CEO Insights Magazine

The latest market analysis indicates that the global Trust and Corporate Service Market will be $13539.7 million by 2027, registering a CAGR of 6.51 percent during the forecast period. The acknowledgeable leaders in this proliferous business today possess a unique blend of vision, determination, and the ability to inspire and motivate others, and foster business growth. Han-En Hans Chen, CEO of STRONGHOLD TRUSTEE, a Trust company approved by the Securities and Exchange Regulator of Cambodia (SERC or previously known as SECC) and the Trust Regulator (TR) is one such leader significantly contributing to this esteemed trust services industry.

Before joining Stronghold, Hans was an experienced relationship manager in Taiwan's banking industry, handling corporate clients by providing syndication, structure finance, and other financial solutions. Before being named the CEO of STRONGHOLD TRUSTEE in 2022, Hans played a key role in Stronghold's sales and business development, including sales activities, marketing, and product development. By focusing on communication with clients, Hans has been able to understand clients' demands, customize the right solutions to fulfill their various financial needs, and raise their awareness of using Trust. Let’s get to know more about him!

Could you give a brief account of your professional background and experiences? What is the motivation that fuels your daily routines?

I did my undergrad and my first graduate degree in Taiwan. My major was money and banking, which is my passion for the career. During studying in graduate school, I got a chance to go to the USA for an MBA degree and got a mentor with more than 30 years of banking experience to teach me everything. After graduation, I worked in a leasing company handling capital leasing and SME loans. However, I left the job in just a few months because the job was not suitable for me as a new graduate. I went to a bank to work as an assistant in the loan department handling syndication loans and structured loans and got promoted to manager in just three years.

However, my dream is to work abroad. I agreed immediately upon receiving the opportunity to come to work in Cambodia and with the job that fits my career passion. Joining there, at first I started as a sales manager to promote the Trust product to local and international markets. The industry is relatively new, and I also got some experience with trust when I was in school and bank. I also designed some products to fit not only individual clients but also corporate clients. And the results were quite well. After 1.5 years, I got promoted to CEO due to my profession and the skill to help the company to handle any situation.

About motivation, I am a person who desires accomplishment or achievements. I feel so well when I see my company growing daily and monthly. And that's the reason I keep going on. My passion is to achieve more things that I never did before.

How would you define STRONGHOLD TRUSTEE as an organization and its current position in the market?

Stronghold Trustee is one of Cambodia's leading licensed Trustee companies specializing in trust services, including Collective Investment Schemes and Personal and Commercial trusts tailored to your needs. We provide professionals in various industries and high-quality financial services to fulfill clients' needs and become a trusted financial STRONGHOLD for everyone.

Tell us about your leadership approach. What are the guidelines or methodologies you follow as a leader?

Communication is the best way to solve problems and help companies grow. I don't like the top-down management style. It kills employees' creativity and affects their career development. The position is just a name to me and means a different scope of work. Everyone can help to make some difference even though a new staff. I encourage my team to express their thoughts anytime and brainstorm with the team.

What are the major challenges you have encountered initially while establishing yourself as a successful leader? How did you overcome them to emerge as a successful professional?

In traditional Asian culture, it seems impossible that a CEO is a young guy who doesn't have more than 10 or 20 years of working experience, especially in the financial or banking sector. So, it's hard to educate the market or serve the client smoothly. However, I keep improving my expertise, public speaking, and other skills. People start to notice me, my company, and my services. And start to invite me to do speeches or be a panelist. Of course, I must keep improving my service to solve more complicated problems for clients to maintain or increase my reputation.

What is the future destination you are heading towards? Any advice you would like to give to budding industry leaders?

I consider myself a professional manager in Finance sector. I aim to be a group CEO of a banking and financial corporation and am paving the way for it. I will assist my group in achieving that goal.

The market doesn't need an experienced manager to manage everything but a leader to lead and build everything.

Han-En Hans Chen, CEO, Stronghold Trustee

Hans possesses two Master's degrees in the business sector. He earned an MBA from the University of Missouri at St. Louis and a Master's and Bachelor's degree in Money and Banking from the National Kaohsiung First University of Science and Technology. Professionally, he is experienced in Taiwan's banking industry, handling corporate clients by providing syndication, structure finance, and other financial solutions.

Hobbies: Reading finance-related books

Favorite travel destination: Chicago

Favorite cuisine: Japanese

Favorite Books: The Murphy’s Law

Awards & Recognition:

• Interviewed by Cambodia Investment Review on the topic of Trust

• Attended as a panelist during a panel discussion at the AmCham Trust event

• Interviewed by SET NEWS from Taiwan

• Attended as a panelist during a panel discussion at a Trust event arranged by the regulator

• Attended as a speaker at Trust conference arranged by the regulator

• Attended as a panelist during a panel discussion at property investment event arranged by CBRE Cambodia