Jeroen Simons
SALES DIRECTOR
Educational background:
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. B.A. Economics & Social Studies
Professional stations:
American Express Bank – Senior Director
ABN AMRO – Senior Vice President
Important values:
A responsible global citizen. A trusted business partner who believes that collaboration and the ability to quickly adapt are the keys to achieving our common goals.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far go together” - African Proverb
Yannick Häni
MANAGING PARTNER |
MEMBER 1291 GROUP
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Educational background:
Master of Law in international taxation (LL.M.) and Bachelor of Business Law (B.LAW)
Professional stations:
CEO of 1291Group Asia since 2016, Sales Partner of various 1291Group entities since 2014, Sales Manager for Northern Europe for Valorlife Life Insurance Company from 2012 to 2014
Important values:
You have to learn the rule of the game. And then you have to play better than anyone else. - Albert Einstein
Frances Boon
PARTNER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Social Science (Hons., Statistics) and Bachelor of Arts (Economic & Statictics) from National University of Singapore.
Professional stations:
Prior to joining 1291 in June 2019, I was pioneer member of a leading PPLI carrier’s Singapore operation. I have over 25 years of experience building relationships with and addressing the needs of Asian high net worth clients. This includes working in the private banking and corporate banking divisions of major banks.
Important values:
There is no perfect product, but I seek the most suitable solution for the client.
Toshikazu Saito
PARTNER
Educational background:
Keio University, Bachelor of Art in Economics: National Futures Association Series #3
(National Commodity Futures Registered Representative-1997) / National Association of Security Dealers Series #7 (General Securities Registered Representative-1994)
Professional stations:
40years of experience in financial services and International estate planning
Important values:
Provide value added advice and guidance by analyzing client needs and resolving issues. Provide the broadest range and highest quality of products and services, which are easy for clients to understand and use. Develop and maintain long-term relationships by actively listening to client feedback in order to build trust and loyalty.
Paco Zayco
PARTNER
Educational background:
Professional Financial Certificates from the New York Institute of Finance and the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania and an Entrepreneurial Management degree from the University of St. La Salle, Chartered Trust and Estate Planner
Professional stations:
Head of Singapore for a Hong Kong based Asset Manager, Vice President at BB Securities Asia (Banco do Brasil Group) and Relationship Managements Roles in global leading financial institutions including EFG and HSBC.
Important values:
Integrity is key to successful and lasting client relationships. My family and client satisfaction are what drive me to be the best at what I do.
Silky Leung
SALES & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) at the Macquarie University, Australia
Professional stations:
Worked in Sales & Marketing field for 5 years. With HR & Administrative experience in Hong Kong listed company. With the 1291 Group since 2017.
Important values:
Love the life you live and you will live a life of love.
Chloe Lo
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Educational background:
BA University of Toronto
Hong Kong Institute Of Human Resource Management Certificate
Professional stations:
With over 15 years of expertise in the insurance sector, Chloe specializes in Mortgage Insurance. She has served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO of AIG UG and worked as a Business Development Specialist, showcasing a wealth of experience in her field.
Important values:
'Joy and sorrow are facets of fate. With faith and hope, darkness yields. The cycle of karma prevails; sow good, and goodness will find you.'
Hiroko Suzuki
PARTNER
Professional stations:
10+ years in sales, management and operations in insurance industry including life insurance, insurance saving plans, and investment linked insurance etc.
I have managed customer relationship team to develop financial performance and skills, and supported to ensure their long-term success.
I build and maintain long term relationships with clients based on mutual trust.
Important values:
It’s a valuable experience to learn about different cultures. I would like to use of this experience in my actual job and work with ambition.
Charné van Biljon
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Educational background: Bachelor of Law (LLB), University of Pretoria
Professional stations:
Charné is a South African qualified lawyer who started her career as an insolvency and restructuring lawyer at Africa's largest law firm, ENSafrica. She moved to Hong Kong in 2015 and transitioned to working in the trust industry for a leading trust and corporate services provider. Charné's experience encompasses creating tailored solutions that meet the diverse needs of clients, as well as spearheading business development initiatives across APAC, Middle East and South Africa.
