Hello
My name is Oliver Kuan. I am a partner and co-managing director of FinGuide. You can find out more about me on this page.
In the first section you will find a summary of the competences I have acquired to equip me to assist you, and under the title "My path to FinGuide" you will find more about my career.
Relevant Competencies
These are the most important competences I can offer to FinGuide’s clients:
- Over 30 years of international experience in the investment and finance industry: I have gained experience in investment banking, corporate banking, private banking and independent investment and financial advisory in Zurich, Hong Kong, Shanghai and London.
- More than 10 years of experience in executive and supervisory board positions in banks as well as listed manufacturing companies: in these positions I have had general responsibility for the companies and gained deep insights into the strategy and operations of the companies.
- More than 30 years of global experience as an expatriate in London, Hong Kong, Shanghai and Zurich with cross-border transaction experience between Europe, Asia and the Americas: I understand the financial needs of global citizens and fully appreciate global diversification considerations (both globally diversified investments and diversification in multiple jurisdictions).
- More than 15 years of experience as an entrepreneur in countries without a government social safety net has taught me the importance of both cost awareness and prudent wealth management.
- More than 6 years of experience in private banks as Chief Financial Officer and as Head of Corporate Development and Strategy: during these years I have gained insights into the wealth management industry and its best practices as well as practices that investors should pay particular attention to.
It gives me satisfaction to be able to share my experience and insights when choosing the best wealth manager for you.
MY PATH TO FINGUIDE
I was born in Germany and completed my High School there. I then went to London to study economics, where I completed my Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Economics at the London School of Economics. After working for a short period in the strategic planning department at the global headquarters of Royal Dutch/Shell, I started in investment banking at a British merchant bank. Initially I worked in project finance, which involved advising on the financing of large infrastructure projects (power plants, refineries, airports, motorways, etc.). Here I learned financial modeling of complex projects with multiple counterparties, contract analysis, risk mitigation and structuring of financing from various international sponsors and lenders. Deutsche Bank then transferred me to Hong Kong to work on infrastructure transactions across Asia. In addition to project finance, I gained extensive experience in M&A (mergers and acquisitions) and capital markets (e.g. advising on IPOs).
After 8 years in investment banking, I decided to venture into entrepreneurship and moved to Shanghai, where I co-founded an M&A/corporate finance firm with European-based partners and set-up the Shanghai office. The focus of our firm was on cross-border transactions between Asia and Europe with an initial focus on renewable energy. As an entrepreneur in a very dynamic environment, my commercial instinct and awareness of cost-conscious business matured. With my firm, I also advised Asian companies on international IPOs and was asked by various listed companies to take on positions as Chief Financial Officer or on the Board of Directors.
When our twin sons were born, we decided to move back to Hong Kong, where I returned to banking as CFO for Greater China at ABN AMRO. Here I was part of the management team responsible for the Asian business and gained further insight into both private banking and corporate banking. After selling the Asian private banking business to Liechtenstein’s LGT, I worked for IBM for a short time, where I supported the digital transformation of banks. When I was given the opportunity to take on the position as Head of Corporate Development and Strategy at the Julius Baer Group in Zurich, we decided to move to Switzerland. During my time at Julius Baer, I expanded my knowledge and insight into many private banks that we analyzed in detail as takeover candidates around the world.
I was drawn to Finguide because I was often asked by friends and acquaintances for my advice on the best wealth managers and I realized how difficult it is for “non-insiders” to make an informed decision given the prevailing lack of transparency. In addition, I have been involved in my own wealth management for several decades and am happy to pass on my insights and experience.
Last but not least, Matthias Hunn and I complement each other very well professionally thanks to our different experiences and expertise. But we also share many common values and goals, such as helping to make the wealth management industry more transparent in terms of performance, costs and any conflicts of interest. Like Matthias, I am also very close to nature and enjoy trail running and skiing in the Swiss mountains.