We are thrilled to present an insightful conversation with David Bellingham, the esteemed CEO of Black Swan Capital, an award-winning independent investment advisory firm. With a steadfast commitment to catering to the specific and unique needs of internationals, Black Swan Capital has garnered recognition for its exceptional investment advice and personalized services. Revolutionizing Financial Services for Expats and International Professionals is one of the topics we discuss.
In this exclusive interview, we delve into David’s wealth of experience and expertise in the financial industry. Join us as he shares valuable insights, market perspectives, and his vision for empowering internationals with tailored investment strategies.
Introduce yourself! Who are you, what industry do you work in and how did you get involved with HTBAH?
Hi there! My name is David Bellingham, and I head up Black Swan Capital for Europe. Having met HTBAH through the industry, I enjoy meeting like-minded business people like Monique and her team who value high-quality service and looking after their clients!
Who are your clients?
Usually, we deal with internationals – people either living outside of their home country. We provide objective financial advice on a fee-for-service basis.
What kinds of service do you deliver yourselves and what expertise do you forward to your partners?
Black Swan’s employees are all internationals themselves! Overseen by Dutch central bank, Black Swan can guarantee the highest standard in Europe and is very proud to be the first firm in the whole of Europe that has a fully independent investment firm license.
Can you take me on your customers’ journey from A-Z?
When we meet someone, we first get to know them and see if it’s fit; will partnering with Black Swan be mutually beneficial? If it’s a match, we sign a client agreement and spend a few weeks making a full advisement report for them. Then, we help them to implement the recommendations or outsource should they need it, and have an ongoing management service for our clients to ensure they are always on track to achieve their goals.
What are your top 3 tips in working with expats to ensure they have a smooth transition from their last country of residence to The Netherlands?
- Know what you want to achieve, we can help them with this if they don’t know yet
- Built-in flexibility
- Get reputable advice
Give us an example of a time you successfully helped a client. What happened? What did you learn from it?
Every client is an example, but for privacy, I cannot divulge certain information. However, the main thing is that we know how to listen to clients and every service is bespoke on a case-by-case basis.
How can your expert advice assist a client moving from overseas to the Netherlands?
Helping them to understand the environment here, as well as understanding the options they have that are in their home countries.
What are some do’s and don’ts for expat clients that you would/wouldn’t recommend in relation to your industry?
Flexibility – the Dutch regulator has a commission ban. You can passport your license around the EU. Be careful – ‘free’ is not often the case, fine print and exit charges are often a problem for people after they’re realized it. Make sure the person you’re talking with is qualified.
What are the benefits of working with you as opposed to another vendor in your industry?
We always ensure our clients are comfortable, we’re qualified, and experienced, and have a judicial obligation to act in our client’s best interest.
How can a potential client get in touch with you?
The best way to contact us is to visit our website or send us an email at info@blackswancapital.eu.
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