Educational

Graduate AICD – 2020

University of Northumbria – 2007 Master of International Trade Law

University of Manchester (UMIST) – 2002 BSc (Hons) Degree in Financial Studies

Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIB) – 2002 Institute of Export – 1992

Diploma in Export Studies

Professional

2019 – 2020     
Was retained post retirement at Kolmar Group AG on a 60% basis for 2 years with a two week long LC training course effected for TF staff in 2021.

2006 – 2019     
Kolmar Group AG
Was approached by a board member to head the trade finance department. After completing my Master of International Trade Law degree, I was responsible for bank relationships and related facility letters. Technical support on trade finance matters, bank guarantees, NDAs, in particular BL related issues, drafting and analysing TF related documentation, set up Kolmar’s first credit insurance facility and oversaw single cover insurance policies ex the London market, company registrations etc.

Drafted board resolutions for sundry subsidiaries. Gave input at board meetings on credit insurance, banking relationship matters every quarter. Responsible for maintaining and distribution of signature rights to banks and third parties.

2006                
Having spent several years building teams from scratch and getting them to run smoothly, I needed to take some time out and worked as an independent trade finance consultant. During this time I conceived and introduced an entirely new product to the Swiss SME market (blending pre-shipment finance / credit insurance / receivables discounting) and worked on a project to protect, by means of long-term hedging, the future earnings of coffee producers in South America.

2001 – 2005     
Was approached by Glencore International AG to head up the trade finance department and put together a new team. This proved to be a most challenging, fascinating and rewarding learning experience during which I could put in place a credit insurance policy unique at the time and initiate the Bolero project. This was followed by a seamless move to Marc Rich & Co. International AG once more to head up and build the trade finance team. I was fortunate in that it exposed me to project finance, enabling me to work on structuring, financing and insuring a copper mine re-start among other very interesting projects including work on creating a trade finance and treasury support interface to an existing software platform.

1995 – 2001     
Joined Bank für Handel & Effekten which then later merged with Bank Hofmann, initially as team leader in the trade finance department. Was then asked to join the front office when the banks merged and the previous team was dissolved which I headed until reinforcements could be found. This too was a challenging and educational time that not only enhanced direct contact with existing clients and the correspondent banks network but obliged me to go forth and bring new clients within the bank’s orbit.

1987 – 1994     
My first banking experience, joining Union Bank of Switzerland, Zug in the trade finance department which, at that time, was the strongest in the entire bank. The training I received was an invaluable introduction to the diverse range of trade finance instruments.

Additional Activities

Home owners‘ committee member since 1998

Founder member of the International Golf Society Zug

Non-Executive Board member of Global Trade Corporation

Ex-Board member, and ex-President of the International Men’s Club of Zug