I am a Vancouver based Wealth Management Professional. My professional career spans almost thirty years and I have lived and worked in Canada, Asia, the United States and most recently, Bermuda. I have practiced law, worked in international trade, investment banking, and financial services. My wealth of experience and unique international perspective is invaluable to my clients.
I obtained my LL.B from the University of Alberta in 1984 and practiced law in Edmonton for five years. My first exposure to international business, and life abroad, was a three-year term as Vice President of a Canadian retailer while based in Taipei Taiwan. I moved into the financial services business in 1992 where I was managing director of an investment banking firm. I was involved in the financing and operations of several companies giving me an insight into the needs of my entrepreneurial clients.
In 1995 I joined Assante as one of its founding shareholders and moved to Bermuda to build the international platform for Assante. As Managing Director of Assante Asset Management Bermuda Limited I developed and managed Assante’s International Private Client Program. I was directly involved with many of Assante’s higher net worth clients and was brought in as the “international expert” for many clients and advisors. While in Bermuda I was founder and president of The Global Voyager Fund, Assante’s Bermuda based investment vehicle, and assisted in the development of Assante’s Private Client Program in Canada. I developed Assante’s strategic Alliance with Capital G Bank in Bermuda and returned to Canada in the summer of 2002 with my wife Penny and daughter Eden.
I have written numerous articles and have been a sought after speaker at international planning conferences including the International Association of Financial Planners conference in San Antonio, Texas, the largest conference of its kind in the world. I have also taught business law courses, and continuing legal education for the Law Society of Alberta.
I am proud of my involvement in charitable and service organizations. I have been a member of the board of directors of the Hong Kong Canada Business Association; The Canadian Society in Taipei Taiwan; The Vancouver Talmud Torah Society; and the Richmond Country Club. I take great pride in contributing to my community.
My Wealth Management practice focuses on the needs of high net worth families, both in Canada and internationally. The solution my Canadian clients enjoy is the United Financial Private Client program. It allows me to assist clients with all facets of their Wealth Management plan. First and foremost my goal is wealth preservation. From this platform I then help clients build wealth, plan for retirement, manage risk, optimize their tax strategies, and plan for succession.
My international clients enjoy the international solutions offered by Capital G investments in Bermuda.
My Wealth Management process is very disciplined and very much a team approach. My clients enjoy access to all of my team including a dedicated private client manager, tax and estate lawyers, accountants and CFA’s. I become the quarterback for all components of my client’s wealth plan and work closely with the client’s professional advisors to ensure that the plan is successfully implemented. The end result is a coordinated wealth plan that meets all of the client's needs now, and in the future.
