Maximising the Discussion around Wealth & Estate Solutions in the Middle East

Laurence is the Regional Director, Client Solutions, EMEA for Asiaciti Trust in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He joined Asiaciti Trust in late 2012 and has over 30 years’ experience in the offshore finance industry. Based in the Middle East for the past 25 years he has particular skills and experience in cross border planning, the establishment of offshore trusts, foundations and company formation. Before joining Asiaciti Trust he held a number of senior positions within the Trust & Fiduciary industry and more recently was Head of Fiduciary Services, MENAP for a major international financial institution in the Dubai International Financial Centre. In these roles he successfully serviced clients in the EMEA region with their international needs and works closely with other cross border specialists in the establishment of international trusts and a variety of investment structures. Laurence maintains a comprehensive knowledge of legislative changes and industry trends affecting cross-border issues. He is a full member of STEP Worldwide (Society of Trust and Estate Planners) and was the founding Chairman of STEP Arabia.

Nirav is qualified as Chartered Accountant from Gujarat, India. Being an excellent academia, he has secured 6th Rank in Inter CA and 36th rank in CA Finals. He then moved to KPMG in Mumbai and had specialized in International Tax and Finance and is advising on various cross border transactions from International and Domestic Tax and Regulatory perspective. His skills help companies do set up right Corporate Holding structure for the group, Evaluation of New Business/Investment Opportunities, Strategic Inputs/Reviews for businesses and Managing Compliance issues. Nirav has a 25 plus years’ experience from own practice to leading consulting firm to working with large family-owned corporate group. He has a hands-on experience of establishing and managing structures and compliances in more than 12 jurisdictions; evolving suitable corporate structures for holding companies, acquisition of business, financing, and IP optimization structures; establishing suitable family structures for Asset protection, succession planning, efficient ownership, and valuable experience of operating in multiple jurisdictions. Nirav had successfully conducted VAT Trainings for Dubai SME, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Dubai, Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) Dubai and Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai (to name a few), with a total participant of around 1,600+ Professionals who work from 550+ Companies, coming from the 7 Emirates of UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah). Nirav is also a full member of Society of Trust and Estate Planners (STEP).

Following a distinguished career in the Royal Navy, Tim relocated to the Middle East and established Globaleye in 1999. His vision was to build a global organisation that met the demands of the modern financial services industry whilst addressing the ever-growing complexities of financial planning of global citizens. This is continuously achieved by working collaboratively with Private Banks, Trustees, Law Firms, Family Offices and Fiduciaries to create effective client liquidity and inter-generational wealth transfer solutions that meet the modern needs of HNW families. He is now the CEO and Chairman of Globaleye group, spanning offices from Asia, Africa, Middle East and Europe. Under his leadership, the company has been recognized and awarded for adhering to international standards of financial advice, fully regulated and partnered with some of the largest global financial and insurance institutions. Having appeared on TV and Radio he is a regular commentator in the financial press too. Normally based in the UAE, his partner is a member of the Ruling family of Dubai. When not in Dubai, he has a farm in Devon with his wife Louise, four children, one grandchild and is an avid MG enthusiast.

Sunita leads Stephenson Harwood Middle East LLP's private wealth practice from the Dubai office, where the team focus on assisting clients in the GCC, Middle East, Africa and SW Asia. Sunita is a full member of STEP (Africa and Arabia) and speaks at various international forums and conferences in the Middle East and SW Asia. Sunita has established intrinsic relationships with private banks, financial and legal advisers, corporate service providers and the regulators (DIFC and ADGM). Sunita also publishes regular newsletters that are circulated to the international private wealth advisory community covering topical issues and updates. Young Lawyer of the Year Award (NRI) from the Indian National Bar Association. Sunita has been nominated and shortlisted in the Citywealth Powerwomen Awards 2020 as "Inspirational Woman of the Year" and has been named a key India Lawyer in both the Indian Business Law Journal's 2019 Report and the Global Stars Report 2017. She was conferred an international accolade of recognition  by the Indian Corporate Counsel Association (ICCA) of India's Most Trusted Corporate Lawyer in 2017. She has actively promoted womens' empowerment for young professional women in India and the Middle East and is a professional mentor for young female executives in the Middle East.

David Varley is Chief High Net Worth Officer at Sun Life Financial in Hong Kong. He specializes in HNW and Ultra HNW Planning and Insurance Structuring solutions for clients and families in Asia. He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with an Honors in Management, and a thesis in Innovation – from Melbourne University. Previously he was Head of HNW for Asia for AXA, and Head of International Business for Aviva.

