MEET THE TEAM

MATT FIRMAN
CEO

Matt Firman started his career working for Bank of Scotland in London, advising high net worth clients around the world.  In 2004 Matt moved to a large investment bank on Wall Street to focus on US clients. He moved to Dubai in 2009 and worked for Old Mutual International, holding the position of Head of High Net Worth Distribution and travelled extensively advising bankers, Family Offices and Wealth Managers to structure clients wealth to legally and compliantly reduce their effective rate of tax.  Matt lives in the Algarve with his wife and two daughters and enjoys playing golf and watching football. Matt is a member of the chartered institute of securities and investments.

PAUL NICHOLSON
Group Executive and Senior Wealth Manager

Paul was born in Zimbabwe and has over 30 years of experience in advising South African residents and expats on international investments, both in South Africa, the United Kingdom and Portugal, with particular focus on providing his clients with income in retirement. Paul specialises in creating offshore structures to assist his clients with cross-border tax and estate planning and has an extensive track record both with his clients and with some of the world’s most respected international financial institutions, in some of the most highly regulated offshore jurisdictions.

STEPH RYAN
Client Relationship Manager EU

Meet Steph Ryan, career driven mother to a beautiful little boy.  Over the course of the last 20 years, Steph has developed her skill set across the creative and strategic management fields. From building a successful construction company with her husband, the two prove to be a powerhouse couple at the top of their game. With a zest for life and new adventure,  the couple recently turned to Portugal as their new home base. Steph continues to develop her skills set as a new member of the exclusive St James Global. With a love for people and a vast connection capital across different fields, Steph has proven time and again a reliable, compassionate ally in any situation

Lee Louise Mackessy, MBA
Business Development Manager

As a Business Development Manager I work with a team of skilled professionals to deliver a full range of financial strategies tailored to your circumstances.  I have over 20 years of professional experience as a financial advisor in the U.S. helping clients minimize their taxes and grow their assets safely.  As a client you can be assured of receiving the highest level of ethical and professional behavior as we develop, implement and offer ongoing review of a customized plan for your unique situation.  My experience in the financial services industry dates back to 2001 starting as a Personal Financial Representative with Edward Jones Investments. I have managed over $48 million for over 400 clients but my greatest achievement was raising three healthy and happy sons. I hold a Bachelor of Science degree from University of Nevada and a MBA from Eastern Washington University.  I also served in the U.S. Army and lived in Frankfurt, Germany and Seoul, South Korea.  I moved to Portugal in April 2022 and currently live in Almancil.  

JULIE CHEN, MBA
Business Development Manager

Jules has extensive experience in banking, real estate, business development and operational optimization. She started her career at JP Morgan Chase in Southern California specializing in the Real Estate sector. Jules then shifted her focus to China researching Chinese banking reform on a Fulbright Fellowship and was the country manager for a US agribusiness entering the Chinese market. After finishing her MBA from the University of Michigan, she worked as a management consultant for both Deloitte and Ernst & Young specializing in strategic and operational improvements across industries. Jules has spent a significant part of her career working internationally in China, Singapore, Mexico, South Korea, and Israel, which led to the move to Portugal for a slower pace of life. She’s enjoying living in the Algarve with her husband and her dog hiking along the ocean, eating through Portuguese cuisine, and exploring the rest of Europe. She is excited to help others replicate her experience and minimize their taxation between the US and Portugal.

With 70 years of combined experience, we can give you and your assets the security they need.

We are  100% focused on building relationships from generation to generation.

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