Investment migration consultancy Latitude expands presence in Middle East
Specialist investment migration firm Latitude Consultancy has expanded its Middle East presence with the appointment of Lebanon-based advisor Marc Menard.
As part of a wider global push, the Jersey-headquartered Latitude Consulting – a leading firm in the investment migration space – has added former Henley & Partners Lebanon Managing Director Marc Menard as a Senior Director, Market Development Middle East & Africa. Menard will continue to be based out of Beirut while working with Latitude’s existing office in Dubai.
Partnered with financial services firm and fellow Channel Island denizens JTC, and sharing offices in 20 locations spanning the Americas, Caribbean, Europe, Asia and Africa, Latitude Consultancy is a residence and citizenship-by-investment advisory and professional services firm for affluent individuals with an additional line in policy advisory – aiding governments with the development of citizenship programmes.
Launched at the beginning of the year by former Henley & Partners Group CEO Eric B. Major, a 25-year veteran of the investment migration segment, Latitude effectively represents a Henley & Partners break-away, with experienced ex-Henley staff taking up key executive posts for Latitude across the globe. Continuing this trend, new appointee Menard has been with Henley for the past two and a half years.In his new role, Menard has been tasked with developing the firm’s growing Middle East and African market, leveraging his international network and global knowledge developed during a career spanning roles in the US, UK, France, Australia and Hong Kong – the latter where he set up the Asia branch of healthcare insurance consultancy Swiss Insurance Partners and served as Managing Director.
According to the consulting firm, Menard, who speaks both English and French and holds an MBA in finance and communications, is, with his international background and past three years spent in Lebanon, well-placed to “explain the many advantages of visa-free travel, enhanced mobility, safety, security and access to first-world education” for the firm’s wealthy clients, who are seeking support to navigate the often complex process of gaining entry into both the Middle East and migrating beyond it.
The United Arab Emirates for example is currently in the process of rolling out a range of policy reforms aimed at addressing a slumping local real estate market and attracting greater foreign investment, such as by introducing ten-year visas for investors and allowing 100 percent ownership in Dubai-based businesses. Meanwhile, the European Union over the past days has embarked on a tax clampdown of so called ‘Golden Passports’, with Malta and Cyprus placed on a blacklist.
As part of its ambitious expansion plans, Latitude has also welcomed Luciana Fernandez as a representative in São Paulo, and Sandra Woest to be based in Cape Town. “We are excited to be expanding our global footprint to help meet the growing demand for our specialised services in these key markets,” commented Latitude’s CEO. “The three individuals are very talented, knowledgeable and share the same set of values that Latitude embraces and instills within the company culture.”