Tino Moorrees of BNP Paribas Investment Partners talks about spicy food, travelling in South America, his favourite Tom Cruise film and what makes him a dogâs best friend.
Name: Tino Moorrees
Company and job title: BNP Paribas Investment Partners, chief executive Hong Kong and head of sales and marketing for Asia
Previous company and job title: BNP Paribas Investment Partners Japan, chief executive
How many years in the Asia-Pacific region: Ten
What do you consider to be your home town? Tricky question, as I have never lived more than seven consecutive years in the same city or town. The city I have spent the most number of years is Jakarta – five years as a child and another five years for my work with BNP Paribas Investment Partners.
Educational background (subject studied and school/university): Law at the University of Leiden in the Netherlands.
First job in the funds industry: Product manager for structured products. A product manager role provides a great opportunity to interact with different departments and understand the different aspects of a fund manager, from front to back office.
What is the toughest challenge you’ve faced in your professional life and what made it so challenging? During the financial crisis when I was working for Fortis Investments and the financial health of the company was challenged by the market and clients, it was important as a member of senior management to be as transparent as possible to key stakeholders, mainly employees and clients.
What achievement in your job are you most proud of? Looking back at my experiences in Indonesia, Japan and now in Hong Kong, I am most proud of building a successful business in Indonesia with the team there. Our business there has been at the forefront of the Indonesian mutual fund industry and this goes back to 1992, when BNP Paribas Investment Partners built and established its reputation.
What advice would you give to someone who is beginning their career in the funds industry? Exhibit humility, be ambitious and try to rotate between different roles and responsibilities to get a broad view of the industry.
If you could change one thing about the funds industry, what would it be? A quicker adaptation of responsible, long-term investing by all market players.
What is your greatest ambition in life and why? To provide my family with all the support they need.
What’s the best investment you’ve made and why? Buying a second-hand Toyota in Jakarta and after five years selling it for nearly the same price I bought it for.
Tell us something about you that most people don’t know: I have an insatiable craving for chilli. I love my food to be as spicy as possible, except for perhaps cheese fondue.
Favourite country to visit for a holiday and why: One that stands out is a trip I made with my wife to Chile and Argentina many years ago, where we trekked through Patagonia, the Andes and visited beautiful cities with lots of passion such as Buenos Aires.
Favourite type of food and why: Indonesian food. Can’t get enough of the spices and aroma.
Favourite book or film and why: I loved Jerry Maguire. Great cast, combination of humour and emotions and the sports angle. “Show me the money!”
Your house is burning. Your family is safe. You have time to rescue one object. What would it be and why? My dog. If he’s safe, I’ll go back for my family photos.
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