Testimonials

  • "I highly recommend Westport Partners’ career coaching services to anyone seeking clarity, direction, and success in their career. Leveraging their career coaching services was a transformative experience: over the course of four in-depth sessions, Paul guided me through a structured approach that delved into deep personal introspection, allowing me to better understand my true career (and life) aspirations. One of the aspects I appreciated the most about working with Paul was his ability to help me evaluate and navigate various career options that were in front of me. He provided critical views and insights that were invaluable in making informed decisions about my professional path. Paul's expertise and industry knowledge made him a trustworthy and experienced sounding board throughout the entire process. Having someone like Paul in your corner, who not only understands your industry but also has your best interests at heart, is immensely valuable for anyone considering career moves or simply reassessing their professional journey. A word of caution: expect to roll up your sleeves! Paul and his team will do a lot for you, but ultimately your career is in your hands and the key to an effective coaching journey is the collaboration and extensive engagement between the coach and client."

    — Jean Nabaa, COO Consumer, Private and Business Banking, Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore)

  • "Paul is the the best Executive Search and Career Coaching professional that I have had the pleasure of working with. He has the uncanny ability to read individual situations and in turn has intimate knowledge of the market. His understanding of the Private Banking corporate culture places him in a unique position to provide senior practioners long standing career advice to help evolve and shape their future. In summary, Paul is a truly amazing character, has been a trusted partner for the past 17 years and someones who’s friendship I truly value."

    — Philip Marcus Kunz, Head of Global Private Banking, South Asia, HSBC Private Banking

  • “I had the pleasure of working with Paul when I began to reflect upon what I wanted to do next in my career – more specifically where I wanted to be, the type of firms I wished to work for, but importantly what would truly excite me. He was not afraid to ask the tough questions but did so in a manner that was supportive and with a clear focus on my longer-term objectives. For both of us this was not a transaction but a journey of discovery and for that I will be always be grateful.“

    — Sonjoy Phukan, Global Chief Operating Officer at Bank Of Singapore, Interim Global Market Head for South Asia (Singapore)

  • "Paul is a trusted partner that I have worked closely with for over 12 years. During this time he helped me build world class teams in Singapore and Hong Kong. He has great knowledge of the market, but perhaps what sets Paul apart is his ability to think outside of the box, identifying non-traditional talent. As a career coach, he has helped me clarify important career choices through his deep insights and strategic advice."

    — Marc Van de Walle: Global Head, Wealth Management, Deposits and Mortgages at Standard Chartered Bank (Singapore)

  • “Paul has been a good friend and confidante for many years and played a critical role in helping me put together a world class team in a previous role. He is detail oriented, laser focused and always performs to a very high standard. I would highly recommend engaging with Paul if you want a different perspective on getting the very best out of yourself and your team. He is quite simply,  the best."

    — Fidelis Ourche: Global Head of Capital Markets and IWS Platforms at HSBC Global Private Banking and Wealth (Singapore)

  • “Paul’s approach is personal. He takes the time to listen, to hear where you are coming from, to hear where you want to go, and where you feel you are today. But soon you also feel the professionalism of his approach and how he ask questions with purpose to help refine your goal, refine the path and each step on the way. It’s very pragmatic. Paul doesn’t always tell you what you want to hear, but that’s why you need to work  with  Paul.”

    — Gareth Nicholson: Chief Investment Officer (CIO) and Head of Managed Investments for International Wealth Management at Nomura (Singapore)

  • "I have had the pleasure of knowing and working with Paul for the past 10 years. During that time he has become a confidant and someone whom I now call a dear friend. Always objective and progressive in his thinking, Paul’s knowledge of business and specifically Private Banking is second to none. He has provided invaluable Career Coaching advice to me and key members of my team. Loyalty and integrity are key values which underpin my business, which Paul echoes in his. Thank you Paul. Sincerely, Vincent."

