Member Q&A - Brenda You
Tell us about your career
I began my career at KPMG as an auditor and engaged in pre‑initial public offerings. I later joined Amicorp, where I went from an auditor crunching numbers to a cross-border structure advisor. Through Amicorp, I met colleagues from different continents and I travelled to offices in South Africa and India. Currently, I am the Director of family office at CreditEase Wealth Management. I am also one of the founding members and Branch Education Officer of the STEP China Committee (SCC).
What led you into the trusts and estates field?
Primarily, I served corporate clients and managed their offshore companies, funds and trust structures. A few years ago, the term ‘family office’ was introduced to the market in China and it was a promising and exciting field. I followed the shift to individual trust structures. It gave me a comprehensive understanding of trusts under the common-law system, as well as the civil-law system (such as in mainland China).
What made you join STEP?
I wanted to learn not only about trusts but also the whole picture of estate planning. I believe practitioners should have a qualification from an organisation such as STEP before advising clients.
What do you think makes a successful, trusted advisor?
A good advisor should be a knowledgeable person who can consider the pros and cons of every solution they provide. A trusted advisor should also listen, ask questions and find out what the client truly wants. They should not be afraid to raise the opposite opinion if it is to the benefit of the client.
What has been your greatest professional achievement?
Being one of the founding members of the SCC! Our committee consists of top professionals in China, including tax partners, law firm partners, university professors and the executives of trust companies. I am so honoured to work with these people.
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