DID YOU KNOW…

so that both my wife and I could enjoy the same sport together. That was 20 years ago, and in that time, we’ve made a close group of friends whom we regularly play with. After our sons were born, we stopped playing for almost 15 years because we wanted to spend more time with them. Now that both of our boys have grown up, we have started to actively play golf again in the past five years.

OTHER THAN GOLF, I…

still play football regularly with a group of close friends every other week. I also run quite a lot as well. My interest in running probably developed from my refereeing days. I used to run at least one marathon every year until only a few years ago.

MY MOST MEMORABLE EXPERIENCE WAS…

going to Mission Hills Golf Club in Shenzen every year with my golf friends and spending a week there playing. That was in the early 2000s and we would play 36 holes a day, and complete all the golf courses there within five days. We called it our “Annual Golf Marathon”.

IF I WEREN’T A BANKER, I’D…

probably do something related to sports – maybe a soccer commentator or critic

WHAT GIVES ME JOY IS…

watching all the young talents do well in their sports. Last year, a total of 10 young athletes supported by us in the region competed in the Hangzhou Asia Games for Singapore and Hong Kong respectively. I feel so proud for all of them, and to watch Taichi getting a gold medal and Matthew a bronze live was just amazing! an entrepreneurial mindset within private banking. Our Client Relationship Officers (CROS) serve as true partners to our clients, prioritising their needs and interests and employing a handson, solution-oriented approach.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN WITH EFG?

I have had the privilege of being part of EFG for over two decades, having joined the bank in 2000 to establish and head up its Asia operations. My journey with EFG began after gaining valuable experience in other global banks. Over the years, my role has evolved, culminating in my appointment as CEO of EFG in Asia Pacific in 2009. Now as Executive Chairman, I am responsible for overseeing and driving the growth of our business across the region.

WHAT SPORTS DO YOU PLAY?

Sports have always been a passion of mine. I love football and I am a proud supporter of Manchester United. An interesting aspect of my sporting journey is my tenure as a Fifa-accredited soccer referee from 1990 to 2005, representing Hong Kong on the global lb stage. Through this experience, I learned valuable lessons about maintaining my composure and demonstrating leadership in challenging situations; these are skills that have been invaluable in my professional endeavours.

Of course, I also enjoy golf, and I can often be found on the golf course on a Saturday or Sunday morning. Golf is one of the unique sports that allows players of all abilities to come together to play and enjoy a sense of camaraderie. Playing golf also forces me to practice a form of mindfulness. When I am on the course, I have to block out all the things weighing on my mind and focus on playing the shot.

hlWHAT IS IT ABOUT YOUR PAST EXPERIENCE THAT HAS NURTURED THE SENSE OF GIVING BACK TO SPORTS OR THE ARTS?

I have always enjoyed doing sport. When I was young, I wanted to be a footballer. While I never had the chance to fulfil that childhood dream of going professional, I can now engage in sport from different angles, whether it is as a passionate football fan and FIFA referee or by holding leadership roles within the Hong Kong Football Association and embracing golf sponsorship roles. These different experiences have not only shaped my personal and professional growth but also instilled a deep sense of responsibility in me to support and nurture young talent in sports and also the arts. I believe that sports play a vital role in creating a positive mindset and resilience, and EFG is proud to support the next generation of talents in realising their potential and positively influencing their peers.