To South Africa for our latest “Chance to Meet…” where we encounter William De Waard, or Will to his friends, who joined TrustQore in July 2024. Born and raised in Johannesburg, William brings an impressive breadth of relevant experience from a wide-ranging career spanning fiduciary firms, investment management groups and a prominent offshore British bank’s Sandton office in Johannesburg.
William graduated from the University of South Africa (Unisa) in 1993 with a B.Com in Economics and Industrial Psychology. He further demonstrated his expertise by being awarded the International Investment Advisory Certificate by the South Africa Institute of Financial Markets, which is affiliated with the London Securities Institute.
William succinctly defines his professional role as “simplifying cross-border business with tailored structuring strategies.” With over three decades of experience managing client relationships, he has developed a deep understanding of global business practices across diverse cultures.
Dedicated to building long-term, value-driven client relationships, William distinguishes himself from others by considering the broader impact of his work. He cites his experience in managing complex international transactions, maintaining strong relationships with intermediaries and third parties, bridging cultural differences, and proactively addressing challenges to ensure success.
William’s considerable experience enables him to navigate the complexities of managing global operations in today’s heavily regulated business environment. Whether advising clients on cross-jurisdictional solutions, upholding the highest ethical standards, or enhancing business resilience, William’s approach is consistently client-focused and results-driven.
Looking ahead, William’s future business development strategy remains flexible, enabling him to seize new opportunities as they arise. He is especially excited about plans to visit fund administration and management firms in South Africa that are already using Mauritius as a hub or are exploring the possibility to do so.
Accompanied by TrustQore’s Mauritius-based Nico van Zyl and Vehlen Runghien, who will be traveling to South Africa in late March to early April 2025, William will continue to engage with fund professionals considering Mauritius as their international hub.
He will also meet with those who already have structures there but, for various reasons, are exploring a possible transfer to an alternative fiduciary firm.
Outside work, William is an avid sports fan and maintains a regular fitness routine to stay in good shape. Being the “wrong side of 50, albeit only a little bit over”, he ruefully admits, “I’m determined to keep my fitness level high for both my health and overall well-being.”
William’s passion for sports extends to test rugby. Although his playing days are behind him, having been active at school and university, he remains a dedicated Springbok supporter and follows the Six Nations tournament annually. During his younger years, he was also an accomplished swimmer where he competed at national level.
With his diverse experience and well-rounded skills, William is a key asset to TrustQore, poised to drive the growth of the Group’s Southern Africa business. To learn how William’s expertise, combined with TrustQore’s exceptional range of services, can benefit your structuring plans, contact him today for a no-obligation consultation.
Email: [email protected]