 4,000 crore now. The New Zealand-born Chandler was recently in the news for his philanthropic initiative named Co-Impact, which has Bill & Melinda Gates, Jeff Skoll (of eBay fame) and The Rockefeller Foundation as his core-partners. Infosys chairman Nandan Nilekani and his wife Rohini have also joined Chandler's initiative through EkStep Foundation, co-founded by the couple.