The Rise of Digital Platforms for Investment and Wealth Management

The Amstel Group is a privately-owned institutional agency bond broker specialising in Asian markets, headquartered in Singapore with offices across Asia and London. Recently, it started to offer clearing, custody and settlement services to Wealth Managers, External Asset Managers, Family Offices and Accredited Investors, powered by BNY Mellon’s Pershing. Clients benefit from Pershing’s world-renowned platform supported by BNY Mellon’s financial strength while enjoying Amstel’s competitive pricing and unconflicted model.

Mark joined the Amstel Group in April 2023 to develop the Clearing, Settlement & Custody Services business. He brings deep knowledge and experience of clearing & custody solutions having led BNY Mellon’s Pershing business servicing wealth managers in in APAC for 20 years. Prior to that, he held senior positions at ING Barings’ institutional broking businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai and London. Mark is also an Executive Coach adopting the ontological approach, an independent Non-Executive Director of a Singapore general insurance company and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

Ren Jong, is an Executive Director, at DBS Bank, responsible for scaling the business by delivering data-led hyper-personalized journeys for both the frontline and clients through Client Connect – the primary employee workbench for the frontline including Relationship Managers. She has over 15 years of experience in designing and delivering digital capabilities for both Clients and Employees.

Joining Credit Suisse in 1998 as an analyst, Philipp Piaz commenced his comprehensive career in private banking and wealth management. During his time at Credit Suisse, Philipp held a number of senior roles, relocating from Zürich to Singapore in 2001 to undertake Thailand Private Client Business Development in his role as Vice President. In 2004, Philipp joined the senior management of Deutsche Bank AG, with whom he was affiliated for 5 years. In his role as Director, Philipp was responsible for the development of Deutsche Bank’s Thai Private Client Business. In 2009, he became Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Finaport, overseeing the expansion of the firm's Asian operations. Philipp is a founding member of the Association of Independent Asset Managers (AIAM) in Singapore, and was appointed President of the AIAM in 2018. Philipp undertook Elementary Studies of Economics and Law at University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Damien is the Regional Director Asia for InvestCloud. In that capacity Damien works with Banks and Insurers in finding technology oriented solutions to improve sales, advisory and relationship management processes. Despite being a trained lawyer, Damien’s love of zeros and ones drove him along a 18 year pilgrimage to the intersection of finance and technology, guiding world leading banks and insurers along the journey. He is based in Singapore and covers the major Asia banking centers.

Ivan joined Saxo Markets in 2011 and is responsible for developing the wholesale solutions business in APAC. He leads a team that exclusively focuses on engagements with banks, brokers, wealth management and fintech firms to form collaborative partnerships to deliver digital wealth services to their customers. Ivan has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, being well versed across all asset classes and financial technology solutions.

Steve Knabl has over 20 years of extensive experience in Alternative Fund Management, Private Wealth Management and Financial Services. He has worked with all major asset classes, including private & public equity, real estate, and cryptocurrency. Having led Swiss-Asia's fund platform for over 15 years, he plays a pivotal role conceptualizing and constructing Swiss-Asia's Fund projects from the ground up. His aptitude for translating intricate business visions into actionable initiatives has been a steadfast contributor to the success of both Swiss-Asia and its platform Funds. Steve's forward-thinking approach leverages technology to enhance operational efficiency and stay ahead in today’s competitive financial services landscape. His commitment to integrity, excellence, and innovation underscores Swiss-Asia's dedication to delivering top-tier services to platform funds and wealth managers. Steve’s breadth of industry knowledge garners many invitations to speak at industry panels and formal educational forums. Steve is a frequent lecturer at the Singapore Management University (SMU) MBA Class and guest speaker at many International Wealth Management Conferences and Forums throughout Asia. Steve is also registered as a Professional Director with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and the Singapore Fund Directors Association. Through the Swiss-Asia Group, he is a Registered Representative with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, a Registered Officer with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, and a Registered Principal with the National Futures Association (US).

