International legal specialist to head Hawksford’s Asian private client growth

Based in Singapore, Marcus is responsible for the management and development of Hawksford’s private client business in Asia, as well as developing client and intermediary relationships.

Marcus has extensive international experience having held private client legal roles in the Caribbean, Channel Islands and Asian financial services markets, as well as New Zealand.

Instructed by entrepreneurs and wealthy families in their business and estate planning needs, he has significant experience advising on family and business succession, family governance, private trust companies, charities and foundations.

Marcus said: ‘In an increasingly transparent world clients are seeking ever more sophisticated advisory and fiduciary services. My broad experience working internationally for top tier law firms gives me a better, and more credible, understanding  of the needs of sophisticated private clients and their advisers. Hawksford was an obvious choice of career for me given its 60 year pedigree in the fiduciary industry, enviable client list and recent willingness to considerably upscale in Asia and Europe.’

Michel van Leeuwen, Group Chief Executive of Hawksford, said, ‘Marcus brings an unrivalled level of legal expertise and business acumen to Hawksford’s private client offering in Asia. Having been based in Singapore for many years, his understanding of the market, client requirements and intermediary network is substantial. As a company with over 400 staff members globally, we are equally balanced across Asia and EMEA.  I am confident that Marcus will grow and enhance Hawksford’s private client service offering, its reputation and the client base across Asia.’

Marcus has held legal roles with Harneys in the BVI, and Maples and Calder in the Cayman Islands. He was group partner and head of Collas Crill’s Singapore office for six years before moving to Withers KhattarWong in 2016.