2024 – Accolades and Outlook

2023 was a historic year in our growth, and it’s great to see 2024 kick off in the same vein. We were delighted to be recognised by the Chartered Institute of Securities and Investment (CISI) as the only internationally accredited firm to achieve CISI Chartered FirmTM status (more on this below).

We expect 2024 to be another exciting year for the territories in which we operate. We have been hands-on with the leadership in Dubai and want to replicate that with GSB Arabia and GSB UK by being on the ground more regularly to help grow those businesses to a similar size to the UAE by the end of 2025.

Along with our DIFC Gate HQ, we announced the new office for our UK business in the prestigious Cornhill building in the City of London in December. Finally, as we grow our GCC footprint, GSB Arabia will be in the heart of Riyadh, in the Al Faisaliah Tower rubbing shoulders with the world’s largest investment banks.

CISI Chartered FirmTM

We were delighted that GSB was officially recognised by the The Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (The CISI) as a Chartered FirmTM.

This is the culmination of years of hard work and effort by everyone involved at GSB. What makes this accolade more impressive is the fact that we are the first-ever international firm to achieve this status, independently recognised as a firm operating at the highest levels of trustworthiness and professionalism.

Achieving CISI Chartered FirmTM allows consumers to identify these firms as adhering to the highest standards of professionalism, thus enhancing trust and confidence.

The business philosophy was (and is) founded and anchored on a commitment to ethical values. We offer tangible proof of our focus on providing exemplary service by pioneering how advice is provided to high-net-worth and mass-affluent individuals.

Our growth trajectory continues with ambitious plans, a global outlook and a team culture that attracts and unites the best wealth planners and advisers.

Finally, thank you for your continued trust and support. We look forward to further strengthening these relationships and delivering exceptional financial services.

Stakeholder Survey Feedback

Thank you to everyone who completed the stakeholder survey in November and December. The feedback is highly valuable to take stock of where we are, and any gaps that need to be reviewed to help shape business decisions. It is also useful to highlight where we are doing things right.

The competence of advice provided and being an advisory practice where you are comfortable referring friends and family is a yardstick where we want to excel. Therefore, we were delighted to see these measures come through exceptionally well in this feedback at 97% and 96%, respectively. Being that trusted adviser of choice is an area we will focus on maintaining.

With a growing proposition set which includes wealth management, financial planning, asset financing, personal/corporate lending, private client structuring, multi-family office and a capital markets proposition encompassing private equity, venture capital, M&A, pre-listing funding, IPO, corporate finance, corporate advisory, and private fundraising, there are multiple areas in which we can support. Feel free to reach out if you want to understand more.

Thank you again to everyone who contributed to the feedback. It is sincerely appreciated.

Team GSB

I am delighted to introduce you to Hannah Gribbin, Theresa Todd, Sam Goddard-Watts, and Mutale Grace Sitali who have joined GSB.

Hannah joins as our Group Chief Financial Officer. She has an extensive career in Finance, most recently as Financial Controller of international law firm Clyde & Co. in their Dubai offices. and previously worked at KPMG for over ten years. Hannah will hold a Group role and be responsible for the Finance function across all entities.

Theresa joins us as a Private Client Manager. She has recently moved from the UK, where she did a similar fast-paced role at Leagold Miller, supporting a department director and six advisers. Theresa will be supporting Ross in managing his clients as we advance.

Sam Goddard-Watts joins us as an Associate Partner in the GSB Private team. Recently relocating from the UK to the UAE, Sam was a Client Director at Coutts, managing a portfolio of HNW clients and brings experience on both the investment and lending side of the business. He will be working closely alongside the Partners and will play a key role in the continued growth of GSB Private.

Finally, as part of our commitment and association with EVOLVIN’ WOMEN, Mutale Grace Sitali has joined GSB as a Client Impact Manager. Mutale brings a robust background in administration, customer service, and risk management. We are confident her skills and unique perspective will add to our team’s success.

Welcome to the team!

Further appointments will be announced throughout the year as we scale out our presence in the UAE, UK and KSA.

CSR Work

GSB joined forces with Companies for Good and the Emirates Marine Environment Group (EMEG) on Saturday morning for a beach clean in Jebel Ali.

The Emirates Marine Environmental Group (EMEG) is a non-profit organisation based in Dubai with a mission to preserve biodiversity in the United Arab Emirates. Established in 1996 under the patronage of Her Highness Sheikha Manal bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum and led by Major Ali Saqer Sultan Al Suwaidi.

Every year, the seas and oceans of the world are polluted with millions of metric tons of plastic waste. This waste is a result of various sources such as poor waste management, improper disposal and industrial plastic debris. When plastics end up in the ocean, they tend to break down into smaller particles, known as microplastics, that cause harm to marine life.

As a result of the team clean, we collected a staggering 240kg of plastic waste! It was great to see so many GSB families positively impacting the environment.

A huge thanks to everyone who took part and special thanks to Kelsey Bolton for coordinating and arranging with Companies for Good and Jasmine Al Mendhry for looking after us all with refreshments – amazing sandwiches and banana cake.

We hope you enjoy reading this month’s newsletter. We always welcome any comments, thoughts or feedback. If you would like to send us any suggestions, don’t hesitate to contact us.

Yours Sincerely,

Ross Whatnall
CEO & Founding Partner

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