Looking through old files recently, I came across this newspaper clipping from the 20th anniversary celebration of Chase Manhattan Bank’s formation in Geneva many years ago. I was chairman of the bank at that time and also running the Europe, Middle East and Africa Division. It brought back many memories from a remarkable chapter of my career.
Yesterday, Chartwell Capital in Hong Kong announced that I would be joining the firm as a senior advisor to help deepen relationships and engagement across the Middle East. In the press release, there was a reference to my once being described as “David Rockefeller’s ambassador to the Kingdom.”
I am not entirely sure I ever deserved such a title but I was certainly honoured that some people saw me that way.
What I do know is that I was fortunate to have had extraordinary opportunities during those years. Working alongside and travelling with David Rockefeller allowed me to gain a deep appreciation and understanding of the Middle East, its people, culture and business environment at a time when the region was evolving rapidly.
Many of the lessons I learned there stayed with me throughout my career. The importance of patience, trust, long-term relationships and genuine cultural understanding remains as relevant today as it was then.
After all these years, I remain deeply grateful for those experiences and for the friendships and connections that grew from them. I have also been fortunate to continue advising clients and institutions connected to the region through leadership roles over the decades that followed.
This new partnership with Chartwell Capital feels in some ways like a continuation of that journey. At a time when ties between Asia and the Middle East are becoming increasingly important, I look forward to contributing where I can and helping build meaningful long-term connections between both regions.
#middleeast #asia #leadership #relationshipbuilding #internationalbusiness