LC Ideas: Views & Insights
The forces behind Lighthouse Canton’s strategic talent expansion
Table of Contents
“Great things in business are never done by one person: they’re done by a team of people.” – Steve Jobs
The strength of an organisation lies in its ability to build a cohesive, high-performing team. This principle is at the heart of Lighthouse Canton’s mission as it scales its operations and sharpens its focus on becoming a market leader through people excellence, investment acumen, and digital agility. Over the past decade, the firm has expanded its presence across Singapore, Dubai, and India, establishing a strong foothold in these key markets.
What is also setting Lighthouse Canton apart is that unlike most firms that specialise either as a multi-family office, wealth manager, or private bank—Lighthouse Canton is crafting a model that encompasses all these roles in one, uniting deep expertise across various sectors under one roof, positioning itself to deliver an unmatched breadth of capabilities and services to clients.
Now, as it prepares for its next phase of growth, the firm is bringing in 25 to 30 seasoned professionals across its wealth management, asset management, and investment banking divisions. This move marks a key milestone in its journey toward further sophistication and expansion, reinforcing its commitment to offering a unique blend of services and expertise in the financial services industry.
Shilpi Chowdhary, the group CEO recently spoke to LC IDEAs: Views & Insights to share why these hirings are a strategic move for the asset and wealth manager.
THE TOP THREE PRIORITIES
“Our top priority is to bring high-quality talent into the organisation, which will set us on the path to accelerated growth,” Chowdhary explained. “This talent attracts more talent, creating a flywheel effect where good talent brings in high-quality clients.”
Working with reputable clients enhances a company's reputation, credibility, and brand image, serving as endorsements of its quality and reliability. This is the flywheel effect Lighthouse Canton aims to establish and build a sustainable long-term growth.
"The second key priority is ensuring we bring in diverse talent," Chowdhary emphasised. "We're not just focused on expertise in a single function. We're also seeking diversity across roles."
Currently, Lighthouse Canton has recruited individuals with investment banking expertise, credit solutions capabilities, and experience with ultra-high-net-worth clients.
"At this level, wealth management needs are almost identical to institutional requirements, so having a broad range of capabilities is essential—and we've made sure to address that," Chowdhary added.
Chowdhary’s observations are supported by data.
Reports suggest that retail and high-net-worth investors are increasingly interested in alternative investments, which have long been the domain of institutional investors. The wealth channel is seen as a significant growth area, with estimates suggesting that up to $10 trillion could move into alternative investments over the next decade.
Geographical expansion is the third priority of the business keeping in mind strategic hires at Lighthouse Canton have been made.
Growth isn't just about deepening our presence in a single market—it's equally crucial to expand our reach across multiple regions. To truly thrive in our industry and establish ourselves as global leaders, we must excel in both areas," emphasised Chowdhary.
This is especially true as Lighthouse Canton establishes itself as a next-generation player in wealth management, investing heavily in technology solutions to scale the offerings, across the globe.
Read: The next-gen client engagement in wealth management is emerging
Also, this is not the end of it. “You’ll likely see this trend of hiring continue over the next 12 to 24 months, maintaining a similar trajectory,” added Chowdhary.
TRENDS AND FOCUS DRIVING HIRING
Lighthouse Canton is looking to build its business like Lego blocks, continuously adding functionalities and exploring how best can the pieces be assembled to fulfil the diverse needs of its clients with agility and build a robust, client-centric business.
“Our clients are diverse, ranging from entrepreneurs and hedge fund managers to various institutions. Their needs vary widely: some seek pre-IPO advice, while others look to acquire global real estate or assets. As clients advance, their requirements become increasingly sophisticated”, explained Chowdhary.
Recent market trends reveal a rising demand for advanced financial guidance, with companies increasingly turning to firms capable of navigating complex financial landscapes and delivering strategic insights. By strategically expanding its team, Lighthouse Canton aims to elevate its structuring expertise and offer highly tailored solutions to its clients.
