We were delighted to host our inaugural Middle East Independent Wealth Management Forum on March 15, 2023 for the Private Wealth Management Community.

The event was exclusively created for the growing number of independent wealth management firms operating in and setting up in the UAE, including the growing ranks of Multi-Family Offices (MFOs), External Asset Managers (EAMs), Boutique Private Banks and also Independent Financial Advisers. These firms are all keen to enhance their presence and visibility for local, regional and the increasing numbers of international private clients in the region or working through the UAE for their wealth management and structuring needs.

 

Mar 15

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM - Dubai 2023

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai), United Arab Emirates

Featured Partners
All Partners

A community of leading organisations within Asian Wealth Management

Featured speakers
All event speakers

Senior figures in Asian Wealth Management are speaking at this event

Marc-Andre Sola

1291 Group

Mario Timpanaro

AQUIS Capital

Mehrez Kheir

Abbey Road Investment

David Doerig

Corecam

Gary Dugan

DALMA CAPITAL - Global CEO Office

Anita Krishna Gupta

Emirates NBD

Bryan Henning

Eton Solutions

Satyen Patel

Eton Solutions

Why you should attend Hubbis events

Connect

Connectivity across Private Banking, Independent Wealth Management, Retail Banking, Asset Management, Insurance, Technology, Professional Services and other communities.

Learn

Find out how the industry can develop further & lessons it can learn from elsewhere. Improve skills and knowledge through a practical, enjoyable and interactive learning experience.

Enjoy

Hubbis events are not only consistent, relevant, engaging and unique but also highly positive, and fun experiences.

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PHILIPPINES WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM 2024

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai), United Arab Emirates

We were delighted to host our annual PHILIPPINES WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM on Wednesday 20t...

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Event Agenda
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  • 8.30am

    Registration

  • 8.55am

    Welcome Address

    Michael Stanhope

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Hubbis

  • 9.00am

    Panel Discussion - in partnership with Saxo Bank

    Independent Wealth Mangers – Defining and Refining the Proposition in the UAE

    • How is the independent wealth management market developing in the UAE? How did the pandemic effect the opportunity?
    • Why did it make sense to set up an office here? – perhaps in addition to Singapore, Hong Kong or Switzerland?
    • Other more mature EAM markets such as Singapore & Hong Kong have an industry “Association” – do we think an industry association would be useful in Dubai / UAE?
    • Who are the target clients, and what specific requirements do they have?
    • What are the regulators and authorities doing to encourage the growth of the independent wealth management community in the UAE?
    • How do traditional wealth managers, such as international or local Private Banks, view this development? Will they collaborate or compete?
    • What is the UAE doing to increase the quality of local private banking platforms? Are we likely to see more custody here in the future rather than local PBs in Switzerland – Singapore etc?
    • Will foreign private banks do more here? Are EAMs forming a larger part of the business for private banks?
    • What services can independent wealth managers offer clients in UAE which are unique? For example local markets and IPO access, gold storage, art ect.
    • Should there be higher hurdles to setting up an EAM/MFO?

    Chair

    Damian Hitchen

    Chief Executive Officer, MENA

    Saxo

    Speakers

    David Doerig

    Chief Operating Officer

    Corecam

    Salman Haider

    Chief Executive Officer - Group Wealth Management

    Habib Bank AG Zurich

    Dean Kemble

    Chief Commercial Officer

    GSB Capital

    Daniel Williams

    Managing Partner

    Sigma Private Office

  • 9.30am

    Q&A Interactive Case-Study - HAYAH Insurance: Building a cutting-edge digital life insurer

    Chair

    Michael Stanhope

    Founder & Chief Executive Officer

    Hubbis

    Speakers

    David Howard

    Head of Strategy and Digital Transformation

    HAYAH Insurance

    Mohamed Seghir

    Chief Executive Officer

    HAYAH Insurance

    Fredrik Daveus

    CEO

    Kidbrooke

    HAYAH Insurance, the UAE-based life insurer, recently partnered with Kidbrooke to build engaging self-service investment journeys with OutRank®, the financial simulation engine driving Hayah's new goals-based financial planning experiences.

