In a compelling presentation at the Hubbis Independent Wealth Forum in Dubai on March 6, Bryan Henning, the Senior Vice President and Head of International at Eton Solutions, shared some invaluable insights into how family offices can significantly enhance their value delivery through technological innovation. Henning, who has been an integral part of Asia's wealth management scene since 1994 and joined Eton Solutions as a partner two years ago, emphasised the role of technology in the evolving landscape of wealth management, particularly for family offices.

The clamour for personalised investment strategies and differentiation amongst wealth managers reverberates louder than ever, demanding smart approaches from the independent wealth management community. In an illuminating panel discussion at the Hubbis Independent Wealth Forum in Dubai on March 6, a small group of investment experts shed invaluable light on the art and science of delivering a client-centric, truly objective investment proposition. They dissect the nuances of strategic differentiation and bespoke advisory in wealth management and unravelled a number of complexities that underpin the delivery of tailored financial solutions. From hybrid models merging the agility of boutique firms with the muscle of larger conglomerates to the staunch advocacy for pure, unbiased advice devoid of inherent conflicts, the conversation navigated through the spectrum of discretionary management, the leveraging of unique investment opportunities, the creation of bespoke portfolios, and the irreplaceable value of the human element in relationship management. Most importantly, in a crowded market, they stressed the importance of diverse strategies to align closely with their clients' intricate needs and aspirations.

Plurimi stands as a distinguished independent wealth management firm with a global footprint, featuring offices in London, Dubai, Monaco, and Gibraltar. Boasting a dedicated Global team of 35 private bankers, many of whom bring rich experiences from Swiss banking institutions, Plurimi offers both advisory and discretionary investment services (with the latter provided through its London office). Its extensive operations are supported by a global platform that accommodates assets across 30 custodian banks. In a recent discussion, Hubbis engaged with Taimur Satti, CEO of Plurimi's Dubai office. Beyond his leadership and executive role, Taimur actively manages a client portfolio, providing insights into Plurimi's strategic direction, client-centric strategies, and its ambition to make a significant impact in the region.

The Hubbis Independent Wealth Management Forum of March 6 in Dubai saw a panel of independent wealth experts assemble to discuss how the industry should align the right strategies, operational models and tools to ensure they can compete effectively and deliver the best outcomes for their clients, their team members and their owners. One of the experts on the panel was Dean Kemble, Chief Commercial Officer at GSB Capital. Established in 2021, GSB Capital recently attained CISI CharteredTM status from The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI) in January of this year, becoming the first-ever international firm and the first in the Middle East to achieve that recognition. The accolade is a feather in the cap for GSB, which Ross and Alison Whatnall founded. In a recent interview with Hubbis, Dean explained that GSB has been providing an increasingly wide range of wealth management and broader financial services to clients seeking high-quality investment, financial planning, private banking, lending and corporate finance expertise. During this panel discussion, he offered his insights into what the independent wealth platform needs for operational and client-centric success.

Mashreq, a stalwart in the UAE’s financial sector, is on an ambitious journey to redefine its position as not just the region’s oldest bank but as a global leader in private banking. That mission is underpinned by a strategic vision articulated in a recent discussion by Navin Chokhani, Head of Client Value Management, Private Banking and Biju Thomas, Senior Director & Head of Family Office. They explained how the bank aims to transcend its regional expertise to strengthen the international footprint and attract a diverse global clientele to complement its regional market presence, and offer a one-stop solution for a variety of wealth, banking, and curated solutions. This forward-looking plan includes expanding operations into new markets including Egypt and other GCC countries and enhancing digital platforms to blend innovation with personalised client service. Through these initiatives, Mashreq aspires to be a transformative player in the UAE and broader Middle East financial landscape, offering bespoke wealth management solutions that cater to the nuanced needs of high-net-worth individuals across the globe.

Tanul Mehra is the CEO & Executive Director of UCAP Asset Management (Middle East), based in Dubai. He took on this role in February 2023, arriving from a position as Chief Investment Officer & Head of Private Banking at Habib Capital, a position he had held for over six years after working at DBS in Dubai, following their purchase of Société Générale Private Banking Asia, where he had been working. Hubbis spoke to Tanul recently, to learn more about the business and the missions ahead. He considers client-centricity and close, trusting and enduring relationships as the two vital elements that drive the independent wealth market forward in the region. The potential of the market can be seized by any well-structured EAM that can deliver these consistently.