Sustainability and Leadership: Shaping the Next Generation of Finance Professionals

About Simon Ng, CFA

Simon Ng, CFA, is a prominent figure in the financial landscape, currently serving as the Chief Executive Officer of Peak Capital Management, a multi-asset alternative fund manager dedicated to crafting bespoke investment strategies for accredited investors. With over two decades of experience, Simon has held various leadership roles, including his recent tenure as CEO of RHB Asset Management, where he focused on alternative investments. His career spans several countries, including significant positions at CCB International and AXA Rosenberg Investment Management. A graduate of the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and the National University of Singapore, Simon combines academic rigor with extensive industry experience. Beyond his corporate commitments, he is deeply engaged in volunteerism, serving as the President of CFA Society Singapore. His decade-long journey in volunteer roles has transformed his perspective on corporate responsibility, emphasizing the importance of community engagement, financial literacy, and mentorship for future generations.

About PEAK Capital Management

Peak Capital Management is a dynamic multi-asset alternative fund manager committed to providing tailored investment solutions for accredited investors. Under the leadership of CEO Simon Ng, the firm focuses on innovative strategies that align with the evolving needs of its clients while navigating the complexities of today’s financial landscape. Peak Capital emphasizes a holistic approach to investment management, blending rigorous research with a commitment to ethical practices. The firm’s dedication to fostering strong relationships with its clients is reflected in its personalized service and responsiveness to market changes. As a leader in alternative investments, Peak Capital aims not only to achieve competitive returns but also to contribute positively to the community, embodying the values of integrity and collaboration that are central to Simon’s vision for sustainable investment practices.

Ethics

Mike Sim: How do you balance the pursuit of profit with the need to act ethically?

Simon Ng: Balancing the pursuit of profit with the need to act ethically in fund management presents a nuanced challenge, as investors and fund managers often have to navigate both financial objectives and moral considerations. In such a competitive market, creativity and innovation are needed to differentiate yourself while ensuring ethical practices are maintained. By integrating ESG considerations, focusing on long-term value, and ensuring transparency and accountability, we meet both financial and ethical goals.

Moreover, aligning incentives with sustainability, engaging in responsible stewardship, and selecting investments with social impact or ethical considerations can create a model where profit and ethics mutually reinforce each other, leading to both financial success and positive societal impact.

Mike Sim: What measures do you take to prevent conflicts of interest within your company?

Simon Ng: Preventing conflicts of interest within an organisation is essential for maintaining integrity, trust, and ethical standards.

Fund management is a highly regulated and competitive industry, so we put in place strict governance measures to prevent conflicts of interest. Establish a comprehensive code of ethics and conduct that all members of the company are expected to follow.         

The code should include a specific section on conflicts of interest, outlining acceptable behaviours and expectations. We establish written policy that clearly defines what constitutes a conflict of interest, the potential risks involved, and the steps employees and management should take to avoid, disclose, or resolve conflicts.

Creativity and innovation in products and strategy help differentiate us, but we are always mindful of maintaining transparency and fairness.

Our credibility and the accreditation we’ve earned in the industry help build trust, which is crucial in ensuring ethical behaviour and avoiding conflicts.

Mike Sim: What role does corporate governance play in ethical fund management?

Simon Ng: Corporate governance plays a crucial role in maintaining ethical standards, particularly in fund management. As we operate in a inherently scalable and competitive business, strong governance helps ensure that we are transparent and accountable. It also helps us navigate potential conflicts of interest while maintaining trust with our investors and stakeholders. This ensures that we act responsibly in the pursuit of profit, aligning our practices with long-term sustainability goals. By ensuring that funds are managed ethically and in the best interests of all stakeholders, corporate governance helps build trust, protect investors, and contribute to positive social and environmental outcomes.

Challenges in Setting Up a Fund Management Company

Mike Sim: What strategies did you use to differentiate Peak Capital Management in a competitive market?

Simon Ng: The fund management industry is challenging in many way, primarily due to the competitive nature of the market, the complex and ever-changing environment, and the responsibility to meet client expectations, all while facing regulatory pressures. We focus on differentiation strategy including innovation, customer experience, transparency, unique fee structures and alignment with clients' values and goals. We develop expertise in a specific area to offer clients specialised knowledge and insights that generalist funds do not provide. You have to offer something different to compete within your own spectrum.