    — Dr. Vincent Ming: Chief Executive, Azura Partners (Singapore)

  • "Paul was tremedously helpful during the interview preparation, which turned out to be a great success. Without his Career Coaching and Consultation, finding the right job and securing the offer might not have been as smooth as it turned out. Thank you for your tremendous help in sourcing the right opportunity, professional advice and closely monitoring the interview process. Not to mention how valuable your support was for me throughout the transition. I'm thankful for all that you have done for me and continue to do for me. As I start this new chapter of my career, I look forward to staying in touch and seeking your support for future career growth. I am so grateful for your insight, counsel and motivation."

    — Connie Sin, CFA: Head Managed Investments, International Wealth Management at Nomura Nomura (Hong Kong)

  • “I’ve had the privilege of knowing Paul for the past 17 years. During this time, I have worked with him and have also been a client of his. I can say without any reservation that he is the most professional, knowledgeable and thoughtful person I have worked with in the space of Talent Acquisition, Management and Career Planning. He always takes the time to understand each person’s unique circumstances and tries to tailor bespoke advice to them with their personal end goals in mind. He never sugar coats things but is mindful to keep the main objectives in mind, pushing the envelope just far enough that you will thank him when the dust settles. If you want to hear things that make you feel good about yourself, there are many practitioners you can approach. If you want to engage with someone who will make you a better version of yourself, then you go to Paul. I consider it a great fortune of mine that he has been available as a sounding board and most trusted advisor all these years.”

    — Elton Apps: Former Head of HR & Strategic Recruitment, Bank Julius Baer (Singapore)

  • "Paul and I became friends at a time when I was considering how to enhance and truly progress my career. I engaged his Career Coaching services to assess where I was professionally and essentially explore how to take 'me' and my business to the next level. Interestingly, we commenced with some fundamental Life Coaching which helped me introspectively think and understand what I wanted to achieve with my husband and children as a family unit. Paul then helped me further embrace my adventurous side, staying fit and healthy has really made an impact on my ability to deliver at work. He challenged me to speak up, be heard, gain greater global exposure and to take educated risks at work. This has in turn given me a greater platform and I am now much happier, empowered and resultantly impactful in my role. Having Paul to show me my blind spots, gave me the confidence to take that leap forward and help illuminate my future. It has helped tremendously. Paul is a great Career Coach and I thoroughly benefitted from our sessions."

    — Cora Tang: Managing Director, APAC Head of Product in Alternative Investments at State Street (Hong Kong)

  • "I got to know Paul when he was speaking with me about a couple of job opportunities. As I was going through a period where I wasn't quite sure what I wanted to do, I signed him up as my career coach. Through his counselling sessions, it became clearer to me what was important to me and which job opportunity would have been more suitable. Some people would have opted to speak with their family or friends I chose to seek Paul's counsel because he was independant, objective and could see my blind spots where I could not. Ultimately, I picked a role where he could not represent me as a headhunter but he went as far as to make sure that I was set up for success by connecting me with important stakeholders at my workplace and the industry. Paul genuinely cares for his clients and will do what he can to make sure they are happy and successful. For that reason, I will recommend him as a career coach."

    — Cynthia Lai: Head Managed Investments Advisory, Bank of Singapore (Singapore)

  • "I got to know Paul during the height of Covid when my family and I were contemplating moving back to Singapore from Hong Kong. Relocating and changing jobs at the same time has a lot of moving components and Paul helped me with the due diligence at each and every stage of the process. Unequivocally he is not your typical headhunter, he is a Career Coach. Paul took the time to prepare a PowerPoint detailing the role and set out all the do’s and don’t’s for all of my interviews, regardless of the seniority of what’s required. He knew all key stakeholders of the hiring chain and provided invaluable information to prepare one for the meetings. He was also acutely aware of the company’s structure which aided tremendously in preparing one of what’s ahead. Post start date, he even went through the trouble to ensure one would assimilate with the company culture and people."