Important values:
Vision, integrity, courage, the power of articulation and profundity of character
"Success is not the key to happiness. Happiness is the key to success. If you love what you are doing, you will be successful" – Albert Shweitzer
Margaret Leung
CASE MANAGER
Educational background:
Professional Certificate in Conference & Event Management, HKBU-SCE
Work experience:
Over 15 years' experience in customer service, including roles at both government departments and insurance carriers. Immediately prior to joining 1291 Group, Margaret worked as a HNW Case Manager at a HK insurance broker and carrier for 7 years.
Important values:
"Make failure your teacher, not your undertaker." — Zig Ziglar
Embracing failures helps us grow, become stronger, and keeps us moving forward in life.
Anne Lueth
HEAD OF OPERATIONS - ASIA
Educational background:
Qualified Paralegal (Germany), Diploma in International Trust Manager (STEP) = Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP)
Professional stations:
Over 15 years of industry experience working with high net worth individuals and renowned families specializing in cross-border issues and asset protection needs with a focus on multi-generation succession planning as well as the management of complex trust and corporate structures. Anne worked for global financial institutions including HSBC and international trust and corporate services providers in Switzerland, Singapore and Hong Kong.
Important values:
Integrity is the seed for achievement. It is the principle that never fails.
Heinrich Grabner
MANAGING PARTNER
Educational background:
B.A., University of Michigan, Ann Arbor
Professional stations:
Deputy Chairman of PT International Development Corp (0372.HK)
CEO of Muhabura Capital Limited, CEO of Helios Asset Management
CEO of China Silver Financial Group
Important values:
Honesty, Integrity, Perseverance and Transparency
Freda Liu
PARTNER
Educational background:
Master of Arts in Economics, New York University; Bachelor of Economics & Finance, University of Hong Kong.
Professional stations:
I have 10 years Private Banking and High Net Worth Insurance industry experience in Asia. Prior joining 1291 Group, I was Regional Marketing Director at a leading PPLI carrier’s Asia operation. Before that, I was Senior Manager at a leading international HNW insurance brokerage firm. I started my career as a private banker at Morgan Stanley Asia Private Wealth Management Division.
Important values:
Born and growing up in mainland China, I am strongly influenced and firmly believe in some key Confucianism rules, such as:
“Never judge a book by its cover.”
“Those who plan for the distant future, worry little now. — Confucius”.
“Filial piety comes first before all virtues. — Ancient Chinese Quote”
Serge Hediger
MEMBER 1291 GROUP
EXECUTIVE MANAGEMENT
Educational background:
Master of Laws (LL.M.) & Master of Business Administration (MBA)
Professional stations:
Co-Founder and Managing Partner of various 1291 Group entities since 2014. From 2007 - 2014 CEO and Board Member of an Irish and Liechtenstein based international Life Insurance company with more than EUR 5 billion AuM. Various management positions with a listed Swiss Insurance Group from 1996 - 2007. Board member of the Liechtenstein Insurance Association from 2008 - 2015.
Important values:
Cooperation. Even the most complex tasks can be made simpler when we focus on the solutions - together.
William Lin
PARTNER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Science from USC Marshall School of Business.
Professional stations:
Joined 1291 Group in 2020 and has previously worked for different financial institutions in Asia including PingAn Group and Lombard International. Will comes from a family background in the trust business, which has enabled him to understand the importance of trust and insurance in wealth planning. With his extensive knowledge of insurance and trust, he has been serving the Greater China market since 2018.
Important values:
Your attitude determines everything that you do.
Benjamin Chia
ASSOCIATE PARTNER
Educational background:
University of Hong Kong (PCLL)
Georgetown University Law Center (LLM – Securities and Financial Regulation)
University of Kent (LLB)
Chinese International School (IB)
Professional stations:
Benjamin is a licensed New York attorney and Hong Kong solicitor. He brings several years of corporate legal expertise to 1291 Group. Previously, he worked in the Hong Kong offices of an American multinational law firm and a boutique M&A law firm, advising on cross-border M&A, private equity, venture funds, capital markets, and restructuring transactions.
