Chief Executive Officer of the Business Class Group, Mark started his career in Financial Services in the UK in 1990. Originally working as a tied agent for a large insurance company he moved into sales management in 1992. He had a successful sales career and was promoted to Regional Development Manager in 1994 where he worked with the top producers in the company. In 1995 the organisation was taken over and Mark was re-appointed as Branch Manager where he guided his branch to a top three position in the following three years out of one hundred locations.
Choosing to leave the UK in 1998 to look for his next challenge, Mark joined a large Independent Financial Adviser in Europe, starting his offshore career in Germany and Belgium, until his move to the Far East in 2003.
Mark is registered with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority as CEO of Platinum Financial Services Hong Kong, one of the most widely respected Independent Financial Advisory companies in the territory, and is at the forefront of bringing international IFA standards and best practices to the region.
Mark is a former member of the General Committee of CIB elected for his ILAS knowledge and experience. He is also a former Councilor and Vice Chairman of the Independent Financial Advisers Association of Hong Kong www.ifaa.com.hk as well as being qualified for membership of the Chartered Insurance Institute www.cii.co.uk.
Stephan graduated from the Ludwig Maximilians University of Munich with a master’s degree in economics. Following graduation, Stephan moved to New York where he began his banking career at Deutsche Bank as a credit analyst focusing on the lending risks to German ‘Mittelstand’ (SMEs) and US Fortune 500 companies. Stints at Deutsche Bank’s headquarters in Frankfurt and regional branches in Germany followed. In 1999, Stephan moved to London where he joined UBS’s credit control team as a senior analyst, focusing on the underwriting and financing risks arising from the bank’s exposures to leveraged buyouts.
In 2011, Stephan joined Business Class Group’s regional office in Bangkok as a consultant, with particular emphasis on insurance solutions for expats, international schools and businesses. In 2016, Stephan began to take on additional responsibilities in support of the Group’s financial management. Stephan is now the Group Finance Manager and manages the Group’s day-to-day financial affairs, supporting senior management and the board in their strategic decision-making.
Lee is a graduate of the Imperial College London and has over 35 years combined experience in Corporate Marketing, Property Management and Financial Services. He joined the Business Class Group in 2007 and as a Regional Director was instrumental in setting up Business Class Thailand, Business Class Asia and introducing Lifestyle Property to Thailand. Now as the Group Development Director he is responsible for all recruitment, training, development and expansion of the associated companies within the Business Class Group.
Lee's business philosophy is simple. Total commitment, hard work and attention to detail are the keys. Success is measured by innovation and client satisfaction.
Andrew has been a career expatriate for over 38 years, the majority of that time being spent managing businesses operating on the Australasian and South East Asian continents. His diverse management experiences have seen him responsible for overseeing the commercial operations of a number of international businesses.
After 20 years in senior management positions Andrew moved to the Financial Services industry in 2004 where he was able to draw upon his many experiences and transfer a great deal of his corporate knowledge and his deeply embedded and disciplined work ethic to his new role.
His high level of technical knowledge, along with his awareness and understanding of client’s needs, make him stand out from the crowd and be recognized as a leading authority on all the topics he advises on. He is widely respected by his colleagues, clients and industry peers and his key expertise has been helping individuals plan their retirement strategies; establish personal and family Trusts; make appropriate succession plans; advise on property acquisitions and management as well as a range of other personal expatriate matters.
Andrew is a shareholder at Group level and regularly offers insight and advice to the board of directors based on his experience from time spent in the corporate world. Andrew is relocating from our Thailand office to undertake further work with the group in Europe. He will be based in the United Kingdom where we can continue to draw on his experience and enjoy his meaningful contribution to the business.
Gordon Franks is the Managing Partner for Platinum Financial Services and Lifestyle Brokers in Hong Kong overseeing one of the region’s largest and most sophisticated financial and property sectors; focusing on providing quality advice to high net worth individuals within the region. For nearly 15 years Gordon has been helping individuals and their families maximize their personal and financial wealth, achieving peace of mind, comfort and reliable financial solutions utilizing a combination of traditional investments and property.
Gordon believes that it is important to align your financial decisions with what is important in your life. By engaging meaningful conversations with clients he is able to gain a better understanding of what is important to them, their goals and values. By gaining a complete understanding of client’s needs he ensures that sound financial decisions can be in place for their future goals.
Prior to moving to Asia, Gordon was educated at Liverpool University in the UK where he studied Financial Economics before being selected for the Offshore Financial Training Association training course and being fast-tracked to employment in Hong Kong. He is fully qualified in Hong Kong and registered with the Hong Kong Insurance Authority.
Kevin Hennessy studied at Bournemouth University and obtained his degree in Business Management. He then worked for the UK government within the Inland Revenue and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office. After a stint at the British Embassy in Iran and the UK he entered the wealth management business, advising clients on mortgages, life insurance, retirement planning and portfolio management. Kevin has been a consultant with Platinum Financial Services for 8 years, based in Shanghai, and has given sound guidance to help hundreds of people, both expatriates and Chinese nationals, to plan financially for their future.
Paul Dickinson is an experienced wealth manager with a demonstrated history of working in the financial services industry, with over 17 years of experience in marketing & business development, Investment and relationship management. He is highly skilled in Business Planning, Asset Management, Pension Funds, Investment Strategies, and Retirement Planning. He is adept at understanding and managing client expectations and formulating bespoke strategies based on the individual client’s financial needs. He adopts where possible a win/win approach, utilizing extensive experience and knowledge in seeking solutions to business, personal and his client’s challenges.
Paul holds the Certificate in Investment Management through the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment, of which he is also a Chartered Member. Through the CISI he regularly stays up to date on changing markets, products and regulation by completing the annual CPD hours required to remain a member.
Founder and Managing Director of Liquid Branding, a leading independent branding and communications agency in Bangkok, Alex heads up the Business Class Group’s creative, communication and marketing programmes for all the member companies.
A graduate of Sheffield School of Business and Management, he gained a BA in International Business and Marketing with Honours before working in the City as an investment banker. Realising early on a thirst for more creative pursuits, Alex entered the design and marketing industry, a passion for which has seen him grow a successful business in Bangkok by providing international standard creative combined with exceptional customer service.
Alex has lived in Bangkok for 10 years and when not in the office, he can be found spending time with his young family or, when the weather permits, attempting to bowl an in-swinging yorker.
