KEY PERSONNEL

• Mark Kirkham
  Chief Executive Officer
  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 to Branch Manager where he guided his branch to a top three position 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 Confederation of Insurance Brokers www.hkcib.org 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. In addition he is Vice Chairman of the Independent Financial Advisers Association of Hong Kong www.ifaa.com.hk, a qualified member of the Chartered Insurance Institute www.cii.co.uk and the Personal Finance Society www.thepfs.org  in the UK.

• Neil Smith
  Chief Financial Officer

  Neil trained as a UK Chartered Accountant and joined KPMG in their Hong Kong office in 1970. Since then he has held senior financial positions with professional firms and companies in the UK, Continental Europe, Asia and the US. In the 80s and 90s he moved into international operations with Knogo Corporation of New York, whose operations are now part of Tyco, and Esselte Meto International, part of the Esselte Group of Sweden, both technology companies operating worldwide. Neil joined the Business Class Group as Chief Financial Officer over five years ago and is based in the Bangkok office.

• Harpreet Sajjan
  Head of Portfolio Management

  Harpreet joined Platinum Financial Services in 2009 and heads up the Portfolio Management department. Prime activities for his team involve analyzing global market trends and selecting securities within those regions expected to out-perform. A full range of investment products are researched and analyzed before being added to three Model Portfolios – Cautious, Balanced and Adventurous – which are actively managed and monitored on an ongoing basis.

  Harpreet graduated a BSc (Hons) Banking and International Finance degree at Sir John Cass Business School, of which he spent an edifying year at Goizueta Business School, part of Emory University, based in Atlanta, USA. He subsequently went on to complete an MSc in Finance at Cass Business School, in which he graduated with distinction, and is currently enrolled in the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) programme.

  Prior industry names having worked at include Financial Express, Killik & Co and Lloyds TSB; where Harpreet gained invaluable experience in Investment Management.

• Nigel Brooker
  Compliance Manager

  Nigel is a science graduate of Manchester University and has 30 years diverse experience in Sales, Marketing & General Management positions with international companies operating throughout Europe, Scandinavia, USA and Southern Africa. Prior to his arrival in Hong Kong he was European Sales Manager for a multinational company, based in Strasbourg, France

  Arriving in Hong Kong in 2005 as a consultant specialising in international currency mortgages, Nigel joined Platinum in 2007 as Customer Services Manager. He is fully qualified and registered with Hong Kong Confederation of Insurance Brokers and has also completed training courses with several major mortgage lenders.

  Nigel is now tasked with coordinating the Customer Service and Compliance functions within the Business Class Group to ensure the same high uniform standards across all the operations.

• Gordon Franks
  Managing Director, Hong Kong

  Gordon Franks is the Managing Director of Platinum Financial Services in Hong Kong overseeing one of the region’s largest and most sophisticated financial sectors; focusing on providing quality advice to high net worth individuals around the region. For close to ten years Gordon has been helping individuals and their families maximize their personal and financial wealth, achieving peace of mind, comfort and reliable financial solutions.

  Gordon believes that it is important to align his clients’ financial decisions with what is important in their lives. 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 his clients it ensures that sound financial decisions can be in place for their future goals.

  Prior to moving to Asia, Gordon studied Financial Economics at Liverpool University. After graduating, he was selected for the Offshore Financial Trading Association training course where he was fast-tracked to employment in Hong Kong. He is fully qualified with the Hong Kong Confederation of Insurers.

  Gordon lives in Discovery Bay with his wife, Laura, and his two daughters Isabelle and Sophie.

• Andrew Wood
  Executive Director, Bangkok

  Andrew has been an expatriate for 34 years, based mainly in Asia. His diverse business operations experience in commercial and senior management is invaluable when advising individuals on investment structures; pension planning; succession planning and a range of other expatriate matters is matched by few other financial advisers.

  Andrew is street wise and innovative but conservative where appropriate. His superb interpersonal skills make him totally at home with any level of client he is consulting. Andrew’s age advantage gives clients a feeling of security. He is also creative and demonstrates highly innovative solutions for each individual client.

