Home Brand View How Falcon Global Capital is delivering exclusivity through customised investments 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 services to its growing list of discerning clients in the UAE by Gulf Business September 1, 2022 Tell us about the company and its key milestones. Falcon Global Capital was set up by an experienced group of investment, property and financial experts. The firm prides itself on transparency and exclusivity. We deliver on what we promote, without exposing our clients to unnecessary risks. We specialise in prime proven “bricks and mortar” assets, as well as investments in up and coming artists and companies for our more discerning clients. We have built solid and enduring relationships based on trust with our clients, and it is a key factor in making us a preferred firm for select investors. Talk us through the company’s “open-architecture” approach. Our open architecture strategy removes all the boundaries on traditional investment options for our clients. If they want to invest in art and have a favourite artist, we source the artwork for them. If they like a certain type of property, but want it in a specific location, we can identify and arrange it for them as well. We also help them invest in the “latest trend”, company or IPO, if they want. We don’t and never will put our clients in a box. Each product and each investment is tailored to what the client needs, wants and likes, be it a Falcon Global Capital product or one belonging to 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 doing okay, however, that’s not how the majority of the world lives from day to day. While the wealthy are enjoying the increased interest rates, but demanding more from investment firms such as ours, the everyday working professional, with an increased cost of living to cover, has to now more than ever, make every dollar count. What we, at Falcon Global Capital, are seeing is people looking for new ways to make money. This could be a novice investor or a wealthy, experienced client with a great portfolio. Gone are the days when people 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 is currently experiencing uncertainty. How are investors creating a balanced portfolio in these uncertain times? Creating a balanced portfolio is exactly that, it’s being balanced. Even though we understand that cryptocurrencies are the latest hype and many people have made a serious amount of money from investing at the right time; putting all your eggs into this volatile basket is never advisable. We know this all too well. Having a hedged and therefore, balanced and calculated portfolio offers 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? 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 our approach to business, we like our platform to be clear, simple and accurate. Everything that a client needs can be provided through the platform, anything more can be discussed with a “real” person. This is important to us; 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 you witnessed in the last 12-18 months? Over the past 12-18 months, we’ve noticed a distinct change in the sentiment of our investors, both old and new. Previously, clients were only interested in return and security, which is totally understandable for a passive investment. These days, we’ve noticed that our clients are actively interested in everything they invest in, particularly when it comes to assets such as non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and art. Many clients, with no prior knowledge or interest in art are now interested in NFTs. Perhaps they have seen their children playing Minecraft or dealing in Roebucks, but either way, its interesting to see how passive investment can promote an interest in a trend or topic. Which alternate investments have gained traction in recent times? Fine beverages and classic art will always have their place. Until very recently, the luxury watch market was seemingly and almost unbelievably, unstoppable. However, one asset class that Falcon Global Capital remains very involved in is classic, super and rare cars. Not only because they are a passion of ours and we know the market well, but also because there is a level of desire and nostalgia that stirs the emotions of our clients in a changing world where the petrol engine is due for retirement, and electric is the new buzz world. With connections all over the world, we’ve been keeping our clientele of motor enthusiasts very happy, with returns to match. For more details, visit www.falcongc.ae Tags Falcon Global Capital Investment luxury assets Sponsored content 0 Comments You might also like Insights: Dubai reigns as the ultimate destination for luxury living The future of 5G, fixed wireless access, digital transformation New Dhs1bn fund targets reshaping UAE health, wellness New Zealand seals trade deal with GCC to boost exports, investment