    • Join the discussion of the role of financial simulation and forecasting in delivering a superior customer experience.
    • Hear about why realistic simulation and forecasting is a core aspect of generating demand for financial services, and why the quality of modelling matters.
    • Learn about the practicalities of an international technology partnership, and how it can help realise a powerful vision for the future of investment services.
  • 9.45am

    Panel Discussion

    Independent Wealth Managers – Getting it right and Growing the Business

    • Why set up an EAM/MFO?
    • What is the nature of a sustainable platform? And the challenges of creating a successful and profitable business?
    • What are the business models that are relevant to this segment?
    • How can you build and retain the right talent to compete effectively?
    • How are the specific requirements of clients changing? Why do they use an EAM / MFO?
    • How can you find the right type of RMs to join the team? Why should they join and EAM?
    • Who do you partner with for success? Platforms / Investments / Tech / Professional Services
    • MFO vs SFO - How does a client choose?
    • Execution and Custody - What are the choices?

    Chair

    Bryan Henning

    SVP, Head of International

    Eton Solutions

    Speakers

    Anmol Budhraja

    Founder and CEO

    Three Comma Capital Advisors

    Mithun Ghosh

    Head of Client Coverage, Asia & Middle East, Group Chief Risk Officer

    Taurus Wealth Advisors

    Sunita Singh-Dalal

    Partner, Private Wealth & Family Offices

    Hourani & Partners

  • 10.15am

    Presentation - How can a Wealth Protection Plan help you navigate the many challenges today?

    Marc-Andre Sola

    Founder & Chairman

    1291 Group

    In today‘s world UHNW families are exposed to many challenges that potentially destroy their wealth - global fiscal controls, international transparency, cross boarder regulations and political uncertainty – to name a few. As Professionals we face overwhelming legal and reputational risks. How can a solid Wealth Protection Plan help overcome these issues?

    • What does Wealth Protection Planning mean?
    • How does a great Wealth Protection Plan help clients and Professionals!
    • What solutions are available and how are they different?
    • What are the highlights of the most complete Wealth Protection Plan?
  • 10.30am

    Presentation - How are investors engaging China in the year of the Rabbit?

    Jian Shi Cortesi

    Investment Director

    GAM Investments

    • How is China emerging form Covid-19 restrictions? Will this super-charge the economy?
    • Where do you find the best value this years and what are the risks to avoid?
    • What is GAM’s approach to maximising this opportunity?
  • 10.45am

    Presentation - Lumen Vietnam – Investment Pearl in Southeast Asia

    Mario Timpanaro

    Fund Manager - Lumen Vietnam Fund

    AQUIS Capital

    • China Plus One Strategy: Vietnam
    • Macro Insights
    • Why Vietnam? Vietnam is an excellent diversification for your portfolio
  • 11.00am

    Refreshment & Networking

  • 11.30am

    Presentation - Why does the world need Wealth advisors?

    Nicholas Wright

    Regional Head of Institutional Business

    Saxo

    • Advisors and private wealth managers face an increasingly challenging external operating environment. What are the main challenges?
    • Which focus does the industry have on helping clients understand their investing mentality and emotional state over time as an investor? What is the risk of a product-focus game?
    • How can advisors become even more client-focused and create a better financial future for their clients?
    • What does the modern advisor’s digital toolset look like, and what should it look like? Digital communication throughout the investment life cycle, central portfolio management and AI are some of the new ways to provide investment advice or managed investment solutions.
  • 11.45am

    Presentation - Transforming a Family Office to Reimagine the Value it Delivers

    Satyen Patel

    Executive Chairman

    Eton Solutions

    • Setting up a family office to deliver scalable advantage for tomorrow
    • Using technology to create operational leverage and efficiencies
    • Digitalising governance functions within the Family Office and across family members and key advisors
  • 12.00pm

    Panel Discussion

    Curating and Delivering Independent Advice

    • What must you offer to deliver a genuinely client-first advisory offering? 
    • Is the client happy to pay a fee for advice, and what are the key trends emerging? 
    • How would you explain your value proposition? How can you differentiate yourself?
    • Do you need an investment adviser or CIO to run a meaningful and effective boutique independent wealth management firm in the UAE?
    • How do you manage risk, curate research and deliver the best asset allocation?
    • What are the implications of regulatory initiatives in the UAE and more broadly in the region?
    • Where do you get the best inputs when considering the advice that you give to clients?
    • How do professional services firms help when curating ‘genuine’ independent advice to clients?

