Arnaud Leclercq

Author

Leclercq published his latest book in November 2012 titled ‘La Russie, puissance d’Eurasie, Histoire géopolitique des origines à Poutine’ (Russian power in Eurasia, a geopolitical history from origins to Putin). This book undergone good reviews in French specialized magazines and was later published in Russian language. It was there unanimously appraised by critics and academics as an original as well as thorough analysis of Russia's geopolitics made by a foreigner. The Academy of Russian Foreign Affairs officially selected it as a reference book during a ceremony held in June 2015. Leclercq published his first book in 1991 which is a business guide to Hungary. He is now preparing an essay reflecting on contemporary major geopolitical shifts of paradigms. In addition to these works, Leclercq is also the author of a number of articles published in notable newspapers and magazines in Switzerland (Le Temps), France (Nouvelle Revue de Géopolitique and Conflits) and Russia (RBK Daily). Arnaud is also occasionally interviewed on radio station Voice of Russia, TV channel RT and in the Middle East (UAE).

Education and career

Leclercq completed his secondary education at College Stanislas in Paris. After graduation, he prepared to join the élite Saint Cyr military academy but opted from to complete a degree in law at Paris University Panthéon–Assas. He majored in corporate law & tax and completed a second diploma in comparative law. In 1989, while completing his studies and onwards, Leclercq worked as a lawyer where he was involved in the burgeoning activity of major acquisitions and East – West European joint ventures. In 1991, after witnessing the lucrative opportunities in Central Europe, Leclercq realized his next focus would be the Russian Federation where early stages of tremendous changes were appearing.

At the age of 25, Leclercq set up his own consulting firm in Moscow with a bias to provide legal advice to international companies moving to the region. During this time Leclercq was approached by one of the largest European banks to advise and set up its future offices in an extremely difficult and unstable environment. As a result of this success, other multinational groups such as Unilever, Microsoft, Digital Equipment, Schlumberger or Lazard approached the services of Leclercq’s firm.

After merging his firm with a US group in 1994, Leclercq returned to France to complete his MBA at HEC Paris (alumni). Upon graduation Leclercq joined the construction conglomerate, Bouygues International where he spent five years. During this period, Leclercq took part in challenging assignments in Poland and in Turkmenistan where he also was an advisor to the Office of the President for international business affairs. Few months prior Russia's default of August 1998, he returned to Moscow where, together with key local partners, he nevertheless led the development of the first large shopping mall by international standards.

In 2000, Leclercq relocated to Switzerland as he was invited to join Credit Suisse as a private banker where he shortly after became the global head of Eastern Europe and one of its most senior 20 Managing Directors.

In 2002, Leclercq completed studies with an executive program in finance at Stanford University and was later selected by Credit Suisse (2004) to attend Harvard Business School (alumni) within the General Manager Program.

Leclercq joined Lombard Odier on July 1, 2006, and became a Partner of Lombard Odier Capital Partners on January 1, 2007. Since then, he is the Group Managing Director responsible of the bank's private clients business in new markets.

Awards

In 2007, Leclercq was recognized as ‘Outstanding Young Private Banker – Europe’ at the Private Banker International Awards held that year in Singapore.

Personal life

Leclercq is married to a fine arts artist, they have four children and live in Switzerland since 2000.

In 2012, while dedicating his time to banking activities, Leclercq obtained his PhD summa cum laude from Paris I Sorbonne University. He is now a Fellow Professor of geopolitics at the MBA of HEC Paris business school (rated top 2 in Europe by Financial Times over the last five years). He still occasionally gives lectures or participates as a speaker to international conferences. Some of these included Ecole des hautes études internationales et politiques (Paris), Russian Economic Forum, the Academy of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Moscow), University of Krasnoyarsk, Private Banking World Middle East (Dubai), European banking and financial forum (Prague), Shorex Wealth Management Forum (Moscow, Geneva), Dubai Business Women Council...