  From extensive experience in the corporate world Andrew found his new vocation some eight years ago and thoroughly enjoys all his activities with the group. He says, ‘Helping people with "the business of living life" to achieve the best results is like a breath of fresh air to me. It has given me a new lease of life’.

  Andrew is a core shareholder and his input on corporate matters is invaluable to the board of directors. His aggressive loyalty means that our Bangkok office has a superb anchor-man overseeing the business.

• Brian Johnson
  Managing Director of PFS Russia

  Brian Johnson Managing Director of PFS Russia is a professional financial advisor who has always captured the human side of financial planning and with over 25 years experience he has spent most of his working life assisting individuals and corporations in all aspects of their finances.

  Brian maintains a conviction and company philosophy of "striving to be the best to make you better". He continues to believe in the principles of hard work, honesty, loyalty, and dedication. He understands that while his clients know how to earn money his responsibility is to help them make their money work. His passion, enthusiasm, humour and knowledge place him in high demand as a consultant to individuals, families, corporations, and, as a speaker and trainer.

  Brian’s career path over the last 25 years includes establishing several companies including a Real Estate and Mortgage Brokers in the United Kingdom, a Property Investment and Development Company in Cyprus together with several management positions for an international offshore financial consultancy group. He holds an Msc in Economics and Finance from Durham University.

  He arrived in Russia over 4 years ago and has quickly established himself as one of the senior financial consultants in Moscow. Establishing the new Russian/Eastern Europe division for Business Class group of companies and PFS International this year has in Brian’s own words ‘given me a new lease of life and makes me feel 10 years younger’ which is a good job given that his wife and 4 daughters are living between the UK and Moscow which means he does spend many weekends each year flying backwards and forwards to the UK

• Lee Frost
  Regional Director of Business Class Asia

  Lee Frost is an expert in the Property and Marketing industries with a focus in Asia and Europe. After 25 years of successful work in Corporate Marketing, Financial Services and Property Management in Europe, Lee decided to relocate in Asia with the idea of utilising his expertise to direct his skills towards delivering a wide range of essential and highly desired services to the expatriate community in the amazing and beautiful country of Thailand.

  Lee’s philosophy is simple: "Success depends on client satisfaction". The key to achieving this rests with the ability to offer tailor made solutions and expert advice on critical matters relating to business administration, marketing, financial services and legal affairs with effective communication and dedication.

  Lee was a full playing member of Saracens Rugby Football Club in the UK for 17 years. Since retiring from the game he loved so much, he now enjoys playing golf in his spare time to an acceptable mid handicap level.

• Alex Bowden
  Head of Marketing Communications

  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.

• Andrea Lok
  Customer Services Executive

  Andrea is a BA Honours Business Management graduate from Leeds Metropolitan University, UK. Originally from County Durham in the UK, she has many years of customer services experience having entered her family owned business involving retail management, whilst still continuing her studies. Ambition and motivation drove her to develop her business skills in public relations, helping to provide exceptional service to customers. With valuable experience gained in this sector, both her interest and knowledge have grown in the area of retail sales and customer satisfaction to ensure she provides excellence in the role that she fills.

  Andrea has recently moved to Hong Kong to return to her Chinese roots and provides a valuable addition to the Customer Services team within the Business Class Group as a secondary point of contact for all clients.

• Kevin Hennessy
  Acting Branch Manager Shanghai

  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.

• Timothy Lock
  Thailand Operations Manager

  Timothy is a knowledgeable, seasoned professional with over 30 years’ experience in the global financial services sector, who has lived, worked and travelled extensively worldwide. Timothy has a complete international outlook to business and his maturity and experience enables him to see client situations through to a beneficial conclusion. He prides himself that the quality of his work and advice remains constant and effective despite pressure or demand. Timothy is a full Member of the UK Chartered Investment and Securities Institute in the United Kingdom and is currently working towards his Chartered status.

  Timothy joined PFS international in January 2012 as manager of our Thailand operations in Bangkok.