Tell us about yourself and your background.
I was born and raised in the Netherlands and began my career in institutional sales in Denmark after completing my Master’s degree. This helped to shape the foundation of my career, where I learnt the importance of trust, adaptability and the nuances of cross-border collaboration – principles that continue to guide me today.
Over the past two decades, I have worked across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia — supporting clients as they expand into new markets and navigate an increasingly global investment landscape. Working with a diverse mix of external asset managers, hedge funds, private banks, family offices and (U)HNWIs has deepened my appreciation for understanding client needs and building long-term, trusted partnerships.
At present, I manage the External Asset Managers and Fund Platforms clients within the Prime Brokerage business at Maybank Securities Singapore (MSSG), part of Maybank Investment Banking Group (MIBG) – the investment banking arm of Maybank Group.
As Malaysia’s largest bank by market capitalisation and by total assets, and one of Southeast Asia’s leading financial institutions, Maybank has a network spanning over 18 countries and more than 20 million customers worldwide. It is also the only ASEAN-born financial institution with a presence in all 10 ASEAN markets. The investment bank operates across nine markets including Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, the Philippines, Vietnam, Hong Kong, India, and the UK.
In my role, I focus on expanding our prime brokerage relationships across Asia-Pacific, with growing interest and exciting opportunities emerging out of the GCC region. What motivates me in my work is the human side of this business. It is the ability to understand each client’s story and ambitions, to find the right solutions, and to grow together over time.
Outside of work, I live in Singapore with my wife and two boys, aged 7 and 9. I am an avid sports enthusiast — tennis, padel, running, and swimming not only keep me grounded and energised, but often offer some of my best thinking time.
How did you get started in Prime Brokerage?
My journey into Prime Brokerage evolved from my time at Saxo Bank in Copenhagen, where I gained valuable exposure to global markets and the evolving needs of both institutional and private clients. I had the opportunity to engage closely with hedge funds, asset managers, and family offices — which sparked my interest in supporting investors across many jurisdictions.
This interest deepened further during my time at ADS Securities (ADSS) in Abu Dhabi and eventually in Singapore, where I worked with a growing pool of sophisticated investors from the GCC and Asia-Pacific. This experience inspired me to explore private banking – and I had the privilege of serving four years as Head of New Markets at Bordier & Cie, a fifth generation family-owned Swiss Private Bank, where I focused on building long-term partnerships with (U)HNWIs and other financial institutions across the same regions.
Over time, Prime Brokerage became a clear next step. Clients today are increasingly sophisticated, global, and discerning about who they work with — and Prime Brokerage sits right at the intersection of execution, financing and advisory and long-term relationship-building. It bridges investment banking and wealth management. This balance resonates with how I like to work – combining technical depth and relationship-building to deliver long-lasting client value.
What is your mission?
To bridge the financial ecosystems of Asia-Pacific and the GCC – unlocking opportunities by connecting the right people, products and platforms. This can be done through expanding into new markets, supporting infrastructure development, or introducing access to new markets and asset classes.
It is about helping clients think globally while executing locally — and doing so with a human touch.
You’ve worked across three continents. How do client expectations or business cultures differ across Europe, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific?
Cultural awareness is critical in our industry – no two regions are alike.
In Europe, there is a strong institutional culture and people often talk about transparency and consistency in how solutions can or should align with their long-term objectives. However, business norms across the continent can vary significantly. As an example, Nordic clients tend to favour efficiency and clear boundaries between work and personal time, while Southern European clients place more emphasis on relationship-building and social engagement.
The GCC shares similarities with Southern Europe in that personal rapport and trust are central. I still remember a meaningful dinner with a client’s family in Bahrain over a decade ago—an unplanned evening that turned into a long-lasting relationship. Moreover, there is a growing appetite for global products and diversification due to the rapid evolution of the GCC.
In Asia-Pacific, the pace tends to be faster, with markets like China and Vietnam driving quick decisions. There is a strong focus on global connectivity and fee competitiveness. Meanwhile, in countries such as Malaysia, Indonesia, and the Philippines, the emphasis on relationship building mirrors that of Southern Europe and the GCC.
There is no one size fits all approach. Instead, it is knowing when to bring in regional context and how to stay ahead of shifting investor priorities. These are essential to establishing long-lasting relationships in each market.
In an increasingly digital world, how do you maintain a human touch in relationship-building?
While digital tools are essential for scale and efficiency, personal interactions are irreplaceable in building and maintaining commitment. I prioritise regular in-person interactions and thoughtful, personalised communication. Understanding what drives each client — beyond just their portfolio — is key to building lasting trust.
What legacy or impact do you hope to leave at Maybank Investment Banking Group?
I would like to position Maybank as the leading bridge between Asia-Pacific and the Middle East. As Malaysia’s largest bank, Maybank offers credibility, strength, extensive regional knowledge and a comprehensive range of products and services, encompassing conventional banking, Private Wealth and Islamic banking.
I aim to cultivate enduring relationships based on trust and consideration, while positioning Maybank as an innovative, client-focused organisation that fosters cross-regional cooperation and facilitates sustainable growth.
What excites you most about the investment landscape in the Middle East today, and how do you see Singapore and the UAE working together to shape the future of finance?
The Middle East is going through an exciting phase of transformation. We are currently witnessing a fresh wave of investors and organisations that are internationally focused, have a long-term perspective and are keen to explore global opportunities. This aligns well with Singapore, which offers depth in sectors like digital infrastructure, consumer growth, sustainability and advanced manufacturing.
Singapore is a brilliant nation that has been shaped by decisive, intelligent decision making and a focus on ongoing innovation in multiple sectors that have a strong international exposure. These are all attracting more attention from investors in the Middle East. I am excited to be part of the bridge to assist GCC clients in understanding the intricacies of Asia.
On a personal note, I visited Riyadh in Saudi Arabia earlier this year and was deeply inspired by the balance between tradition and ambition. It reminded me that these shifts are not only economic — they are also deeply human. Even during a family holiday to the UAE and Oman last month, I was struck again by the diversity and warmth of the region. Having my kids with me, I could show them how history and ambition can coexist.
What sets Maybank apart as a partner for Middle Eastern clients looking to expand into Asia-Pacific?
Our longstanding presence in ASEAN allows us to offer a connected and regional platform. Maybank is the largest bank in Malaysia and is the only ASEAN home-grown financial institution group with a presence in all 10 ASEAN markets. That gives us a strong advantage in helping Middle Eastern institutions or investors from the GCC navigate regulations, access markets, and structure opportunities across Asia. Together with our strong EMEA team in London and our office in the Dubai International Financial Centre (DIFC), we have both the local presence as well as an international footprint with deep market access.
We are also a leader in Islamic banking, with deep experience in creating Shariah-compliant solutions and supporting Islamic capital markets. This is especially relevant for many clients from the Middle East, looking for a strategic, values-aligned partners. For clients wanting to tap into Asia’s growth and structure a presence, Maybank can help to bring those conversations to the table.
What is next for you?
I look forward to continuing growing our business in Asia Pacific and the GCC and forge strong, meaningful collaborations with clients and partners. Together with our colleagues in the DIFC and London, I believe we have strong foundations in place to be a reliable, long-term partner for institutions and clients in this part of the world.
Where can we find out more about you?