Mike Sim: How did you secure initial funding and investors for your company?

Simon Ng: Fundraising can be one of the most challenging for most companies. You need to emerge with innovation, creativity, and expertise to earn respect and credibility. Personal connections are often the first source of capital. My robust career history and journey, particularly my involvement with CFA Society Singapore, have earned me some accreditation and recognition in the industry.

We emphasize on long-term, sustainable growth, both for the company and my investors. This credibility, along with the credentials of my team, has helped in the fund-raising journey.

Mike Sim: Can you discuss a significant setback you faced while building your company and how you overcame it?

Simon Ng: One of the challenges I faced was deciding to start my own business at this stage in my life. After reaching half a century, I realized that it would only get harder to do it later as my energy depletes. This led to a leap of faith, believing that some decisions, even the difficult ones, must be made when the time is right. Fund management is a competitive and crowded business, but my decision to take this step now instead of later was driven by the understanding that it was the right time to leap forward.

Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG)

Mike Sim: Can you provide an example of an investment decision influenced by ESG considerations?

Simon Ng: There’s a lot of debate around ESG, and there has been some pushback, as we’ve seen with companies like BlackRock. We are shifting our focus from ESG to sustainability, which resonates more with our long-term goals. We aim to integrate sustainability into our investment strategies in a way that influences our decisions, such as impact investing to generate measurable positive social and environmental impact alongside financial returns The company will focus on sectors including renewable energy, healthcare and education.

Vision for Young Leaders

Mike Sim: What advice would you give to young professionals aspiring to enter the fund management industry?

Simon Ng: The common conversation to these groups of young professionals and graduates is to be hungry. What I am seeing now is that the level of hunger seems to be lacking compared to our era. I stand by the 3 As: able, agility, and adaptability. The ‘able’ part refers to knowledge and experience, such as early internships. The ‘agility’ part is key in today’s wide-ranging fund management industry. Gone are the days of being one-dimensional; now, you have to be open, agile, and able to navigate different circumstances. Adaptability is essential, and the industry requires quick learning on the job. 80% of what you’re doing is not what you learned in school. The Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation is highly respected in the industry. It provides deep knowledge in areas such as financial analysis, portfolio management, and ethics.

Obtaining your CFA can give you a competitive edge and demonstrate commitment to your professional growth.

Technology is rapidly transforming the fund management industry. Sustainability and impact investing are becoming increasingly important. Stay on top of industry trends and innovation.

Mike Sim: What skills and qualities do you believe are essential for future leaders in finance?

Simon Ng: Leadership, KOL (Key Opinion Leader), entrepreneurship—these come when you reach a stage where you want to do something for yourself. For me, it was about reaching half a century in age and marking that as a milestone. After spending half of a century—25 years in education, another 25 years as an employee—there comes a time when you want to start something new and take the next chapter of your life forward. For many, this realization and drive to create a legacy come with maturity.

Start building your personal brand by sharing your insights on investment strategies. Establishing yourself as a thought leader can help you stand out and attract attention from potential employers or investors.        

Mike Sim: What role do mentorship and networking play in advancing one’s career in finance?

Simon Ng: Volunteering with CFA Society Singapore has been an invaluable experience. It has allowed me to engage with a wide range of individuals, from new entrants to veterans in the finance industry. Through this interaction with candidates and society, I’ve been able to identify talents and build networks. Mentorship and networking play crucial roles in career development by providing opportunities to learn, grow, and make meaningful connections in the industry. Networking is key to breaking into the fund management industry. Join relevant professional organisations, such as CFA Society Singapore and attend industry conferences, events, and networking mixers. Identify senior professionals or mentors within the industry who can offer guidance, share industry insights, and potentially introduce you to valuable contacts. Mentorship is critical for developing your career, especially in a competitive and high-stakes field like fund management.

Thank you Simon, for taking time to share your valuable insights and experiences.

Mike Sim

I am one of the billions of LinkedIn members online that post on a regular basis, I interview CEOs, entrepreneurs and talks about entrepreneurship in fund management, follow me and comment so we can have more conversation.

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