Alternative Investment Series – Invest in UK Property

James Macdonald was appointed as Head of Savills Research, China in 2007. He has the overall responsibility to ensure the successful delivery of research across mainland China, advise key clients and stakeholders of the latest market trends and future business opportunities as well as expand the adoption of technology systems and develop thought leadership.

Savills China Research Department is the backbone of Savills’ operations in China. By compiling much needed knowledge and support for our agency departments, Savills Research provides the leading edge needed in China’s increasingly competitive real estate market.

On an ongoing basis, we monitor a multitude of aspects within the various sectors of the property market—office, retail, residential, investment and hospitality. By compiling premium quality data, we enable ourselves and our clients to gain useful insights into China’s market dynamics.

Nan is a Senior Manager, started her career in the UK with over 15 years’ experience in providing personal income tax compliance and advisory, global compensation advisory services. She joined KPMG UK in 2020, transferred to the KPMG China practice in 2022.

Nan has significant experience in implementing complex global transformation projects and providing personal income tax compliance and advisory services, and global compensation solution for large multinational organisations across various industries including banking engineering, satellite communication, food, beverage and tobacco, aerospace etc.

Nan led and delivered global mobility projects including cross-boarder personal income tax compliance, global compensation and embedded payroll change for clients with intemational assignee population across different regions. This experience gained through significant periods working alongside multiple client stakeholders across geographical borders and business functions. She also led process redesign workstreams as part of transformation projects to reflect end-to-end processes.

Her experience in both Industry and Practice across Europe and Asia Pacific has provided her with a unique insight and perspective in respect of personal income tax and cross-boarder payroll models. She also focused on aligning business and technology needs in harmonizing projects and evaluating technologies to client organisations with global mobility diaitalization transformation.

Mr. Chen has almost 20 years experience in advising high-net worth individuals and wealthy families. He is also a formal member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioner (STEP).

Since 2005, Mr. Chen has worked in Big Four accounting firms and international law firms for international and domestic high-net-worth clients, including business founders and their family offices. Mr. Chen specializes in providing cross-border legal and tax services to clients with multinational family members and global asset portfolio. He provides clients with tax-optimized wealth transfer and succession services, including tax advisory related to asset succession, immigration planning, tax compliance, charitable giving, testamentary succession, trust formation and administration, property division arising from marriage and family, and related tax issues.

Representative cases include:

• established an overseas family trust on behalf of the founder of a well-known enterprise in the autonomous driving industry;
• represented a mainland entrepreneur in setting up a Singapore family office;
• represented the actual controller of a mainland fund in setting up an overseas family trust and a Singapore family office;
• represented a wealthy family in purchasing U.S. based real estate and advised on asset holding structures, and succession plans;
• represented the core family of founders of listed companies in China and overseas to set up family offices;
• represented a Chinese client in cross-border divorce and providing tax services on the division of joint property;
• acted for the founder of an overseas listed company in a dispute over succession;
• handled investment immigration to the United States,
• provided tax planning services and set up an offshore trust for a Chinese client;
• provided legal services such as the division, asset division and restructuring of the actual control family of a Chinese listed company;
• acted for a European high net worth family in connection with trust-related tax treatment;
• represented a well-known foreign charitable foundation in providing legal and tax services for its charitable donations in China;
• acted for a Chinese client in designing a tax structure for investing in U.S. real estate.

Mr. Chen is a ranked lawyer by well-known legal rating agencies: LEGAL500 2024, 2023, 2022; Chambers 2024, 2023, 2021; LEGALBAND 2023, 2021.

Mr. Chen wrote extensively in China for the Chambers Private Wealth Guide, ICLG Private Client Guide and Henry Christensen III Treatise Partial.

Robbie obtained his LLM from Renmin Univeristy of China and LLB from Shanghai International Studies University. He studied International Taxation at Leiden University in the Netherlands. Mr. Chen is qualified as a PRC lawyer, CPA and CTA.

He is a member of the Tax and Customs Committee of the Shanghai Bar Association.

Since 2016 to the present, I have been serving as the Head of China for Berkeley China, where I have led the strategic direction and ensured operational excellence for the company’s endeavors in the Chinese market. I have successfully navigated complex business landscapes, fostering growth and expansion opportunities, and contributing to making the China market one of the company’s most important overseas markets.

Prior to my current role, from 2014 to 2015, I held the position of Deputy General Manager at Yanlord Chengdu Shopping Mall, where I played a pivotal role in the company’s daily operations and significantly enhanced business performance by driving strategic initiatives. This included leading the shopping mall’s upgrade projects and enhancing the shopping mall’s brand mix during that period.

From 2013 to 2014, I was the Regional Sales Manager (South) for Hermes China, overseeing sales operations in the southern region. During this tenure, I implemented effective sales strategies, bolstered team performance, achieved notable revenue growth, and opened the largest flagship retail store in Central West China in Chengdu, as well as pre-opened several new retail stores in Wuhan, Kunming, and Guangzhou.

From 2008 to 2013, I progressed my career as the Regional Area Manager (North) at Ermenegildo Zegna China. In this challenging role, I managed key markets in the northern region, ensuring seamless execution of business plans and delivering exceptional customer experiences. My efforts contributed to the company’s sustained success and growth in the Chinese luxury retail sector.

Earlier in my professional journey, from 2003 to 2008, I honed my skills in the hospitality industry, serving as a Front Office and Reservations Manager at various prestigious 5-star international hotels. This rich experience equipped me with exceptional customer service acumen, operational proficiency, and the ability to thrive in high-pressure environments.

Throughout my career, I have demonstrated a proven track record of delivering results, building high-performance teams, and driving business growth through strategic thinking and innovative approaches. My diverse background, coupled with a deep understanding of the Chinese market, positions me as a valuable asset for any organization seeking to excel in the dynamic landscape of China’s business environment.

Mr. Kassian Polin, CFA, is the General Manager of the Wealth Management and Segment Department at The Bank of East Asia (China) Limited (“BEA China”). Mr. Polin leads 3 teams – Wealth Management, Segment and Marketing, plus Customer Data Strategy – at BEA China’s Personal Banking business. He also drives numerous domestic and cross-border initiatives.

Before joining BEA China, Mr. Polin has more than 15 years of experience leading various teams at HSBC’s Wealth and Personal Banking business. He completed record-breaking initiatives across Hong Kong, Taipei, Singapore, and London. He also drove HSBC’s strategy in the areas of ESG, Belt and Road and Fintech.

Ian Bell is a seasoned financial adviser with 27 years of industry experience, specialising in investment planning and family protection for  expats. Ian leads the Shanghai office for Bluestar AMG, where he provides tailored financial solutions with a personable touch. With a BA(Hons)degree in Financial Services from Manchester Metropolitan, Ian combines expertise with genuine care for his clients’ well-being making him a trusted ally in navigating international financial landscapes.

Specialised in global specialty insurance & reinsurance, extensive experience and leading roles with top tier global (re)insurance risk carriers cross continents and business disciplines, covering underwriting, strategy, operation, M&A, investment, platform consolidation and optimisation.

Previous roles include Underwriter at Lloyd’s of London; Head of Greater China for Catlin & XL Catlin Group, also member of Asia Pacific Executive Committee (covering 8 countries and 13 offices across APAC); Assistant President of Fosun Insurance Group; CEO and Chief Investment Officer of Lloyd’s China. Currently President of Thames Investment and Chief Advisor of Zillion Capital.

Graduated from Peking University, Cass Business School and London Business School. Degrees include MSc & EMBA.