The trading market has become a major player in today’s quickly changing financial landscape, influencing how we manage and invest assets. Trading has grown more dynamic and accessible as technology develops, drawing both individuals and organizations. As the Executive Chairman of Tickrs Financial Singapore and the firm’s trading platform, Tickrs Pro, a fully-owned subsidiary of Valuable Capital Group, Samuel Ho is the forefront leader of this dynamic financial landscape.
Besides, Samuel Ho is also serving as the Managing Director and Head of Wealth Management at Valuable Capital. With the group’s innovation in technology, Samuel Ho and his team are redefining the trading industry in both Singapore and globally.
Join us as we delve into the world of trading and explore the perspectives of Samuel Ho on this industry.
The Beginning
We were curious to learn more about Samuel Ho’s educational background and the events that led him to his current position. So, we asked, “Can you please provide us with some information about yourself, including your early life and education?”
Samuel Ho said, “Growing up, I was actively involved in sports where I represented both my zone and club for water polo. I thoroughly enjoyed my time in water polo as it taught me a lot about qualities such as teamwork, perseverance, and discipline. After completing my pre-university education, I entered the working world at a relatively young age when I joined the Singapore Monetary Exchange (SIMEX) Floor as an open outcry trader assistant and subsequently floor trader. This was the time when my eyes were opened to the world of finance and I have not looked back since.
Following the closure of the SIMEX floor in 1996, I then kickstarted my 13 years’ journey in HSBC Futures where I began sharpening my craft in the Futures industry and played a key role in the setting up of the commodities’ desk. Following that, I joined the Chicago Mercantile Exchange (CME) in 2009 and very much focused on the strategic sales and rebranding of CME Group and its products. It was during my time in CME that I was able to forge an extensive network in the industry and leverage my global outreach to springboard my career to greater heights.”
He added, “In 2011, I was the Executive Director of KGI Hong Kong and Singapore where I built the Futures and Options business for KGI Group from the ground up in both locations, marking the beginning of KGI Group’s presence in the global futures market. Between 2014 and 2018, I joined the Hong Kong Exchanges and Clearing Limited (HKEX) where I served several senior positions and managed all the participants of the Exchange. During my time here, I was also at the center of exposure to international markets and forged a strong network of relationships with global and Chinese stakeholders during the inception of the Shanghai-HK and Shenzhen-HK Stock Connect programs.
Between 2018 and 2022, I served as the Chief Executive Officer of Bursa Malaysia Derivatives (BMD), the Malaysian Derivatives Exchange. I am proud to have served in this position where the efforts of the team to raise the international presence of BMD resulted in 25 historical trading records being broken, as well as with BMD being awarded the Futures & Options World (FOW) 2020 Asia Pacific Exchange of the Year. At the moment, I serve as the Executive Chairman of Tickrs Financial Singapore, a wholly owned subsidiary of Valuable Capital Group Limited, and a member of the Sina Corporation, where I am currently responsible for driving the Group’s global wealth management business.”
Presence Of Tickrs Financial Singapore
Eager to learn about the presence of Samuel Ho’s company in the Singapore region, we asked, “Could you tell us about your company and its presence in your region?”
Samuel Ho responded, “Tickrs Financial Singapore is a wholly owned subsidiary of Valuable Capital Group Limited, and a member of the Sina Corporation. The Group has an established presence in Hong Kong, known as Valuable Capital Limited, where it is currently a leading financial services broker. In addition, the Group has a presence in the US, Saudi Arabia, and Malaysia. As a whole, the Group currently serves more than one million account holders globally where we have been granted over 20 financial services licenses in major markets and have over USD 25B of assets under management.
Our company was established to be the hub of the Group’s global wealth management business. Due to the global presence of the Group, the company serves as the hub whereby multi-asset class offerings and financial solutions are offered to global clients to meet their investment needs. Regionally, we work closely with our key strategic partner Hi Think who is the leading financial information and trading system provider in China where we aim to scale and advance solutions to more financial institutions across Southeast Asia.”
On Being A Successful Leader
To learn more about the perspective of Samuel Ho on being an efficient leader, we inquired, “In your opinion, what qualities make a successful leader in your industry?”
“In my opinion, a successful leader in the finance industry requires one to have strategic vision and more broadly, the ability to recognize the strengths and weaknesses of their team members to empower and delegate individuals accordingly.
Successful leaders have a clear vision for the future of their organization, and they develop and articulate a strategic plan that aligns with the company’s goals and objectives. At the same time, they must also be able to be nimble and adapt their strategic vision to the ever-changing circumstances of the industry. In terms of empowerment and delegation, this is crucial in ensuring this strategic vision is met.
The finance industry is complex and technical, and no leader can achieve success alone. They must be able to recognize the qualities of their team members, empower and delegate accordingly to achieve the most out of each individual and the team as a whole. This way, everybody plays a critical role in ensuring the success of the organization in a meaningful way, and an inclusive workplace environment is fostered.” Samuel added.
Adapting To The Latest Developments, We asked Samuel Ho
We also wanted to learn more about how Samuel Ho’s comment adapts to the fresh market developments. So, we asked, “How has your organization responded to the ongoing digital revolution and tech-driven changes?”
Samuel Ho enthusiastically shared, “For our global subsidiaries, we have a team of in-house developers who develop cutting-edge trading platforms to provide our users with the best trading experience possible. The very first platform launched is called Vbrokers, the platform currently used by our Hong Kong entity. Through the years, the organization has built on this experience and continues to improve and enhance all our platforms to keep up with the ever-changing digital and technological landscape.”
He added, “In doing so, the organization strives to create value in developing markets where such technology has not been seen from a finance point of view. For example, Sahm Capital, the Saudi Arabian entity of our organization, has introduced a sleek and powerful trading application to the Saudi Arabian market. This has elevated the trading opportunities and experience for the local investors, and we have seen an overwhelmingly positive response in this regard. Overall, our organization has been and will continue to be committed to the digital revolution and technology.”
Advice For Startups
Lastly, seeking guidance for startups, we asked, “What advice would you give to someone just starting in your field?”
Sharing his insights, Samuel Ho asked, “For someone just starting, I would emphasize the importance of teamwork. First and foremost, teamwork is a transferable skill that one will carry with them no matter which rank, company, or industry they are in. By recognizing the importance and value of teamwork, one can foster relationships based on trust, respect, mutual understanding, and support.
Being able to work collaboratively with others means that one can build strong professional relationships, expand their network, and create a positive work environment conducive to productivity and engagement. I cannot emphasize enough the importance of teamwork, as this will lead to sustainability and longevity in one’s career in the finance industry.”
Follow Samuel Ho on LinkedIn.
Find Tickrs Financial Singapore on their website https://www.tickrs.com.sg
Also Read: Unlocking South East Asia’s Digital Potential – A Growth Story by Shahan Farid
