About
NEXGEN
Desert Green
OUR VISION
To be the leading authority on family business related services including business strategy, wealth advisory, talent management, education and research in the Gulf region.
OUR MISSION
Reinforcing UAE’s market competitive position as a leading family business research hub; benchmarking it with innovative cities like Singapore, Hong Kong
Training the SME entrepreneurs and the next generation of family businesses to ensure their growth and continuity
Ensuring sustainable growth of a diversified economy
Family businesses & SMEs play a vital role in driving global economic growth. In the Middle East and GCC, family business account for 80% of non-oil GDP and 75% of private sector. Most businesses in this region are young and are in the midst of a succession from the second to the third generation.
NexGen Desert Green understands what makes family and closely held businesses unique and the spectrum of challenges that can limit their success. We at NexGen, focus exclusively on helping both the family and the business. We combine our deep understanding of family dynamics with the latest research and best practices to provide solutions that balances business strategy, family systems, control, and family harmony while maximizing shareholder value.
Michael has held several Board memberships, Advisory and Management Committees, most recently Emirates NBD Trust Company, Jersey; Emirates NBD Wealth Management Leadership and Investment Committees; Chairmanship of Emirates NBD Parivate Capital Investment; Chairmanship of Credit Suisse Lebanon; Member of Executive Committee Credit Suisse Saudi Arabia; Ongoing Advisory role to UHNW families in the GCC Region.
His global assignments included KSA, Abu Dhabi, Chicago, New York, London, Geneva and Dubai
He has developed close strategic relationships with institutions, sovereign, merchant families and family offices in the MENA region and in particular, in KSA
Michael holds a B.A in Economics and History from Haigazian University and an MBA with Honors from Thunderbird, School of Global Management, USA
EXPERIENCE:
Emirates NBD
-
5 years GM Private Banking, Dubai.
Credit Suisse
-
10 years Head strategic relation UHNWI & Family Offices. London and Dubai
JP Morgan
-
5 years Global Head Kingdom of Saudi Arabia Market, New York, London and Geneva.
Citibank - Citigroup
-
15 years in various roles in Saudi Arabia, Abu Dhabi,UAE, Denver, Colorado, Chicago, Illinois and New York.
EUROPEAN PARTNERS
Dr. Daniel Hasler
MBA Oxford & Ph.D. Biochemistry
Family Office
-
3 years Business Consultant
McKinsey
-
5 years Middle East & Finance
Credit Suisse
-
5 years Head Business Development ME & ISC
Key Competences
-
Business building and implementation
-
Corporate governance and managerial improvement
-
Strategy and market entry
-
Emerging markets experience in broad range of sectors
Lic. oec. Jean-Luc Zehnder
MA in Business Administration and Finance
Family Office
-
1 year Investment Director
PwC
-
2 years M&A Advisory London
-
5 years Strategy/M&A Advisory Zurich
Julius Baer
-
1 year Director Direct Investments
Key Competences
-
Direct investments and M&A advisory
-
Corporate strategy consulting / Business development
-
Seasoned project/interim manager with entrepreneurial spirit and hands-on attitude
Dr. Thomas Bächtold
Dr. iur. et lic. rer. publ. HSG
Attorney-at-Law/MBA
Notary Public (Kanton Zug/Switzerland)
Family Office
-
3 years CEO of Zurich based family office
Pictet Geneva
-
12 years Managing Director Pictet Family Office
UBS
-
Responsible for legal and compliance in trading, sales and risk management division
Citibank
-
Vice President for Business Risk, Compliance and Control
Key Competences
-
Experienced Manager and Professional for Family Offices, its set up and management
-
Proven know-how in the area of asset structuring, asset growth and asset control
-
In-depth expertise in the area of blockchain, crypto currencies and blockchain including its regulation and taxation
-
Member of several Investment Committee of family office clients with investment universe in private equity, listed equity and fixed income, hedge funds and private equity funds
-
Intimate understanding of family dynamics and family governance of entrepreneurial families, particularly in the area of succession planning
-
Over 20 years of experience as a lawyer in the financial sector and its regulation
-
Proven know-how in compliance (AML, KYC); registered financial intermediary
-
Expertise in project management, strategy, value creation and innovation in the family office area