    Chair

    Philippe Amarante

    Managing Partner, Head of Dubai and Pakistan

    Henley & Partners

    Speakers

    Joseph El Am

    General Manager MENA

    StashAway

    Alastair Glover

    Partner - Private Wealth

    Trowers & Hamlins

    Tim Searle

    Founder and Chairman

    Globaleye

    Mehrez Kheir

    Partner and Managing Director

    Abbey Road Investment

  • 12.30pm

    Presentation - Creating alpha with data-driven investments in private credit

    Radek Jezbera

    CEO and Co-Founder

    Kilde

    • Data-driven investing is no longer exclusive to public markets. Using the power of big data and artificial intelligence, investors can now reap large yields from private assets such as consumer and MSMEs loans.
    • In fact, in a year fraught with uncertainty - 2022 - we were able to achieve an 11.6% annual return for our private credit notes along with 160% collateral cash coverage.
    • By leveraging artificial intelligence software that mines loan repayment data for small loans over short tenures, it is possible to establish a reliable cash flow baseline used as collateral; creating lucrative fixed income opportunities previously only available to banks.
  • 12.45pm

    Panel Discussion - in partnership with GAM Investments

    Curating winning client portfolios following a challenging year

    • What are the opportunities and challenges for the year ahead?
    • How are you managing risk in 2023? Is it time to take on more risk?
    • What's your favourite asset class now?
    • Where will inflation be at the end of the year?
    • How are you generating income for clients?
    • What's your view on alternative investments? Digital assets? Private Markets?
    • How do you choose the right investment partners?
    • How can you consistently deliver performance and differentiate your offering?
    • How do you translate your view into actionable outcomes for each client based on their needs?

    Chair

    Philip Rosenberg

    Managing Director and Head of Distribution - Middle East

    GAM Investments

    Speakers

    Gary Dugan

    Chief Executive Officer

    DALMA CAPITAL - Global CEO Office

    Fadi Barakat

    Chief Investment Officer

    REYL Intesa Sanpaolo

    Anita Krishna Gupta

    Head of Equity Strategy, CIO Office

    Emirates NBD

    Jian Shi Cortesi

    Investment Director

    GAM Investments

  • 1.15pm

    Lunch & Networking

  • 2.00pm

    Forum Ends

Mar 15

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM - Dubai 2023

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai),United Arab Emirates

Speakers

Marc-Andre Sola

1291 Group

Mario Timpanaro

AQUIS Capital

Mehrez Kheir

Abbey Road Investment

David Doerig

Corecam

Gary Dugan

DALMA CAPITAL - Global CEO Office

Anita Krishna Gupta

Emirates NBD

Bryan Henning

Eton Solutions

Satyen Patel

Eton Solutions

Philip Rosenberg

GAM Investments

Jian Shi Cortesi

GAM Investments

Dean Kemble

GSB Capital

Tim Searle

Globaleye

Mohamed Seghir

HAYAH Insurance

David Howard

HAYAH Insurance

Salman Haider

Habib Bank AG Zurich

Philippe Amarante

Henley & Partners

Sunita Singh-Dalal

Hourani & Partners

Fredrik Daveus

Kidbrooke

Radek Jezbera

Kilde

Fadi Barakat

REYL Intesa Sanpaolo

Nicholas Wright

Saxo

Damian Hitchen

Saxo

Daniel Williams

Sigma Private Office

Joseph El Am

StashAway

Mithun Ghosh

Taurus Wealth Advisors

Anmol Budhraja

Three Comma Capital Advisors

Alastair Glover

Trowers & Hamlins

Mar 15

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM - Dubai 2023

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai),United Arab Emirates

Partners

platinum

gold

silver

Mar 15

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM - Dubai 2023

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai),United Arab Emirates

Summary

Setting the Scene for the 2023 Independent Wealth Forum – Dubai

The independent wealth management (IWM) segment has grown apace in the past 15 or so years in Asia, but it remains far less established than, for example, in Europe or the US, with an estimated 30% of assets managed by boutique firms in Switzerland against estimates of 5% to perhaps (very optimistically) 10% in Asia. In the UAE and more broadly in the Middle East, the independent wealth management model and the overall offering are at an earlier phase of development, but the momentum is very clearly building, and the regulators, authorities and private sector participants are all very evidently eager to propel the proposition forward.

The wealth market in the UAE is expanding and diversifying rapidly, as private wealth sourced in the region increases apace, and as the UAE attracts more private clients to visit and rising numbers of HNW and also UHNW clients to move themselves and often their families to the region, including to establish single- and multifamily offices in their chosen jurisdiction.

