Private Wealth Management, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia & UK
Tell us about Tom Henson.
I was born and raised in Surrey, England, before moving to KL in January 2009, where I proudly call Malaysia, home.
I am happily married to my Malaysian wife, Pri, and we have two children, Joey and Peyton. Golf is a huge part of my life, having played since the age of seven, I still try to play every week to maintain my handicap.
What do you do as a Private Wealth Manager?
There are so many aspects to private wealth management. This includes implementing investment strategies tailored to the client’s goals, risk tolerance, and market conditions. We also ensure a diversified portfolio creating comprehensive financial plans that cover retirement, estate planning, tax strategies, and cash flow analysis.
All these, while aligning with the client’s long-term objectives, also include estate planning and wealth succession and ensuring your assets are passed down to loved ones by the most efficient means, such as creating trusts.
Tom, handling people’s money is not the easiest thing – the market study and the propositions you have to give to the clients – all require depth and lots of knowledge and confidence. How do you get to that and how long before you truly master this?
Markets are always evolving, so it’s important to actively manage your portfolio. Locking in profit, rebalancing your holdings, and looking for opportunities as conditions change.
Confidence and reputation can only be formed over time, I am very thankful to have worked in Private Wealth Management for 20 years.
Who are your clients?
My clients are from all walks of life – of all nationalities living throughout Asia.
More often than not, they are expatriates with international families who, like myself call Asia home. You do not need to be wealthy to work with a Private Wealth Manager, as we are here to help you accumulate and grow your wealth from humble beginnings, all the way through to protecting vast wealth and ensuring the safe succession of your wealth to loved ones when you pass away.
What is the minimum asset requirement to work with you?
You can start savings accounts from as little as USD 200 per month, or lump-sum investments from USD 10,000.
What do you do to maximise results, Tom?
Most importantly, results can only be maximised within your attitude to risk, so the very first step is to complete a risk profile questionnaire.
Then, the key to results is active portfolio management within your attitude to risk.
Investment comes with certain risks and there is this common fear to invest because people are afraid to lose their money. What is your asset protection strategy? How do you talk it through with your clients?
It’s important to stay within the parameters of a client’s risk profile and to be as diversified as possible. There is always safety in numbers.
There are many capital-protected assets to build into a portfolio, which adds security. There is always safety in time too, so important to discuss that investments should be viewed as long-term goals.
What are some of the best sources of education in the Private wealth arena?
The Financial Times is my go-to source of financial education. I’ll never forget when I started in the finance world, a partner in the company I worked for said all you need to know is on the first page, the last page, and the opinion page. But I would recommend the entire read!
The important traits of a good Private Wealth Manager, Tom?
Honesty, and integrity, are without doubt key traits, but having the ability to explain a solution, give advise on a problem in a way that is easy to understand provides confidence for the client.
How do you stay abreast of industry trends, regulations, and innovations?
Every year the industry gets stronger in terms of regulation, improving the investor’s safety and security.
Investment solutions are always evolving to provide you with better solutions, which is another reason why you must speak with your adviser frequently.
Where can Fab! Luxe readers go to know about what you offer, Tom?
Get in touch with me directly at [email protected] , or find me on LinkedIn.
I live in KL, and always happy to meet in my office in Bangsar South, or a convenient coffee shop elsewhere in the city, or even have an initial virtual meeting on Teams.
Best book you’ve read this year
The 5am Club. This book is a must read for those who want to improve productivity
The last music you downloaded
That’s either Oasis or Coldplay. I love the music I grew up listening, too.
When you need to feel inspired
I like to watch old golf videos on YouTube – Tiger Woods in his prime, Seve in the Ryder cup, or Faldo winning the British open.
Things you’ll always have in your fridge
Eggs! My daughter absolutely loves eggs, as do the rest of us. We can’t have a fridge without eggs in it.
Morning routine
Would involve making breakfast for everyone, which is usually eggs! Dropping the kids at school, and getting into the office
A typical day for Tom Henson
Catch-up on calls with a number clients. I usually have 2 meetings with new client prospects each day, which I aim to do around mid-day – which then allows me the afternoon to build a bespoke recommendation for them. If its not too late, I may head to the golf range before home, as this is my favorite form of exercise.
The evening routine, will then be cooking dinner, or helping Pri with her fantastic cooking, having some pool play time, bathing the kids, reading a story, and some more play time, before getting them off to bed.
We are a very home-based family, and are more often than not home for the evening,
What have you come to appreciate the last 2 years
Family life is number one. Seeing happy kids and a happy wife is the best thing ever.
Definition of success to you
A happy, safe family. Knowing no matter what, my family is protected.
Biggest inspiration
Comes from my wife. All of my goals and ambitions are for my family.
One gadget you can’t do without
My phone! I use it for everything – from reading the Financial Times to listening to Oasis, sending emails, WhatsApps, Waze to meetings, watching YouTube. What can’t you do on a phone?
Country you can’t wait to go back to
Thailand. Any long weekend presents the perfect opportunity for a quick getaway to Krabi, Phuket, Phi Phi.
I love Thailand in every way.
Something you’ve recently discovered
Classical music and pickleball.
If I have enough free time, pickleball would be a great new hobby to have.
Philosophy in life
Always be prepared and organised. You must always organise things that are important to you, and prepare for the unexpected.
Your style icon
David Beckham. He can pull off anything and for sure my wife would like me to look like him!
Best things about Malaysia
Without doubt the fantastic food and amazing golf courses. Two things I can’t live without!
Favorite movie
Love the Bond movies. I can’t name a favorite but I love the classics.
Favorite quote and why
“The way to get started is to quit talking and begin doing” by Walt Disney
This is so true in all aspects of live, especially wealth management.
What’s in your glass and plate for cocktail hour
Would be a close call between a Negroni, or Old Fashion, with an outside chance of a Dirty Martini!
An indulgence you’ll never forgo
Garlic Naan and Tandoori Chicken for dinner, or Nasi Lemak with Ayam Goreng.
Work of an artist you collect
I collect old golf clubs, old putters, and sets of irons. To me, classic golf clubs, are works of art!