    — Grizelda Lee: Head of DPM, Bank of Singapore (Singapore)

  • “Paul has been instrumental in guiding my career over the past 15 years. Being very well connected, he has provided meaningful insight, strategic and honest career support and is extremely trustworthy. He has personally helped me to achieve many goals, and has been a critical sounding board throughout my senior career. I would strongly recommend Paul to anyone seeking to move their career to the next level.”  

    — Jonathan Lau: Head of Business Management, South-East Asia - Wealth Management at Deutsche Bank (Singapore)

  • "Paul always asks the tough questions, but his insight and advice were both invaluable as I navigated my journey from Investment Banking as a pure equity specialist to Private Banking in a Head of Investment Consulting – multi-asset class role. Objective, encouraging and driven, Paul believed in me and helped me make my career switch to private banking. As a Career Coach, Paul cares about what you can achieve in your business and your personal life. He is extremely well-connected in the marketplace, which gives him real on-the-ground business insight. I am grateful for his counsel."

    — Adele Yeo: Executive Director, Global Wealth Management, UBS (Singapore)

  • "The Career and Life Coaching Program with Paul was life-altering. He was able to uncover strengths I did not knowI had, guide me on what restores my spirit, build my career purpose and goals with the values that mattered most to me and set a clear plan of action for the future. As a result, I discovered I wanted to pursue further education and embarked on an EMBA with the Harvard Business School. Best decision ever and I’m grateful to Paul for his mentorship!"

    — Rani Kaur: Managing Director | Strategy | Operating Head | Transformation | Enterprise Risk Management | Asia & Middle East (Singapore)

  • "I am incredibly grateful for the guidance and support Paul provided during my career transition from Singapore back to Zurich. His deep understanding of the local marketplace and the intricacies of private banking and the investment and product platform, was invaluable. Paul's transparency and insights not only helped me navigate this transition smoothly but also enabled me to make informed decisions about my career trajectory. I sincerely appreciate Paul's objective advice, professional engagement and look forward to catching up with him over a drink in Zurich very soon. Thank you, Paul, for your invaluable guidance and friendship throughout this journey."

    — Roger Meier, Managing Director, Head of DAC Clients EMEA, UBP (Switzerland)

  • “I had engaged Paul for Career Counselling services from 26 November 2021 to 11 February 2022. Paul did an excellent job in providing strategic guidance for my career as an Accounting Professional. He was thorough in understanding my inherent strengths and was consequently able to provide sound advice about the trajectory of my future. The sessions were deep and introspective. Paul gave invaluable insights on how to navigate the competitive corporate landscape. He was also generous and forthcoming in imparting his keen business acumen. His achievements as a maverick headhunter and sportsman were inspiring to hear. I would certainly recommend Paul as a career counsellor to anyone who is genuine about achieving their full potential. Yours faithfully."

    — Ranjan Radakrishnan: CPA, Australia, MA & CFE, US (Ireland)

  • "Paul helped give me clarity and the necessary guidance and specific steps to take my career to new heights. During this process, I gained a deeper understanding of what my options were and how to focus and channel my energy. He found ways to challenge me through his Career Coaching Programme which helped me regain my confidence and in turn, the direction to take the next steps of my career journey. This led to me changing jobs internally to getting a new role in a dynamic organisation which values my work."

    — Jasper Kuan: Urban Mobility Digital Payments at Visa (Singapore)

  • "I had the pleasure of working with Paul through my recent Career Coaching and Recruitment process. He is friendly, approachable and professional. He understands the private banking industry well and the subtle nuances between different senior managers, departments and roles. This knowledge is further enhanced by his wide network across the major players. He prepared me for all my interviews, checked in regularly with me and gave quick, detailed feedback after every stage. I would highly recommend him to anyone who's looking to review where they are in their career and specifically to those who are seeking a new career opportunity in private banking."

