Previously as a private banker with ABN AMRO Bank, Dr. Hon gained expertise in financial planning, lending, portfolio management, tax structuring and trust formation. The experience led him to form The Global Group, an international venture and angel investment company with offices in London, Hong Kong and mainland China. It helps fast-growing innovative businesses access the resources and capital they need to grow and implement international development plans.

Tailor-made Financial Solutions “Founded in 1997, Global Group has a strong track record of bringing investors and promising businesses together,” says Dr. Hon. “It has a family office arm that advises Asian high net worth individuals on their international business strategies, alongside other matters such as lifestyle management. Such clients have the opportunity to co-invest with Global Group on promising deals aligned with their long-term strategy and preferences.”

Family offices have become an increasingly popular service amongst first to second generation entrepreneurs in China. Global Group stands out from its competitors for its comprehensive understanding of the needs of these entrepreneurial individuals, accumulated through Dr Hon’s strong connections amongst the entrepreneur circle in China.

“In addition to this, the venture capital scene outside of Silicon Valley has become increasingly competitive. To attract high quality international investment opportunities, Global participates ctively in its investee companies, overseeing their international expansion, particularly their China expansion strategies.”

Runaway Success The investment preferences of high net worth individuals have evolved over time, many of them seeking alternative forms of investments in addition to public equities and funds, says Dr. Hon. “Clients of Global have opportunities to co-invest in deals, offering them unique opportunities to tap into the
high returns venture capital space. For example, Global clients have co-invested with the company in the much-anticipated West End production of the musical ‘42nd Street’, which is opening in March 2017 at the prestigious 2,200-seater Theatre Royal Drury Lane with a multi-million

pound production budget. The last time this show was produced in London, it ran for 6 years, and made large profits for its investors. Consequently, the show
was over-capitalised, and it was only through Global’s connections that clients were given the opportunity to invest.”

“Financial returns are not the only investment objectives of Asian investors. They are also looking to invest in areas that have lifestyle connotations, such as horse racing and the entertainment sector, especially in the theatre space.”

Strategic Advantage According to Dr. Hon, Global’s UK-based investment team is highly experienced in investing in UK and international growth companies and
is highly effective in sourcing unique opportunities.

He adds: “Global has profited by looking beyond the competitive Hong Kong market. Global Group has introduced its clients to opportunities in countries as diverse as France, Grenada, the USA and Malta – this gives the company a unique quality over and above its competitors.”

Desire to Excel “Global will continue to source and invest in quality deals for its clients, including West End theatre productions. In addition, in the future Global will also be seeking opportunities to bring Western theatre shows to China, which is proving to be a market with very high growth potential.

“We will also be expanding our offering into the horse racing investment sector as it gains more interest amongst Asian HNWIs. Global intends to set up a Horse Racing club with its business partners to assist clients in purchasing high quality thoroughbreds and accessing high quality training. Our fundamentals are –Integrity, entrepreneurship and a desire to be the best in our field.”