From enabling investment in high-end watches and exclusive art, to luxury real estate and rare cars, Falcon Global Capital’s CEO Somia Khawaja tells us how the firm has been delivering value and bespoke investment portfolios to its growing list of discerning clients in the UAE.
Tell us about the company and its key milestones (global and local/ regional).
Falcon Global Capital was set up by an experienced group of investment, property and financial experts. It prides itself on honesty and simplicity. We don’t try to be exotic or risky, but we deliver on what wepromote. We specialise in prime proven bricks and mortar, as well as up and coming artists and companies for our more discerning clients. We’ve been around for long enough to know who is who and what delivers on time. We like to know our clients, and we want them to know us. Knowing someone can grow trust, and trust is a big factor when managing someone’s wealth.
Talk us through the company’s “open-architecture” approach.
Our open architecture approach removes all boundaries or traditional investment for our clients. If they want to invest in Art and have a favourite artist, that can be arranged. If they like property, but only in a certain place where they know and trust the geographical location, that can be arranged. If they want to be involved in the latest trend, company or IPO, this too can be arranged. We don’t and will never put our clients in a box. Each product, and each investment is tailored to what the client needs, wants and likes, regardless to whether it’s a Falcon Global Capital product or a third parties.
The US Federal Reserve has hiked interest rates, with additional hikes on the cards – how has that affected investor sentiment?
With Central Banks increasing interest rates, and inflation going up, those spending their savings are balanced, however, that’s not how that majority of the world live from day to day. While the wealthy are enjoying the increased interest rates but demanding more from investment firms such as Falcon Global Capital, the everyday working professional with an increased cost of living to cover has to now more than ever, make every dollar work. What we at Falcon Global Capital are seeing is people looking for new ways to make money. This could be the novice investor or a wealthy experienced portfolio rich client. Gone are the days when people will simply hand over their hard earned cash because of the name above the door. People want ideas, a strategy, and some form of consistency and dependency in a world which currently is all over the place.
How has ESG taken centerstage for regional and global investors?
Falcon Global Capital likes to be at the forefront of what projects and products we offer. Our UK construction sites are chosen for their minimal but positive affect on there surroundings where they also use the latest low impact materials available and our carbon footprint is kept within the lowest bands in the UK. We invest into companies making a clean change. We never prioritise profit over the wellbeing of the world and those who live on it. All of this is monitored, discussed and followed through in house. We are accountable for what we create, good or bad. We also like to be transparent. No hidden agendas, shareholders treated fairly regardless of their position. Overall, we at Falcon Global Capital just want to be a seen as a structured corporate business, run by a family of individuals that care.
Cryptocurrencies have taken a hit in recent months – How are investors creating a balanced portfolio?
Creating a balanced portfolio is exactly that, being balanced. Even though we understand that Crypto currencies are the latest hype and many people have made a serious amount of money from correctly investing at the right time, putting all your eggs into this volatile basket is never advisable. We at Falcon Global Capital know this all too well. Having a hedged and therefore balanced and calculated portfolio gives consistency and safety. We do not run a get rich quick scheme, and we do not want to lose our clients money where it can be helped. If you must invest in high risk high return products such as digital currencies then these must be financially balanced with stable proven tangible assets that deliver and are proven to deliver consistently.
What are the key facets of the company’s investment technology platform?
Lets face it, any investment firm worth investing in in 2022 will have a dedicated user and client platform which can either be a minefield, an unused application, or a dependable source of information. Like Falcon Global Capitals approach to business, we like ours to be clear, simple and accurate. Everything that a client needs, will be provided, anything more can be discussed with a real person. This is important for us at Falcon Global Capital, we never want technology to stand in the way of a conversation that could lead in so many more positive directions.
What key investment trends have manifested in last 12-18 months?
Over the past 12-18 months Falcon Global Capital has noticed a distinct change in the sentiment of its investors, both old and new. Previously, clients were only interested in return and security which is totally understandable for a passive investment. Now we notice that clients are actively wanting to be interested in what they invest in. The NFT and Art sector is a good example of this. Many clients, with no prior knowledge or interest in art are now interested in NFT’s. Perhaps they have seen their children playing Minecraft or dealing in Roebucks, but either way, its interesting how a passive investment can promote an interest into a topic.
Which alternate investments have gained traction in recent times?
So our view on the latest alternative investments? Fine wine, classic art will always have its place. Until very recently the luxury watch market was seemingly and almost unbelievably unstoppable. However, one asset class which Falcon Global Capital remains very involved with is classic, super and rare cars. Not only because they’re a passion of ours and we know the market well, but because there is a level of desirability and usability which stirs the emotions of our clients in a changing world where the petrol engine is due for retirement, and electric is the new buzz word. With connections all over the World, we at Falcon Global Capital have been keeping our motor enthusiast clientele very happy, with returns to match.
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