It seems Christopher Forbes was destined for a career in finance. Growing up in London’s Zone 4, the head of CMC Invest Singapore was surrounded by people who worked in the city. “I was destined to follow the same path, especially with a surname like mine,” he shares.
Forbes, a keen sports enthusiast, draws parallels between himself and successful athletes. He notes that many of them hail from lower socio‑economic backgrounds and use sports as a way to better their lives, opining that “athletes from underprivileged backgrounds [tend to] do better than those from privileged ones because they [are driven] to better their lives”. He identifies with that because he, too, “came from modest beginnings”.
As a teenager, he worked in the city and caddied at a golf club where a majority of its members were involved in financial services. “I didn’t come from a huge network of wealth, so this job meant being able to buy things that, as a teenager, I regarded as important, such as new golf clubs and a nice car,” he says.
After university, he started his career on the Morgan Stanley graduate scheme and later served as the head of trading at Clermont Group, the family office of billionaire Richard Chandler, before founding Zavian Capital, a wealth management business in Singapore. In his current role as head of CMC Invest Singapore, the online and mobile trading platform under leading global online financial services business CMC Markets, Forbes plays a crucial role in steering the company through the changing landscape of financial services.
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January 2024 edition of Tatler Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Mathew Leong
As the Norway-based Singaporean chef celebrates a milestone year both personally and professionally, he opens up about the toughest moments of his career and why failing is not an option
Asian Inspirations
Chef Ace Tan on his second restaurant, Asu-his love letter to regional Asian cuisine
State of the Arts
Arts nominated member of parliament Usha Chandradas discusses growing the creative economy by focusing on both supply and demand
Through a Curator's Lens
Circe Henestrosa, a fashion curator and the head of the School of Fashion at Lasalle College of the Arts, University of the Arts Singapore, merges her personal connection with artist Frida Kahlo with her extensive curatorial experience to explore intersecting themes of identity, disability and cultural heritage
Second Nature
Poet and educator Yong Shu Hoong brings fresh perspectives to the helm of the Singapore Writers Festival, from interdisciplinary perspectives to multilingual programmes
Wine Down
Nothing wraps up the day like a nice glass of vino. From flashy hedonistic escapades to geeky watering holes, these new wine bars promise celebrated viniferous pours that will please even the most discerning of oenophiles
A Legacy in Silhouettes
Kristina Blahnik, CEO of the designer shoe brand Manolo Blahnik and the niece of its legendary founder, shares her insights on preserving the house's heritage and introduces the new Manolo's Silhouettes campaign
To Have and to Hold
With its sumptuous textures, Loro Piana's elegant autumn/winter 2024 collection is a chic celebration of craft, quality and the universal appeal of tactility
Scent of Strength
Hermès unveils its first chypre perfume, Barénia―a captivating fragrance crafted by renowned perfumer Christine Nagel that embodies bold femininity and celebrates the brand's rich heritage
Nocturnal Revival
Nighttime skincare rituals will get a boost of supercharged restoration with La Mer's new Rejuvenating Night Cream