    — Ilona Gideoni: Managing Director, Head of Sales & Business Management, Union Bancaire Privée (Singapore)

  • "I first met Paul when my family and I returned home to Singapore after being based in Covid. I was at a crossroads in my career and contemplating which side of the banking business to go back into. After much due diligence with Paul, we agreed that Private Banking was the correct direction to move in. The next question was whether to move into a generalist Investment Counselling role or consider a Fixed Income Product Specialist role. At each stage of the process, Paul’s outstanding Career Coaching advice gave me clarity of thought and the belief that I could accomplish my goals and most importantly had options. If you are looking to explore your options within your industry or potentially make a career switch, I highly recommend engaging Paul. He takes the time to really sit down with you and truly cares."

    — Kaydee Huang: Fixed Income Specialist, Standard Chartered (Singapore)

  • "Paul has been invaluable in my pursuit to transform the unconscious into the conscious state of mind. The consequences for you would be an enhanced understanding and acceptance of yourself, renewed confidence, and a sense of empowerment which you would build from within with Paul to reach your career goals and aspirations. Ultimately it is an initiation and then, a process. If you are looking for someone determined, committed, thoughtful and encouraging to keep you going, look no further than Paul."

    — C: Managing Director, Head of Products, Asia, International Bank (Singapore)

  • "I commenced working with Paul when I was at a crossroads in my career. I had different options: (A) to continue in the same area as an advisor or (B) to take a huge leap and move into a relationship management role. To make this decision, I had to weigh up all of my considerations including those on a personal front to all the business ramifications. Paul not only gave me excellent and objective Career advice, but he also gave me the clarity and confidence to make the switch and the biggest change in my career to date. Looking back, the conviction came from Paul walking through all of the intricate details and giving me fast forwards scenarios to analyse the future outcomes. 1.5 years on I can genuinely say that working with Paul and making the move was a fantastic decision."

    — Maisy Ang: Relationship Manager, Fargo Wealth Management (Singapore)

  • "Paul is very experienced, and is a great partner with deep connections in the industry. He has a good reputation in coaching his candidates and provides great insights to bring out the best of people. I would strongly recommend engaging with Paul to build a team, or search for a good team to work with."

    — Gary Leung: Head of Alternatives, APAC Client at J.P. Morgan Asset Management (Hong Kong)

  • "My interaction with Paul started in February 2021 when a colleague of mine recommended me to meet Paul. He came with a strong recommendation and he certainly proved to be as good as the reputation that he was carrying. Paul was very thorough in understanding my requirements, and then matching off my background and skill set against different roles at hand. Paul is a thorough professional and at the same time has the ability to make you feel at ease while dealing with him. I am grateful that I was able to land a role that I had wished for and Paul was vastly instrumental in making that happen."

    — Rupal Shah, Client Service Manager - Nomura (Singapore)

  • "Dear Paul. I wanted to to express my heartfelt appreciation for all your hard work and dedication in helping me guide my career. Your expertise, counsel and relentless efforts truly made a significant difference in my career journey. I am truly grateful for your invaluable help. I look forward to embarking on this new chapter and will always remember the instrumental role you played in making it possible. Regards Jeradin."

    — Jeradin Ng: Head of Huamn Resources, Union Bancaire Privée, UBP, South Asia

  • "Paul-san is a trusted partner that I have worked closely with for over 12 years. During this time he helped me build world class teams in Singapore and Hong Kong. He has great knowledge of the market, but perhaps what sets Paul apart is his ability to think outside of the box, identifying non-traditional talent. As a Career Coach he provides clear insight and strategic advice."

    — Yuichi Kagawa, Partner | Family Office | Cerebrium Capital (Singapore & Tokyo)

  • “Paul truly understands the Private Banking landscape deeply and was able to give me an insight into the business from a different and objective perspective. Working with him, gave me insights and clarity on my next strategic steps, who I should be speaking with, what my best options were and in which direction my career can evolve toward. Most importantly, Paul is a genuinely good person with high integrity. Thank you Paul, it was great having you in my corner and I look forward to our continued friendship.”

