In early 2024, Singapore emerged as the leader in Henley & Partners' latest passport rankings, surpassing a six-country tie to claim the top position. The "Henley Passport Index" reports that Singapore now holds the most powerful passport globally, offering visa-free access to 195 out of 227 destinations. The Henley Passport...

Julius Baer (BAER (SWX)) has announced the appointment of Stefan Bollinger as its new CEO, effective February 1, 2025, following an extensive search by the Board of Directors. Nic Dreckmann, who has been serving as the interim CEO, will step down upon Bollinger’s arrival. Stefan Bollinger shared his eagerness to...

Dr. Kevin Greenidge, Governor of the Central Bank of Barbados, has issued a dire warning about the significant challenges facing Caribbean economies, emphasizing climate change and de-globalization as major threats to the region's future prosperity. During the 44th Annual Review Seminar's opening, Dr. Greenidge provided a bleak outlook on the...

The rapid pace of change in workplaces across the Asia Pacific is becoming increasingly evident, as highlighted in this year's Hopes and Fears survey, which gathered insights from 19,500 workers in 14 territories. Employees are beginning to feel the strain of these transformations. According to PwC’s 27th Annual Global CEO...

On Tuesday in Seoul, South Korea, Kakao Corp. founder Kim Beom-su, also known as Brian, was arrested on charges of manipulating SM Entertainment’s stock price during a high-profile acquisition battle. The competition for SM Entertainment involved Kakao's chief rival, Hybe, the K-pop label famous for BTS. Last year, prosecutors indicted...

Abu Dhabi Commercial Bank PJSC (ADCB) is set to bolster its strategic footprint in Central Asia's thriving $1.751 trillion economy by launching a corporate banking hub in Kazakhstan. Utilizing its extensive network and expertise, ADCB aims to support businesses fueling Central Asia’s rapid economic growth, driven by major infrastructure projects,...

Canfor Corp. has announced the retirement of its long-standing President and CEO, Don Kayne, effective at the end of this year. Kayne's career with the Vancouver-based company spans an impressive 46 years, with him serving as CEO since 2011. Under Kayne’s leadership, Canfor has undergone significant growth and transformation, evolving...

Over the past five years, the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme has seen significant changes. In June 2019, Australia hosted 5,886 PALM visa holders, a number that skyrocketed to 32,513 by May 2024—a remarkable increase of 450%. Several factors contributed to this surge, notably the prioritization of PALM workers...

Henley & Partners' 2024 Africa Wealth Report highlights that Africa is home to 135,200 high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) with liquid investable assets exceeding USD 1 million. The continent also boasts 342 centi-millionaires, each worth USD 100 million or more, and 21 billionaires. Africa’s top five wealth markets—South Africa, Egypt, Nigeria, Kenya,...