Alpadis Group’s new Singapore head discusses his plans for the future, the key to growth and the importance of meditation
In this comprehensive interview, the newly-appointed Managing Director for Alpadis Group Singapore, John Tan, delves into his motivation for joining Alpadis Group, the unique insights he bring from his extensive experience in trust and fiduciary planning, and his strategy to enhance service delivery, drive expansion, and promote client retention. He also touches upon the value of my personal hobbies, including meditation and how they contribute to his approach to leadership and client service.
- Could you share with us what drew you to Alpadis Group and what about this opportunity excites you the most?
I have a lot of appreciation for the company’s mid-size, independently owned structure which greatly simplifies and accelerates decision-making processes. This structure not only allows for enhanced efficiency but also affords me the opportunity to spend more time with our clients to foster stronger relationships. Larger institutions often grapple with multiple stakeholders’ interests, sometimes leading to a state of “analysis paralysis”. I, on the other hand, have always preferred simplicity.
The competitive and increasingly regulated nature of our industry, both onshore and offshore, calls for an agile response to changes in the market. I believe our compact size gives us the advantage of quickly adjusting to changes for the benefit of our clients. Moreover, the brand’s Swiss heritage, synonymous with quality and efficiency, is another appealing aspect of Alpadis Group.
- Given your extensive experience in trust and fiduciary planning, what unique insights do you believe you can bring to your role as the Managing Director of Alpadis Group’s Singapore office?
Given my extensive experience in trust and fiduciary planning, I believe I bring a unique cultural perspective and keen awareness of global affairs to my role as the Managing Director of Alpadis Group’s Singapore office. I understand the values of Asian families, including traditional values such as filial piety, family harmony, and hard work, among others.
This understanding allows me to assist Asian families in incorporating these values into their Trust plans. Additionally, in an industry where we often need to swiftly react to geopolitical or regulatory changes that impact our clients’ business or personal wealth, staying abreast of global geopolitical changes and regulatory patterns is paramount. I have learned that it’s important to be proactive in preparing our clients for any potential effects these changes might have.
- You’ve worked with both corporate and high-net-worth private clients across multiple jurisdictions. How does this experience position you to drive expansion and ensure high levels of client service at Alpadis Group?
Having worked with both corporate and high-net-worth private clients across multiple jurisdictions, my experience has positioned me well to drive expansion and ensure high levels of client service at Alpadis Group. In the service business, people are paramount. I prioritize swift responses to clients and expect the same from my team. Our competitiveness hinges on our closeness to our clients and our quality of service delivery. This involves quick reaction times, provision of quality services, and regularly reaching out to our clients for feedback and potential business opportunities. I believe that with the right training and a can-do attitude, we can easily elevate our service quality.
Regarding expansion, I see the private trust business as an extension of the current corporate secretarial and accounting/tax business. As companies are used as holding vehicles in Trust structuring, our corporate and accounting/tax work is inevitably involved. Thus, growing our Trust business should inherently lead to growth in our corporate and accounting sectors.
- As the new Managing Director, what is your strategic vision for the growth and expansion of Alpadis Group in Singapore?
As the new Managing Director, I see immense opportunities for Alpadis Group Singapore as a bespoke fiduciary service provider. Due to geopolitical shifts worldwide, corporations and High Net Worth Individuals are turning to Singapore for sustainable business and wealth preservation solutions. Our tailored approach to structuring sets us apart from the competition, who often offer “cookie-cutter” solutions.
Externally, I plan to promote our services more extensively in Singapore, especially to potential clients who would benefit from local tax incentive schemes such as the MAS 13U or 13O. Similarly, for global investors, the Variable Capital Company (VCC) is fast becoming a popular choice for asset managers in Singapore and the region. Internally, client retention is crucial for our growth. Although we have no control over clients exiting due to business failure, we do have control over our service delivery, which I believe is key to client retention.
- Finally, outside of work, you enjoy leisure cycling, watching soccer games, movies, and practicing meditation. How do these hobbies contribute to your approach to leadership and client service?
Outside of work, I enjoy leisure cycling, watching soccer games, movies, and practicing meditation. These hobbies contribute to my approach to leadership and client service. Meditation, in particular, helps me stay aware of my own consciousness and thoughts, enabling me to avoid distractions and doubts and achieve a clarity.