World’s Most Influential Business Leaders 2025

Chi-man Kwan

Group CEO and Co-Founder

Company Name: Raffles Family Office

Chi-man Kwan, Group CEO and Co-Founder of Raffles Family Office, is a prominent figure in Asia’s evolving wealth management landscape, known for building a client-centric and independent platform for ultra-high-net-worth individuals. His journey was full of challenges and struggles, he began his journey in the traditional financial services, where he gained extensive experience in private banking, investment advisory and wealth management. During this phase, he understood client dealing and got a deep understanding of how to deal with a client by being an active listener and being empathetic. There were many clients who lacked independence, transparency and were not able to converse in a good way. 

As a co-founder of Raffles Family Office, He set out to redefine how wealth is being focused on long term relationships, personalized strategies and holistic financial solutions without challenges. He was keenly interested to learn more about the field of finances. His transition from traditional banking systems into modern one has helped him to keep consistency in his work. Convincing clients to transition from traditional banking systems to an independent advisory model that requires persistence, communication and consistent value delivery. 

Despite these challenges, Kwan successfully scaled the film across key Asian markets, establishing it as a trusted partner for wealth preservation and growth. His leadership qualities are top-notch and they are defined by resilience, integrity and strong focus on client needs. 

Ques. What inspired you to become a cofounder of Raffles Family Office?

Ans. The inspiration to co-found Raffles Family Office came from an innovative and clear idea to change the traditional financial institutions. Many high net worth clients with long term interests, but it has faced many limitations. This idea helped him to learn about transparency, innovation and how to deal with real world problems. Additionally, I was driven by the vision of creating a more holistic wealth management approach- It helps to go beyond investments to include legacy planning, governance, and long-term wealth preservation.

Ques. What are the biggest challenges you faced in the early stage of your career?

Ans. In the early stages of my career, one of the biggest challenges I faced was to build trust and see my competitors and make business deals accordingly. Wealth management is built on trust as a young professional, earning that trust is required for consistent performance, strong communication, and a deep understanding of client needs. It was not just about technical knowledge, it was about understanding the audience and trying to collaborate with them. 

Ques. What helped you to work in such a competitive market?

Ans. Operating in a competitive market requires a clear differentiation, and for me, that has always been a focus on client-first thinking and long-term value creation. I focused on building deep, trust based relationships and understanding the financial aspect of the clients. This approach has helped me with interactions. 

Ques. What advice would you like to give to aspiring entrepreneurs?

Ans.  The advice I would like to give to the aspiring entrepreneurs is that they should be innovative and always have an idea in mind what to do next and how to do it nicely. Keep learning and try your best to adapt things so that it will help you when you are coordinating with  your teammates. As an aspiring entrepreneur you should be focused, eager to learn and always try to solve complex problems by your end. 

Ques. How did you shift from traditional financial solutions to modern ones?

Ans. The shift from traditional to modern financial solutions was rapidly evolving. With the rise of digital platforms, data analytics, and global connectivity, clients were looking for more transparent, efficient, and personalized solutions. 

At Raffles Family Office, we focused on integrating technology with advisory services to enhance the client experience. This included leveraging digital tools for better portfolio insights, improving accessibility, and creating more tailored investment strategies.