Important values:
'Recall the source of the water while taking a drink.'
Marvin Kan
BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT MANAGER (GREATER BAY AREA)
Educational background:
Bachelor of Science in Economics and Management Information System from Babson College (Wellesley, Massachusetts)
Professional stations:
Over 25 years of operating businesses in Hong Kong with a focus on sales in China and developing sales networks.
Important values:
Never give in. Perseverance is the key to success.
Ali Hares
CASE MANAGER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in Accounting and Banking
Professional experience:
Experience in the banking & wealth management industries, with a particular focus on relationship management, client servicing, operational controls, best industry practices and regulatory requirements.
Important values:
Treat Others How You Want to Be Treated. "Risk comes from not knowing what you're doing." - Warren Buffett
Jeroen Simons
SALES DIRECTOR
Educational background:
Trinity College Dublin, Ireland. B.A. Economics & Social Studies
Professional stations:
American Express Bank – Senior Director
ABN AMRO – Senior Vice President
Important values:
A responsible global citizen. A trusted business partner who believes that collaboration and the ability to quickly adapt are the keys to achieving our common goals.
“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far go together” - African Proverb
Michelle Sng
PARTNER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Law (LLB), Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com), Member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (TEP)
Professional stations:
Qualified Australian lawyer serving handful of SEA families in private practice, Wealth and Estate Planning Manager in international trust companies
Important values:
When given the choice being right or being kind, choose kind.
Kshitij Kulkarni
PARTNER
Educational background:
Master’s in Business Administration with specialization in Marketing and Operations, Bachelor's Degree in Chemical Engineering
Professional stations:
Over 15 years of experience in High Net Worth banking and Insurance in HSBC, Citibank and a boutique Life insurance brokerage in Hong Kong and India.
Important values:
Passion, Drive and a Positive Mindset. I am here to find solutions for you and your clients.
Mona Manglani
SENIOR ACCOUNTANT
Educational background:
Bachelor of Commerce majoring in Financial Accounting and Auditing
Professional stations:
Over 22 years of Accounting and Finance work experience in medical Industry. Assisting in implementation of ERP accounting systems, process improvements, handling of HR-Payroll, MPF, Tax matters of staff, providing assistance to General Manger for business development. Working as a coordinator of Export in a Trading industry.
Important values:
For me perseverance and resilience are the values that I believe help to navigate the uncertainties in present day. In parallel emotional intelligence is equally important for connecting with the people around you.
Mornie Tsang
SALES & OPERATIONS MANAGER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Arts at Middlesex University London
Professional stations:
Worked as a personal assistant to CEO for 3 years. With Accounting and Administrative experience in a HK insurance broker for 5 years before joining 1291.
Important values:
Be the change you wish to see in the world.
Zoie Au
CASE MANAGER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Business Administration in Management of Organisations from HKUST (Hong Kong University of Science and Technology)
Professional experience:
Over 25 years' experience in the life insurance industry. Familiar with a broad range of operational functions at various Hong Kong insurance carriers. Focus on HNW Case Management since 2015.
Important values:
Never say ‘Never’. You never know what's going to happen next. Just be yourself, stay positive and embrace the future with all its rich possibilities.
Sean Taro Byrne
HEAD OF JAPAN
Educational background: Rochester-Bern Executive Program: Masters in Advanced Finance and Wealth Management
Professional experience: Sean was formerly at Credit Suisse, where he was a Managing Director and Country Head for Japan International and Korea Onshore, and at UBS, where he was Executive Director and Team Head for Japan and Korea International.
Important values: Always put clients needs at the centre of what you do; operate with integrity, honesty and care and success will follow.
Tatsuya Ogawa
PARTNER
Educational background:
Master of Public Policy (University of Tokyo), Master of International Law (Peking University), Bachelor of Law (Keio University)
Work experience:
Ogawa-san has held a number of sales and advisory roles across the financial services sector. These include Institutional Fund Sales at First Sentier Investors, Relationship Manager (Japan Market) at Credit Suisse, and Real Estate Coverage Group at Morgan Stanley.
Important values:
Do the right thing. Create something meaningful to the world. Enjoy every moment of life.