Team
Led by David Thomas, our team is passionate and committed to the cause of promoting greater Australian engagement in Asia, as well as working with Asian investment groups in Australia. Our approach is professional, transparent and focused on achieving results.
Australia Team
DAVID THOMAS
CO-FOUNDER AND MANAGING DIRECTOR
With over two decades of experience in the wealth management sector in the UK, Hong Kong and Australia, David Thomas has established himself as a prominent figure in the Australian financial services industry.
After running a successful wealth management firm in Hong Kong from 1988 to 1995, he moved to Australia and worked with financial planning group, Godfrey Pembroke (1996-8) and the Commonwealth Bank of Australia (1999-2000) and has since been at the forefront of numerous missions, study tours, and business delegations to Hong Kong, China and the other BRIC countries (Brazil, Russia, India and China).
His experience, networks and success have enabled David to stay abreast of the latest trends and developments within the wealth management sector in China, India, Australia and the rest of Asia, further solidifying his reputation, influence and connections within the APAC region
DR ANTHONY VIRTUE
CO-FOUNDER AND CHAIRMAN
Tony Virtue has over 32 years experience as a practising financial advisor in Australia, delivering quality investment, finance and insurance advice to a rapidly expanding client base in Sydney and around the world, with over A$500 million in funds under advice and a reputation for quality, consistency and reliability. For the past 14 years, he has operated under his own Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL) under the name of Virtue and Partners www.virtueandpartners.com.au
Tony has taught finance at Flinders University in Adelaide, has mentored over 200 of his former students in their future careers, is published on Amazon for his work in Microfinance in the Philippines, and has travelled extensively throughout his long professional career. He has served on committees and boards of many organisations, including the Boutique Financial Planners Board, the Workplace Superannuation Specialist Alliance and the NSW Ministers Council for Ageing and is active in the Financial Planning Association, the Australian Financial Advisers Association and as a Fellow of the Australian Institute Of Directors. He is highly regarded as a senior and respected member of the Australian investment community.
KATRIONA LEE
MASTER BUSINESS STRATEGIST
CEO, Kaya Ventures & Partner, Bear Venture Group; prev. Strategy Exec @ Ernst & Young, Accenture, Xero, Thomson Reuters, Kriya, Heathrow
Katriona is an innovative, commercially-minded executive with deep expertise in strategy, technology, operations and M&A. She is currently CEO of Kaya Ventures, Partner at Bear Venture Group and serves as a Board advisor and fractional Chief Strategy Officer to a number of exciting early-stage and mid-market businesses across SaaS, Fintech, e-commerce, health, and consumer products. She’s a specialist in growth, market entry, and portfolio value creation, helping high-potential companies achieve international success and rewarding exits.
To date, her clients have raised over $300 million and achieved exits in excess of $1 billion. She partners with Private Equity, Venture Capital and Corporate Advisory firms to maximise value across the entire investment chain.
JUDITH BENCE
HEAD OF MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS
Judith is an international marketing, public relations and communications professional with a background working with local and international asset managers. Working across multiple geographies including Hong Kong, Singapore, Korea, China, Australia and New Zealand, she has significant experience leading teams and advising businesses across the Asia Pacific region.
Throughout her career, she has held senior roles at global PR agencies where she led teams responsible for key clients in Australia, Hong Kong and Singapore. Judith has devised and implemented successful brand building, media relations, thought leadership, stakeholder relations, change communications, and issues and crisis management programs for a broad range of clients.
Judith holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from ANU and a Master of Commerce degree from UNSW.
MAE-VEL CATCHO
MARKETING MANAGER
Mae-Vel Catcho is Marketing Manager for APAC Financial Services based in Dumaguete City in the Philippines. She is a Financial Management specialist, holding a Business Administration degree from Silliman University, Philippines. With over 4 years of professional experience (Nov 2019 – Oct 2023), she excels in marketing support, e-commerce management, social media and market analysis. Her expertise extends to consulting, document enhancement and project management, and she recently completed the prestigious GOLD Program at Rizal Commercial Banking Corporation.
Hong Kong Team
THOMAS WONG
Mr. Thomas Wong is a co-founding partner of CW CPA, an international mid-sized professional accounting and advisory firm headquartered in Hong Kong with offices across Mainland China and liaison offices globally. With a focus on business development, he established the Latin Department to exclusively serve Spanish and Portuguese-speaking clients, a unique service model in the region. Mr. Wong actively promotes Hong Kong and Mainland China through collaborations with overseas consulates and trade promotion agencies, while also fostering innovation and entrepreneurship by cooperating with various institutional partners and technology partners. His strategic leadership drives CW CPA’s success in navigating global markets and embracing digital transformation.
ANTHONY WONG
Anthony boasts over 20 years of experience in corporate banking and finance. Specialising in aiding companies with reorganisation and growth initiatives in Hong Kong and China, he meticulously analyses financial data to enhance performance and ensure long-term success. Renowned for his straightforward and effective approach, he is dedicated to providing invaluable strategies for corporate finance and strategy.
BERNADETTE WONG
Wong Ying Hung, Bernadette, has over 15 years’ experience in the financial industry. Her experience covers asset management in HSBC, supervision work in the Markets Division for Securities and Futures Commission Of Hong Kong, as well as business development in Gulf Fund Management in UAE and Hamon Asset Management in Asia. She is specialising in health care and medical technology investment advisory.
She is also the Founder of Empathy Foundation and Honorary Secretary of Society For Innovative Healthcare Hong Kong.