CEO Insights Magazine

The financial services industry in the Philippines has been a cornerstone of the nation's economic development, fostering innovation, resilience, and progress in a dynamic and evolving global market. This sector has witnessed the rise of visionary leaders who continue to steer businesses towards financial inclusion and innovation. These leaders drive strategic growth, enabling companies and communities to thrive in an increasingly competitive landscape. Among such promising leaders is Paul Joseph Garcia (PJ), a figure making significant strides in the financial space. 

As the Principal and Managing Partner at Grow Capital Partners PH, a boutique finance and investment management firm, PJ is recognized as one of the most promising leaders in the Philippines’ financial sector. With over 25 years of rich expertise in financial advisory and investment management, PJ has become a trusted name in driving growth and value creation for companies and their stakeholders. PJ’s academic foundation, a Master of Science in Industrial Economics from the University of Asia and the Pacific, has equipped him with the analytical prowess and policy expertise required to excel in the competitive financial landscape.

In this interview, PJ shares valuable insights into his career journey and future of financial space in Philippines. Let’s read on. 

Could you share your leadership approach? What methodologies or guidelines do you follow to lead your team effectively? My leadership approach revolves around empowerment and development. I strive to ensure my team members aren't just following directives but are also given opportunities to enhance their skills and leadership potential. My goal is to keep them engaged and actively involved in their professional growth. To achieve this, I focus on mentoring and fostering open communication. Despite our busy schedules, I prioritize regular mentoring sessions and professional discussions, where we exchange ideas and talk about their career aspirations, whether short-term or long-term. Most of my team members belong to the Gen Z cohort, so they often require guidance on professional development, such as pursuing further studies or navigating their career paths.

A key aspect of my approach is building a highperformance team. For instance, during my tenure at ING as the head of the investment team, we started with just one member. Over time, the team grew to about 15, and I worked closely with them to develop their skills and leadership potential. Today, five of my former team members have become Chief Investment Officers (CIOs) at prominent local and international asset management firms.

How do you bring value to your customers? We offer investment advisory services to institutional clients such as NGOs, family offices, pension funds, and others. By acting as an outsourced Chief Investment Officer (CIO), we guide them in diversifying their investments across various asset classes, both local and global. We help them explore alternative assets like real estate, private credit, private equity, and hedge fund strategies, which often deliver better risk-adjusted returns than traditional public securities. Ultimately, my motivation lies in creating value, fostering financial inclusion, and driving growth for businesses and investors alike. This mission is what fuels me and keeps me excited to work with my team every day.

What is it that motivates your daily routine? The motivation behind my daily routine stems from the vision we had when we established this business. As a boutique firm, we aimed to provide specialized financial advisory and investment management services. One of the driving forces for me is the desire to support the development of SMEs (small and medium enterprises) in the Philippines. These businesses often struggle to secure growth funding, whether for working capital or capital expenditures. We help them raise capital and offer advisory services, particularly for mergers and acquisitions or finding strategic investors or partners to scale their operations.

In emerging markets like the Philippines, much like in India, SMEs often rely on private credit or non-bank funding sources due to limited access to traditional banking services. Local banks here typically focus on large corporations and some mid-sized companies, leaving SMEs underserved. Unfortunately, informal lending options come with high interest rates, adding financial strain. We tap into the private credit market, engaging family offices and institutional investors who provide funding for businesses that are below the radar of traditional banks.

What is your envisioned roadmap for the next five years? In the next five years, I aim to establish a new venture in the asset management space focused on financial inclusion. My goal is to develop accessible investment products tailored for low-income households in the Philippines, addressing the gaps in savings, investments, and financial literacy. By introducing micro-investing solutions, I hope to provide affordable options for those at the base of the economic pyramid, enabling them to participate in wealth creation and secure their financial future. This venture will focus on making investment opportunities more inclusive and impactful for underserved communities.

What advice would you give to upcoming leaders in the industry? My advice is to prioritize the common good by addressing gaps in financial accessibility. Focus on creating solutions that provide affordable capital to SMEs and entrepreneurs, helping them grow and thrive. Work towards democratizing funding and fostering financial inclusion, especially for underserved communities. Leverage FinTech as a key enabler to develop accessible financial products, including loans and investment options tailored for low-income households. Collaborate with policymakers and regulators to build an ecosystem that promotes equitable access to capital and investment opportunities, ultimately driving inclusive growth and financial literacy. Paul Joseph Garcia, Principal & Managing Partner, Grow Capital Partners PH With a mission to advance financial inclusion and innovation, Paul is committed to supporting the growth of the Fintech and investment management sectors in the Philippines. His dedication to providing comprehensive financial advisory services to medium and largesized Philippine companies has significantly contributed to the nation’s economic and social progress.