Ashik Chowdhury

Ashik Chowdhury, born Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun, is a Bangladeshi banker and executive chairman of Bangladesh Investment Development Authority and Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority.[1] He is also an amateur skydiver.[2]

Early life

Chowdhury was born in Chandpur and was raised in Jessore due to his fathers posting.[3] He studied at the Sylhet Cadet College.[3] He did his Bachelor of Business Administration from Institute of Business Administration, University of Dhaka.[4][5] He did his Master's in Finance from London Business School.[4][5] He is a Chartered Financial Analyst.[5]

Career

Chowdhury started his career as a Territory Officer of the British American Tobacco in February 2007.[4][3] He joined Standard Chartered Bank in August 2007 and worked there till March 2011 as a manager in the Lending Strategy and Financial Planning Division.[4][3] He co-founded The Bench, the first sports bar in Bangladesh.[4]

Chowdhury joined American Airlines in London in October 2012 as a financial and strategic analyst and left in May 2019 as the Head of Finance, Europe and Asia.[4] He was a visiting professor at the Bangladesh University of Professionals.[4][3] He was an advisor of Grameen Telecom Trust.[4] He joined HSBC Bangladesh before moving onto HSBC Singapore.[4] He was awarded the Professional Achievement Award by British Council Bangladesh.[6] He was the Associate Director of Infrastructure Finance Investment Banking in October 2024 when he left the post.[4]

In September 2024, Chowdhury was appointed Executive Chairman of the Bangladesh Investment Development Authority replacing Lokman Hossain Miah.[3] He was also appointed Executive Chairman of Bangladesh Economic Zones Authority replacing Md Sarwar Bari who was appointed in July 2024.[3][7]

Personal life

Chowdhury is an avid skydiver.[3][8] In Memphis, he jumped from 41,795 feet with a flag of Bangladesh.[9][10] He was sponsored by United Commercial Bank PLC.[11] He was awarded the Greatest Distance Freefall with a Banner or Flag record by Guinness World Records.[12] He also holds a private pilot license in Bangladesh.[5] He is married to Nabila who is also an IBA, DU graduate. They are blessed with a daughter and a son.

References

1. "Ashik Chowdhury appointed BIDA executive chairman". unb.com.bd. 12 September 2024. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
2. "Ashik Chowdhury, a professional skydiver, posing with the Bangladesh flag". today.thefinancialexpress.com.bd. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
3. "Ashik Chowdhury appointed executive chairman of BIDA". Bdnews24.com. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
4. "Ashik Chowdhury". LinkedIn. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
5. "Chowdhury Ashik Mahmud Bin Harun". Bangladesh Investment Development Authority. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
6. "British Council honour the success of UK Alumni in Bangladesh". British Council Bangladesh. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
7. "Sarwar Bari appointed new BEZA executive chairman". The Business Standard. 2024-07-04. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
8. "Ashik Chowdhury makes record-breaking jump from 41,000ft". Dhaka Tribune. 26 May 2024. Retrieved 1 November 2024.
9. Anika, Ayman (2024-05-26). "Ashik Chowdhury's record skydive from 41,000 feet!". The Daily Star. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
10. Mia, Sozib (2024-05-28). "Ashik jumps off plane with national flag". Prothomalo. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
11. "UCB to sponsor Ashik Chowdhury in his attempt to make Guinness World Record by jumping from 41,000 feet". The Business Standard. 2024-05-21. Retrieved 2024-11-01.
12. "Greatest distance freefall with a banner/flag". Guinness World Records Limited. Retrieved 1 November 2024.