The Growing Appeal of Private Placement Life Insurance (PPLI) for Wealthy Private Clients in Asia

Marc-André Sola is a serial entrepreneur. He started his first company at the age of 20 and has since founded, or co-founded, a number of businesses in different fields and in multiple countries. Mr. Sola holds a Masters of Law degree from the University of Zurich and serves on the board of various companies. He specializes in insurance and retirement planning, as well as tailored asset protection and estate Tax planning solutions. For over 20 years, he has been advising clients from all over Europe, North & South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Mr. Sola is a sought after speaker at international investment, asset protection and estate planning conferences worldwide. Furthermore, he has published a variety of professional articles and co-authored the book, The Insured Portfolio, published by John Wiley & Sons (2010). He is a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization), Zurich Chapter.

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.

Anthony is Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital Group. Anthony has extensive experience in asset management, including private equity and venture capital. Anthony enjoyed a career in investment banking with Credit Suisse, Citigroup and Lehman Brothers Asia before transitioning to private investments. He has broad investment expertise across consumer, education, food safety, industrial, and technology sectors. Anthony attained a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Economics) from The University of Sydney and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from The University of Sydney Law School. He is also a graduate of The College of Law (Sydney) and was admitted to the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of NSW. Anthony completed the Financial Engineering Program of Stanford University and attended the Stanford Executive Institute. He is a Responsible Officer for Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) activities licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Anthony is Co-Chair of Cyberport Investors Network Growth Portfolio Sub-Committee, a member of the Limited Partners Committee, Family Office Committee and Wine Committee of HKVCA, a member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee and YEC Executive Committee. He is a member of the Hong Kong Securities and Investments Institute. Anthony is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. He is a keen tennis player, golfer, wine enthusiast and Formula One fan.

Lee Sleight is Head of Business Development, Asia, and is responsible for designing tailored private wealth and succession planning solutions, working closely with Asia-focussed distribution partners, for UHNW clients and their families that protect, preserve and pass on their legacy to future generations. Lee has over 20 years’ experience in the wealth assurance industry across Europe, Asia and Latin America. Joining Lombard International Group in 2004, Lee successfully led the European Complex Case Structuring Team, where he built a unique track record, working in partnership with advisers to global UHNW families to offer Private Placement Life Insurance based solutions catering for their increasingly complex wealth and succession planning needs. Lee is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. Born in the UK, Lee has lived in Germany since 2005 and worked in Luxembourg since 2001. A father of 3, Lee is also an avid trail runner and triathlete.

Marc-André Sola is a serial entrepreneur. He started his first company at the age of 20 and has since founded, or co-founded, a number of businesses in different fields and in multiple countries. Mr. Sola holds a Masters of Law degree from the University of Zurich and serves on the board of various companies. He specializes in insurance and retirement planning, as well as tailored asset protection and estate Tax planning solutions. For over 20 years, he has been advising clients from all over Europe, North & South America, the Middle East, Asia, and Africa. Mr. Sola is a sought after speaker at international investment, asset protection and estate planning conferences worldwide. Furthermore, he has published a variety of professional articles and co-authored the book, The Insured Portfolio, published by John Wiley & Sons (2010). He is a member of YPO (Young Presidents Organization), Zurich Chapter.

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.

Anthony is Chief Executive Officer of Isola Capital Group. Anthony has extensive experience in asset management, including private equity and venture capital. Anthony enjoyed a career in investment banking with Credit Suisse, Citigroup and Lehman Brothers Asia before transitioning to private investments. He has broad investment expertise across consumer, education, food safety, industrial, and technology sectors. Anthony attained a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance and Economics) from The University of Sydney and Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from The University of Sydney Law School. He is also a graduate of The College of Law (Sydney) and was admitted to the High Court of Australia and Supreme Court of NSW. Anthony completed the Financial Engineering Program of Stanford University and attended the Stanford Executive Institute. He is a Responsible Officer for Type 1 (Dealing in Securities), Type 4 (Advising on Securities) and Type 9 (Asset Management) activities licensed by the Hong Kong Securities and Futures Commission. Anthony is Co-Chair of Cyberport Investors Network Growth Portfolio Sub-Committee, a member of the Limited Partners Committee, Family Office Committee and Wine Committee of HKVCA, a member of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Commerce Taxation Committee and YEC Executive Committee. He is a member of the Hong Kong Securities and Investments Institute. Anthony is fluent in English, Mandarin and Cantonese. He is a keen tennis player, golfer, wine enthusiast and Formula One fan.

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.