Serge Hediger
CHAIRMAN
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.
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.
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.
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.
Anne Lueth
HEAD ADMINISTRATION 1291 GROUP 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.
Yannick Häni
CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER
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
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.
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”
Winnie Mok
PARTNER
Educational background:
BSc. Hons. in Computer Science & Management Science, The University of Edinburgh
Professional stations:
30 years’ experience in the insurance and financial services industries, growing and developing high profile international operations. Work closely with private banks and corporate service providers in overseas jurisdictions to deliver wealth structuring solutions to Affluent and HNW clients using life insurance as a tool.
Important values:
To serve and deliver with professionalism, integrity and respect - the secrets to building long lasting business relationships.
Anna Zannelli
HEAD ADMINISTRATION 1291 GROUP SWITZERLAND | PERSONAL ASSISTANT TO EXECUTIVE BOARD
Educational background:
Commercial apprenticeship EFZ
Professional stations:
4 years of hotel business experience in 4* and 5* hotels. With the 1291 Group since 2016.
Important values:
The only way to do great work is to love what you do.
Christopher Albrecht
PARTNER
Educational background:
Bachelor of Engineering, electronic and electrical engineering / 20 years Banking and Insurance industry experience, with 13 years in Asia
Professional stations:
HSBC Insurance (Singapore) - Head of High Net Worth Distribution S.E.A. / Old Mutual (Singapore) - Head of High Net Worth Distribution S.E.A. and M.E. / Swiss Life (Singapore) - Head of Rep office Hong Kong
Important values:
Always ask questions and never assume the answers. The better you know something, the more simply you can explain it. Never be afraid to challenge the status quo.
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:
Often how we make another person feel is just as important as what we have done for the other person.
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.
Justin Man
PARTNER
Educational background:
Masters of Business Administration (MBA) - Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University & Peking University; Bachelors of Science – Babson College in Finance and Entrepreneurship
Professional stations:
Over 15 Years of experience in advising HNW individuals in North America and Asia, and 10 years in the International Offshore Life Insurance Sector
Important values:
“Goodness without knowledge... is weak and feeble, yet knowledge without goodness is dangerous.... Both united form the noblest character and lay the surest foundation of usefulness…” John Phillips, Deed of Gift, Phillips Exeter Academy
Silky Leung
ASSISTANT SALES & ADMIN
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.