Joining Credit Suisse in 1998 as an analyst, Philipp Piaz commenced his comprehensive career in private banking and wealth management. During his time at Credit Suisse, Philipp held a number of senior roles, relocating from Zürich to Singapore in 2001 to undertake Thailand Private Client Business Development in his role as Vice President. In 2004, Philipp joined the senior management of Deutsche Bank AG, with whom he was affiliated for 5 years. In his role as Director, Philipp was responsible for the development of Deutsche Bank’s Thai Private Client Business. In 2009, he became Co-Founder & Managing Partner at Finaport, overseeing the expansion of the firm's Asian operations. Philipp is a founding member of the Association of Independent Asset Managers (AIAM) in Singapore, and was appointed President of the AIAM in 2018. Philipp undertook Elementary Studies of Economics and Law at University of St. Gallen in Switzerland.

Ren Jong, is an Executive Director, at DBS Bank, responsible for scaling the business by delivering data-led hyper-personalized journeys for both the frontline and clients through Client Connect – the primary employee workbench for the frontline including Relationship Managers. She has over 15 years of experience in designing and delivering digital capabilities for both Clients and Employees.

Damien is the Regional Director Asia for InvestCloud. In that capacity Damien works with Banks and Insurers in finding technology oriented solutions to improve sales, advisory and relationship management processes. Despite being a trained lawyer, Damien’s love of zeros and ones drove him along a 18 year pilgrimage to the intersection of finance and technology, guiding world leading banks and insurers along the journey. He is based in Singapore and covers the major Asia banking centers.

Steve Knabl has over 20 years of extensive experience in Alternative Fund Management, Private Wealth Management and Financial Services. He has worked with all major asset classes, including private & public equity, real estate, and cryptocurrency. Having led Swiss-Asia's fund platform for over 15 years, he plays a pivotal role conceptualizing and constructing Swiss-Asia's Fund projects from the ground up. His aptitude for translating intricate business visions into actionable initiatives has been a steadfast contributor to the success of both Swiss-Asia and its platform Funds. Steve's forward-thinking approach leverages technology to enhance operational efficiency and stay ahead in today’s competitive financial services landscape. His commitment to integrity, excellence, and innovation underscores Swiss-Asia's dedication to delivering top-tier services to platform funds and wealth managers. Steve’s breadth of industry knowledge garners many invitations to speak at industry panels and formal educational forums. Steve is a frequent lecturer at the Singapore Management University (SMU) MBA Class and guest speaker at many International Wealth Management Conferences and Forums throughout Asia. Steve is also registered as a Professional Director with the Cayman Islands Monetary Authority and the Singapore Fund Directors Association. Through the Swiss-Asia Group, he is a Registered Representative with the Monetary Authority of Singapore, a Registered Officer with the Securities and Futures Commission of Hong Kong, and a Registered Principal with the National Futures Association (US).

Ivan joined Saxo Markets in 2011 and is responsible for developing the wholesale solutions business in APAC. He leads a team that exclusively focuses on engagements with banks, brokers, wealth management and fintech firms to form collaborative partnerships to deliver digital wealth services to their customers. Ivan has over 15 years of experience in the financial services industry, being well versed across all asset classes and financial technology solutions.

The Amstel Group is a privately-owned institutional agency bond broker specialising in Asian markets, headquartered in Singapore with offices across Asia and London. Recently, it started to offer clearing, custody and settlement services to Wealth Managers, External Asset Managers, Family Offices and Accredited Investors, powered by BNY Mellon’s Pershing. Clients benefit from Pershing’s world-renowned platform supported by BNY Mellon’s financial strength while enjoying Amstel’s competitive pricing and unconflicted model.

Mark joined the Amstel Group in April 2023 to develop the Clearing, Settlement & Custody Services business. He brings deep knowledge and experience of clearing & custody solutions having led BNY Mellon’s Pershing business servicing wealth managers in in APAC for 20 years. Prior to that, he held senior positions at ING Barings’ institutional broking businesses in Singapore, Hong Kong, Mumbai and London. Mark is also an Executive Coach adopting the ontological approach, an independent Non-Executive Director of a Singapore general insurance company and a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England & Wales.

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.