Timur Turlov has built a reputation as an entrepreneur who sees opportunities where finance, technology and education meet. As the founder and CEO of Freedom Holding Corp,he has helped grow a brokerage business into an international financial services group. His interest in chess has also become an important part of his public work, as explained in this profile of Timur Turlov, whose career now connects financial innovation with the development of one of the world's most widely played strategic games.
An Entrepreneur With a Long-Term Vision
Turlov's career in finance began when he was young. He got some experience in the trading/brokerage business and established Freedom Finance in 2008. The company's early focus was on providing investors the opportunity to invest in international markets, an area that was gaining prominence as technology made it easier and more accessible to invest abroad.
The company expanded its activities further, and in 2012 started functioning in Kazakhstan. In 2019, Freedom Holding Corp. consolidated several entities into a single corporate entity and listed on the Nasdaq stock exchange.
It was an important milestone in the company's evolution. The listing on the Nasdaq provided increased visibility for the company and provided an international investment environment. Since then, Freedom Holding's operation has grown to encompass financial services and technology-related companies.
The company's development is emblematic of a broader evolution in the financial sector. Customers' expectations for their investment, banking and payment and other services are increasingly linked with digital access. Those businesses who can link these services and still keep their operations running have possibilities to reach out to new audiences.
Building a Connected Financial Ecosystem
Freedom Holding Corp has operations in various segments such as securities brokerage, banking, insurance, digital services. It has businesses such as Freedom Bank, Freedom Finance and payment services, as well as newer ones in telecommunications and lifestyle platform services.
The concept is simple, customers need multiple financial services and digital technology can help them get the services they need from a single location.
In its fiscal 2025 results, which were released in June 2025, Freedom Holding generated revenue of nearly $2.05 billion in the year that ended March 31, 2025, versus $1.67 billion in the prior-year period. It's also shown continued investment in its digital ecosystem, with the results.
These figures help to give a sense of the size of the company and its future expansion plans. Meanwhile, financial results should be judged against a variety of indicators such as profitability, risk, and quality of future growth, not revenue.
The big problem for Turlov is to turn an expanding portfolio of businesses into services that people really find value in. While technology can help, it's important to build customer trust, good management and responsible finance practices as well.
Why Chess Has Become an Important Part of His Work
In addition to finance, Turlov has been deeply engaged in the development of chess. In 2023 he was elected president of the Chess Federation of Kazakhstan and has promoted the development of chess and its participation among youngsters.
Chess is an especially appealing game for several reasons, one of which is that it is a game of competition, yet it can also be a game of education. Players develop an awareness of consequences, identify patterns, manage time and adapt plans when change happens. These skills are applicable in the classroom as well as in the workplace.
Investing in chess infrastructure can also provide opportunities to those with talent but without the opportunity to receive high level instruction or to compete at tournaments or international events. Through school programmes and youth events, the game is introduced to new audiences and a wider base of development is created.
Freedom Holding has been actively supporting chess projects in Kazakhstan, such as chess tournaments and development programs. This kind of support illustrates the impact of private enterprise in providing resources for something outside their normal commercial business.
The long term effects of these programs will be determined by the continued participation, access to training, and ability of local organisations to continue their programs.
A New Chapter at the International Level
At the International Chess Federation (FIDE) General Assembly in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, on 26th September, 2026, Turlov was elected as the new President of FIDE. He received 110 votes in the second round, which beat Arkady Dvorkovich.
The appointment will give him more scope to be a part of the development of chess globally. FIDE is responsible for international chess competitions and cooperates with the national federations in organizing and promoting chess.
Turlov's insights cover various aspects of his approach including digital modernisation, chess education and improved support for national federations. Digital tools potentially can enable better communication, make resources more accessible and provide better services to players and tournament organisers.
But it's not all about technology and money for international sports leadership. It demands a team effort between federations of varying needs, transparency in decision making and consideration of players across the range of competition from school to elite.
While his business knowledge may have some helpful insights to offer on the matter of organisational development, the success of his presidency will be measured by the very tangible outcomes he can deliver to the international chess community.
Connecting Business, Education and Opportunity
Turlov's career is an intriguing blend of two seemingly unrelated worlds: finance and chess. Both require strategic thinking, long-term planning and decisions under uncertainty. He has worked in these areas, demonstrating an interest in investment and organisation as means to wider development.
The next phase for Freedom Holding will be ensuring ongoing business effectiveness and meeting evolving customer needs and valuations. The challenge for FIDE will be to increase the number of participants, help the national federations and ensure modernisation is good for the whole chess community.
Both goals are not going to be achieved in a flash. For sustainable development to be achieved, priorities need to be established, management and attention need to be responsible and continuous to the users and beneficiaries of these organisations.
Entrepreneurship can be transferred to the field of education and sport as it can be seen in Turlov's career. The best gauge of his success will be the value he brings to his customers and young players and the institutions that he leads that endure.