“Our experience, (with the boosted team) in structuring and executing deals will offer enhanced knowledge on what to avoid, which counterparties to select, and how to implement successful strategies. This expertise in solutioning, capital structuring, and negotiation is essential to meet the evolving needs of today's financial landscape,” shared Chowdhary.
Amrit Singh, the new Global Head of Key Clients and Institutions at Lighthouse Canton, brings over 25 years of experience, including his most recent role as Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management for Global South Asia at Deutsche Bank. His extensive background in wealth management growth aligns with Lighthouse Canton’s goal of offering innovative investment solutions to ultra-high-net-worth individuals and institutions. Previously, Amrit held leadership roles in Deutsche Bank’s Investment Banking Division, including Head of M&A for India, the Middle East, and Africa, and Head of M&A for Telecoms in EMEA.
Balaji Prasanna, with over 35 years of experience in Private Banking and Lending, joins Lighthouse Canton as Executive Vice Chairman - Key Client Solutions. Formerly Vice Chairman at Deutsche Bank, Balaji is renowned for his expertise in structured lending and wealth planning, and will enhance Lighthouse Canton's global wealth solutions.
Henrik Aslaksen, will be appointed as President of Lighthouse Canton International, and brings over 30 years of M&A and Investment Banking experience. His career includes serving as Executive Chairman of Investment Banking and Capital Markets EMEA at Credit Suisse and Global Head of M&A at Deutsche Bank. Henrik’s deep expertise will be key in enhancing Lighthouse Canton’s global investment banking capabilities and expanding its reach with family-owned enterprises.
GEOGRAPHIES OF GROWTH
Lighthouse Canton’s primary market of focus is Greater Asia which includes Southeast Asia, India, Middle East, Hong Kong and parts of North Asia.
“Our decision to expand into Greater China will depend on how we assess the geopolitical environment and whether it is favorable for us”, said Chowdhary.
One of the hires, Henrik Aslaksen, will be based in the UK. Explaining this Chowdhary noted, “The relevance of markets like the UK arises from their status as major global centers with high-quality talent. To attract this talent and engage with clients in these regions, having a presence is crucial.”
“UK, in particular, attracts clients from East Africa and the Asian diaspora, maintaining its relevance despite changes over time. Building capabilities in these well-established centers is essential for serving our clients and capturing new opportunities”, he added.
In addition to the announcement of the three senior executives, Lighthouse Canton has made further strategic leadership appointments within its wealth management business. The move enhances its long-established coverage of clients from North Asia and Southeast Asia - a segment that has been central to its growth from the very beginning.It has taken Stella Lau on board and promoted Charlene Lin, as it builds on the North Asia coverage as the Chinese diaspora in North Asia, particularly in Hong Kong looks to invest globally. Stella Lau was appointed Managing Director, Wealth Advisory, and will be focusing on strengthening the company's client base and leading the growth strategy for North Asia. A market veteran, Lau has over two decades of private banking and leadership experience. She was previously Greater China Market Group Head at Deutsche Bank and has held similar roles, managing and expanding North Asia market teams at JP Morgan, UBS AG, and Credit Suisse AG.
Charlene Lin has been elevated to Managing Director, Strategic Growth - North Asia and Southeast Asia. A founding member of Lighthouse Canton, Lin has been pivotal in establishing the company's presence across Asia since its inception in 2014. Under Group CEO Shilpi Chowdhary's leadership, Lin has been at the forefront of driving success in North and Southeast Asia, where she has cultivated deep client relationships and significantly expanded the company’s influence.
Read more: Lighthouse Canton Boosts North Asia & Southeast Asia Wealth Management Teams
Chowdhary explained, “Growth opportunities are being looked at outside of China by investors, as domestic growth has slowed. Singapore has become a popular destination due to its strong educational system and family-friendly environment. Additionally, Dubai is seen as a gateway to the Middle East and Europe.”
By having a presence with a strong team in both these markets, Lighthouse Canton is setting itself up to capture this wealth re-allocation.
