Self-sufficiency and purpose bubble strong in Kim Fournais. The chief executive of Saxo Bank made his mark as a pioneer of fintech, having set up an online trading platform in 1998, six years after he founded the company at the age of 26 with 70,000 euros in capital. Today, he heads a global firm with over 2,500 employees across major cities managing over US$100 billion (S$1.3 billion) in client assets. AIong the way, he learned how to pilot a turbo prop plane because he loves the freedom it affords as well as the efficiency of zipping his people around Europe.
The 57-year-old Dane is in Singapore on his bi-annual visit to the company's first office outside of Denmark. Sitting down with Prestige, he shares that he has been conducting a sustainable living experiment for the past two decades. "In 2005, I bought a small, 155ha island in Denmark and made it self-sustaining. There are wind turbines, solar cells, battery storage, regenerative farming. It's to show that sustainability can happen, that you can have wonderful nature, wonderful home-grown food and live a healthy and beautiful life in balance with nature," he says. The island is not financially sustainable yet - that's the trial part of the project - but he believes it's a model for what can be achieved, to rebalance the environment and create jobs.
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the December 2023 edition of Prestige Singapore.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Detox With A Side Of Botox?
Wellness hotels and resorts have always been more about stress relief and sensory indulgence than scans and stem cells, but a growing number are transforming into medical wellness destinations, with science-backed therapies accompanying typical spa offerings.
ELECTRIC LUXE
Mercedes-Benz combines advanced technology, personalisation and sustainability with its all-electric fleet to transform urban mobility in Singapore.
NO HOLDS BAR
Innovation is rife in Singapore’s competitive cocktail scene.
SADDLE UP
Saut Hermès 2024 puts the French luxury company's fine craftsmanship and savoir faire in its toughest arena yet the competition ring.
RHYTHM OF TIME
Adorned withfairies and ballerinas, these Poetry of Time timepieces by Van Cleef Arpel: mi the passage of the hours, minutes __and seconds, creating a meditative experience. The delicate figures h It of h f skilled work by the h i oe are the result of hours of skilled work by the house’s artisans, including gem-setters, enamellers and engravers. Beyond beauty on ne surface, mechanical movements drive their exceptional horological features, such as jumping hours and retrograde time-indicating hands. i
TRACING TREASURES
The Chanel Patrimoine is a space dedicated to the maison’s most precious fine jewellery and timepieces. Just as priceless are the stories embedded in each creation.
MISSION TO ASTONISH
Tiffany Co CEO ANTHONY LEDRU takes the brand back to its roots by reaffirming its position as a high jewellery heavyweight.
EX MACHINA
Established jewellery maisons continue to introduce technical breakthroughs in their collections while finding middle ground with age-old practices.
AMONG THE STARS
THERE'S PLENTY TO IN COUTURE TO CELEBRATE THIS SEASON, WHETHER IT'S HONOURING THE SALON, PAYING TRIBUTE TO PLAY OR HAVING THE BUTTON TAKE THE LEAD.
RISE & SHINE
In an intense sharing session with the high-flying women from SCCCI's Career Women's Group, Prestige uncovers the hidden levers of success.