    — Andrew Chang, Senior Business Manager, GWM APAC Chief of Staff, UBS (Singapore)

  • "Paul is one of the most knowledgeable and well-connected people I have ever worked with. Not only does he take a genuine interest in helping other people develop both professionally and personally, he can always be relied upon to provide insightful guidance and honest advice - gained through his extensive experience in the finance industry, numerous successful high-level placements and close relationships with top professionals throughout the finance industry. Whether it be in times of uncertainty or at potential career junctures, he is always ready to provide level-headed guidance and honest, no-BS, speaking-to-you-as-your-friend advice. He has always had my back and can be counted on to be in your corner when you need him most. As a recent beneficiary of his coaching program, I can attest that he is deeply personally invested in helping those in his charge break through their limitations and unlock their best selves. He tailors his programs to the individual and focuses all of his efforts on helping his partners achieve their professional and personal goals. Paul is driven by giving to others - I’ve seen the way he goes above and beyond to help his clients and candidates achieve what they’re striving for. The numerous high-level executives which he placed at my previous firm demonstrates his calibre as an accomplished professional in his field. Even in situations where he’s got nothing to gain (e.g. in fleeting encounters with strangers met during after-work drinks), he always tries to leave the other person better off through their interaction, by imparting some of his expertise, helping them realise something they previously hadn’t or leaving them with some of his wisdom. In short, he spares no effort in helping others better themselves. I am lucky to be able to count Paul as a close friend and mentor. He is one of the first people I consult when I am considering a potential career option or when I am unsure about something and need informed perspective. I would unreservedly recommend his coaching program to anyone who is ready to reach the next level of their career, or who is contemplating a potential shift."

    — Ming Yen: Client Account Manager, UBS (Hong Kong)

  • "Hi Paul, I hope this message finds you in good health and high spirits. I wanted to take a moment to express my deepest gratitude for the profound impact you've had on my professional journey. During my tenure under your leadership, I not only acquired valuable skills but also developed as a person, thanks to your guidance, mentorship, and unwavering support. First and foremost, I want to acknowledge the ethical standards you instilled in me. Your commitment to integrity and professionalism served as a constant reminder of the importance of conducting oneself with honesty and integrity in the workplace. The emphasis you placed on ethical practices has become an integral part of my professional identity, and I am grateful for your unwavering commitment to doing what is right. Moreover, I am truly appreciative of the diverse skill sets I gained under your guidance. Your belief in my abilities and the opportunities you provided me to learn and grow allowed me to broaden my horizons and excel in areas I previously thought were beyond my reach. Your mentorship not only enhanced my technical expertise but also honed my problem-solving skills, decision-making abilities, and leadership qualities. These skills have been invaluable throughout my career and have enabled me to overcome challenges with confidence. Beyond the professional realm, I consider myself fortunate to have had the opportunity to work under someone who became more than just a boss but a mentor, a friend, and even family. Your approachable demeanor, willingness to listen, and unwavering support created an environment where I felt comfortable seeking guidance and sharing my ideas. Your mentorship extended beyond the workplace, and I genuinely appreciate the personal growth and self-belief you instilled in me. As I continue to progress in my professional journey, I carry with me the lessons you imparted, the values you instilled, and the belief in my abilities that you fostered. Your influence has played an integral role in shaping me into the professional I am today, and I am forever grateful for the impact you've had on my life. Once again, thank you, Paul, for your unwavering support, mentorship, and friendship. You have been an incredible influence in my life, and I will always cherish the time we spent together both at work and out of work. Should you ever need anything, please know that I am here to reciprocate the support you have shown me. With heartfelt appreciation, Shariq"

    — Shariq Ansar, Executive, Marina Bay Sands (Singapore)

  • “I engaged Paul at a time in my career, when I wanted to take stock, assess my options to ultimately ensure my career path was headed in the right direction. I thoroughly enjoyed working with Paul. He asked me hard questions, gave me great insight into the private banking and asset management landscape, both in the Middle East and Asia, enabling me to proactively and strategically plan my next moves. Thanks Paul, look forward to seeing you in Dubai soon!”

    Thakur Manglani, CFA , Director, Asset Management Sales, Lighthouse Canton (Dubai)