Laurence is the Regional Director, Client Solutions, EMEA for Asiaciti Trust in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. He joined Asiaciti Trust in late 2012 and has over 30 years’ experience in the offshore finance industry. Based in the Middle East for the past 25 years he has particular skills and experience in cross border planning, the establishment of offshore trusts, foundations and company formation. Before joining Asiaciti Trust he held a number of senior positions within the Trust & Fiduciary industry and more recently was Head of Fiduciary Services, MENAP for a major international financial institution in the Dubai International Financial Centre. In these roles he successfully serviced clients in the EMEA region with their international needs and works closely with other cross border specialists in the establishment of international trusts and a variety of investment structures. Laurence maintains a comprehensive knowledge of legislative changes and industry trends affecting cross-border issues. He is a full member of STEP Worldwide (Society of Trust and Estate Planners) and was the founding Chairman of STEP Arabia.

Nirav is qualified as Chartered Accountant from Gujarat, India. Being an excellent academia, he has secured 6th Rank in Inter CA and 36th rank in CA Finals. He then moved to KPMG in Mumbai and had specialized in International Tax and Finance and is advising on various cross border transactions from International and Domestic Tax and Regulatory perspective. His skills help companies do set up right Corporate Holding structure for the group, Evaluation of New Business/Investment Opportunities, Strategic Inputs/Reviews for businesses and Managing Compliance issues. Nirav has a 25 plus years’ experience from own practice to leading consulting firm to working with large family-owned corporate group. He has a hands-on experience of establishing and managing structures and compliances in more than 12 jurisdictions; evolving suitable corporate structures for holding companies, acquisition of business, financing, and IP optimization structures; establishing suitable family structures for Asset protection, succession planning, efficient ownership, and valuable experience of operating in multiple jurisdictions. Nirav had successfully conducted VAT Trainings for Dubai SME, The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (ICAI) Dubai, Jain International Trade Organization (JITO) Dubai and Indian Business & Professional Council (IBPC) Dubai (to name a few), with a total participant of around 1,600+ Professionals who work from 550+ Companies, coming from the 7 Emirates of UAE (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah). Nirav is also a full member of Society of Trust and Estate Planners (STEP).

David Varley is Chief High Net Worth Officer at Sun Life Financial in Hong Kong. He specializes in HNW and Ultra HNW Planning and Insurance Structuring solutions for clients and families in Asia. He has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree, with an Honors in Management, and a thesis in Innovation – from Melbourne University. Previously he was Head of HNW for Asia for AXA, and Head of International Business for Aviva.

Michael is a prominent figure in the financial services industry in Asia. He is the founder and CEO of Hubbis, a renowned provider of intelligence and connectivity for the Asian wealth management industry. With a depth of experience and expertise, he has played a pivotal role in shaping the industry for over 30 years, becoming a leading industry presence in the events, professional development, and publishing space in the region. Hubbis is a multi-generational family-owned and managed business.

He has been actively involved in the Asia-Pacific region since 1993. And has lived in Asia since 1995, holding positions in Hong Kong, Sydney, and Singapore. 

For over 14-years, Hubbis has established itself as the gold standard media and events brand in wealth management thought leadership in Asia. Each year providing a very large body of cutting-edge editorial and sponsored content, organizing top-flight events. During that time Hubbis has become the platform of choice for many high-profile C-suite leaders to communicate their vision of the Asian wealth management.

Before his involvement with Hubbis, Michael founded Pacific Prospect in 2002, a financial services media company. Under his leadership, the company achieved significant success and was subsequently acquired by global business-to-business publisher Incisive Media in 2006. Michael continued to serve as the CEO of Pacific Prospect until October 2008. Prior to his entrepreneurial ventures, Michael garnered 5 years of experience in financial markets publishing.

His career in this field began in 1993 when he joined Euromoney Publications as the publisher of the quarterly magazine, International Bond Investor. In 1995, Michael joined Thomson Financial Services (now owned by LSEG) and spearheaded the conception and launch of Finance Asia magazine. During his tenure as Managing Director of Finance Asia, he also initiated the Asian Debt Review, Asian Private Capital Magazine, and the Finance Asia Conference Business. In 1997, he founded FIA Limited, further expanding his contributions to the financial publishing industry.

Born in North Wales, Michael served as the head boy of St David's College Llandudno. He holds a degree in Business Administration from Cardiff University. Beyond his professional endeavours, Michael is a family-oriented individual and is happily married with three children: Reanna, Garett, and Tarryn.