In Asia, Cazenove Capital would like to become the go-to house for bespoke discretionary offering in all of the markets the asset manager is serving, says Simon Lints, the new CEO in Singapore in an interview.
Mr. Lints, a lot of people are familiar with the Schroders name but may not know much about Cazenove Capital Management. How do you differentiate the Cazenove brand in a crowded wealth management market like Asia?
We are the wealth management arm of Schroders, 100 percent owned. We focus and lead with a successful discretionary offering which as the region moves into second and third generation is in increasing demand – quality longer term investment, good net returns and solid wealth protection/preservation.
Our client facing team is highly experienced in all the markets we cover and given our autonomy, decisions can be made locally quickly as we have no long bureaucratic reporting lines.
«We are already looking at various options and in early stage discussions with advisers»
Whilst not currently so well known in Asia, Cazenove has a long and prestigious heritage in Europe, especially in the U.K. In essence we are an extremely well run and effective niche operation delivering great service and results to our clients with the benefit of a large and successful parent company both in Asia and internationally.
In the U.K. recently Cazenove Capital acquired one of the oldest British banks, C. Hoare & Co., the 344-year-old London-based bank. Does Cazenove Capital have any similar ambitions in Asia?
Yes, we have the appetite and capacity to make appropriate acquisitions or joint ventures and associations. We are already looking at various options and in early stage discussions with advisers to this end in various Southeast Asian markets.
If you cannot grow by acquisition, do you have clear organic growth plans for the Singapore business?
Yes, as well as Singapore we are also looking at the markets in Southeast Asia that we cover. We will be expanding our team in Singapore and putting in place strategic alliances, joint ventures or suchlike in all of the countries we cover and have clients/prospects in.
«We know that clients value our independent approach and personal service»
Like our Hong Kong business we have exciting plans to grow organically. Our deep intermediary connections have been increasingly supportive. We know that clients value our independent approach, the strength of our resources and our personal service
Cazenove has operations in both Hong Kong and Singapore. How do you jointly leverage business with having a presence in Asia’s key wealth hubs?
We are working increasingly closely with our colleagues in Hong Kong – run by Sandy Dudgeon, a fellow Scot. We share referral networks and make joint calls offering both Singapore or Hong Kong coverage. We also work together to identify pan-Asian acquisition targets, strategic alliances etc.
You made the move from Credit Suisse a multifaceted global wealth management giant to a relatively small player. What have been the best and most challenging aspects of your move?
Best – the ability to get things done quickly, introducer agreements, on-boarding new clients, seeing immediate impact of business development work done. Challenging – I came in to lead the team with a lot of pent up energy and vision, getting time to ensure that everything is capitalised upon as soon as possible.
Also, I have been very lucky to find another Scotsman running our Hong Kong office – truly a kindred spirit
Where do you see Cazenove Capital Management in Asia in five years time?
Certainly a more known, respected and still growing business. We would like to be the go-to house for bespoke discretionary offering in all of the markets that we are serving.
Simon Lints is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cazenove Capital Management Singapore. He was headhunted into the role in June 2016. In 2008 after an international banking career that took him to London, New York and the Middle East with banks such as J.P. Morgan and UBS, Lints moved to Credit Suisse in Singapore to establish their U.K./International private banking operation.