This all serves as a magnet for more and also perhaps higher-quality participants from the international independent wealth management (IWM) community - from Europe, Singapore, and Hong Kong primarily – to consider establishing operations in the region, perhaps out of Dubai’s DIFC or Abu Dhabi’s ADGM.

In short, the IWM sector has much more potential, and there is plenty of room for growth from existing players and from the growing ranks of new entrants.

But what are the strategies, products, investment, technologies, talent, and approaches required to seize the many opportunities ahead? The answer to these questions centre on the growth potential for the independent wealth sector, which are clear for all to see, but with more challenging global investment conditions and difficult geopolitics, strategies must be honed and adapted to ensure the great growth potential ahead is indeed grasped.

The INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM 2023 – Dubai will mine down into the shafts of the UAE’s wealth management market to discover exactly where the growth will come from, and therefore what strategies the incumbent independents and the new entrants will need to adopt to seize those opportunities.

The market is surely there, but the independents need to keep their eyes set firmly on the targets and chart a course for their businesses, their people and their clients that will eventually see the independent wealth sector emulate the great success of their peers in more mature markets such as in Asia, or indeed in that bastion of IWM success, Switzerland.

In addition to 5 Presentations, we will host four timely and interesting panel discussions, as follows:

 

Panel One
Independent Wealth Mangers – Defining and Refining the Proposition in the UAE

  • How is the independent wealth management market developing in the UAE?
  • Does it make sense to set up an office here – perhaps in addition to Singapore, Hong Kong or Switzerland?
  • How did the market evolve and develop in Singapore? What is the role of the Association of Independent Wealth Managers (AIWM)? Why don’t we have an association in the UAE?
  • Who are the target clients, and what specific requirements do they have?
  • What are the regulators and authorities doing to encourage the growth of the independent wealth management community in the UAE?
  • How do traditional wealth managers view this development? Will they collaborate or compete?
  • What is the UAE doing to increase the quality of local private banking platforms? Are we likely to see more custody here in the future?
  • Will foreign private banks do more here? Are EAMs forming a larger part of the business for private banks?
  • What services can independent wealth managers offer clients in UAE which are unique?
  • Should there be higher hurdles to setting up an EAM/MFO?

 


Panel Two
Independent Wealth Managers – Getting it right and Growing the Business

  • Why set up an EAM/MFO?
  • What is the nature of a sustainable platform? And the challenges of creating a successful and profitable business?
  • What are the business models that are relevant to this segment?
  • How can you build and retain the right talent to compete effectively?
  • How are the specific requirements of clients changing? Why do they use an EAM / MFO?
  • How can you find the right type of RMs to join the team? Why should they join and EAM?
  • Who do you partner with for success? Platforms / Investments / Tech / Professional Services
  • MFO vs SFO - How does a client choose?
  • Execution and Custody - What are the choices?

 

Panel Three
Curating and Delivering Independent Advice

  • What must you offer to deliver a genuinely client-first advisory offering?  
  • Is the client happy to pay a fee for advice, and what are the key trends emerging?  
  • How would you explain your value proposition? How can you differentiate yourself?
  • Do you need an investment adviser or CIO to run a meaningful and effective boutique independent wealth management firm in the UAE?
  • How do you manage risk, curate research and deliver the best asset allocation?
  • What are the implications of regulatory initiatives in the UAE and more broadly in the region?
  • Where do you get the best inputs when considering the advice that you give to clients?
  • How do professional services firms help when curating ‘genuine’ independent advice to clients?

 

Panel Four
Curating winning client portfolios following a challenging year

  • What are the opportunities and challenges for the year ahead?
  • How are you managing risk in 2023? Is it time to take on more risk?
  • What's your favourite asset class now?
  • Where will inflation be at the end of the year?
  • How are you generating income for clients?
  • What's your view on alternative investments? Digital assets? Private Markets?
  • How do you choose the right investment partners?
  • How can you consistently deliver performance and differentiate your offering?
  • How do you translate your view into actionable outcomes for each client based on their needs?

 

Join us on March 15 for what will be an insightful, informative, and thought-provoking event.

Mar 15

INDEPENDENT WEALTH MANAGEMENT FORUM - Dubai 2023

Millennium Plaza Downtown Hotel (formerly Crowne Plaza Dubai),United Arab Emirates