Industry Consolidation Just “A Matter of Time”: 10 on the Weekend – Pablo Ostrick
Ten On The Weekend is a semi-weekly feature in IMI, the concept of which is simple: Each time, we ask the same ten questions of a different industry figure, letting readers get to know the interviewee on a more personal and informal level than they might in an ordinary business setting.
Our guest this weekend is Pablo Ostrick of Holborn Assets.
How do you spend the weekends?
Being based in Dubai, our work-week starts on Sunday and finishes on Thursday. However most of our other 11 offices around the world work on Fridays, so my weekend tends to just be a 1-day event on a Saturday!
Currently, with the good weather and low Covid-19 related restrictions in Dubai, I am lucky to be able to play Padel Tennis, a growing sport that is very big in Spain (where I grew up).
I also enjoy a good game of chess, so anybody who fancies a game: my tag is “ostrick2000” on chess.com.
What are your top three business goals this year?
1. Establish Holborn Assets/Holborn Pass as a leading international Citizenship/Residency by Investment provider with our consultants across our existing offices around the world: Cape Town, Johannesburg, Durban, Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Bangkok, Ho Chi Minh City, Kuala Lumpur, Hong Kong, Cyprus, Marbella, and Manchester.
2. We are looking for the right business partners around the world who want to join an established brand that remunerates our collaborators handsomely.
3. Establish a presence in West Africa (Nigeria) and South America (Mexico and Brasil)
What’s your biggest business concern right now?
The changes to the laws regarding European Citizenship/Residency programs. We saw the closure of the Cyprus Citizenship Program last year and now changes in Malta and also in Portugal where the Golden Visa rules are changing, making the investment case less attractive for the investors.
Considering the global pandemic, the soaring unemployment rates in most EU countries, and their public deficits it really baffles me how governments can choose to either stop programs that work or modify them to their own detriment!
Which book is on your nightstand right now?
Jordan Peterson’s 12 Rules for Life: An Antidote to Chaos.
There isn’t an intellectual in today’s world that I respect more than Jordan Peterson. His understanding of us humans, based on his clinical psychology experience, his in-depth knowledge of philosophy, and his involvement in current affairs, all from an empirical evidence point of view, makes him a shining light in today’s world. I tend to agree with his scientifically-based opinions on pretty much everything. Anyone searching to understand themselves or the world around them a little better, I would encourage them to read his books, listen to his podcasts, or watch his debates on Youtube.
How and why did you first get involved in the investment migration industry?
I was an Independent Financial Advisor for five years and I got to interact with different providers that offered their citizenship solutions to my clients. However, it was Jeffrey Henseler who inspired me to get into the business based on his integrity and success.
What was your proudest moment as a service provider?
Being able to change people’s future possibilities and their entire family’s future possibilities is really a fantastic skill-set to have, which makes me very proud. Going through the tough hurdles that each residency or citizenship case entails to reach that final moment of handing over those cards or those passports is really something that makes me incredibly happy and proud.
Which investment migration market development has surprised you the most in the last year?
Selling via Zoom! Something that previously in this industry would have been unthinkable, we are now able to speak with clients and close deals in countries where we have never even visited!
If you could go back 10 years in time, what business decision would you change?
I would have gotten into the Investment Migration business back then, rather than into Wealth Management.
What investment migration industry personality do you most admire?
I would probably say David Regueiro, from RIF Trust. Not because he is Spanish, like me, but mainly because he is a great businessman and all-around a great guy!
If all goes according to plan, what will you be doing five years from now?
Like with any industry, it is a matter of time before big players own the larger share of the market, and small players either disappear or consolidate. I believe that we, at Holborn Assets, are in pole position to be a market leader thanks to our existing international offices across emerging markets. We remunerate our partners generously and we are open for business partnerships and agency representation. I believe that with our business model, in five years’ time we should be leading the front.