Out of Africa

A wise man once wrote – ‘God laughs at all our plans.’ Obviously.

After more than twenty years of helping some of the best known companies and organisations in the world to engage and communicate better with their customers I had semi-retired and had formed and funded an NGO which was building and operating medical and educational facilities in South West Uganda. I loved the work we did, the lives we touched, and the impact that we were having in the communities in which we operated. It was hard, challenging and sometimes frustrating but it was where I wanted to be and what I believe that my God wanted me to do. I sometimes did a few days of consultancy work in Europe to add funds to the projects but I was sure that I would never live anywhere other than Uganda.

And then an old friend put me in contact with Asset Folio in Marbella. He told me that Asset Folio were a young company trying to do something very different in real estate investment in Southern Spain. They wanted some advice, some staff training, and they were more than happy to be criticised constructively to achieve their stated goals – exceptional client service, unrivalled reputation, and 100% client retention. I headed off to Spain from Uganda looking forward to the engagement, a break from grinding poverty, and the fees!

Three consultative visits and many hours of prayer later(!) I agreed to sign a full-time contract and relocate to Puerto Banus for the next three years. A combination of the exceptional opportunities for rewarding investment in the area, the unusually high business ethics of the owners, their obsession with exceeding client expectations in both terms of both investment returns and client service levels, and the potential of a young and dynamic team was a temptation that I could not resist.

And so, for the next three years, I will be acting as the General Manager of the Marbella Office and tasked with helping Asset Folio, its clients, its partners and its staff to fulfil their undoubted potential. Whilst I miss Uganda, and especially the children that we care for, I am wildly excited about introducing a level of professionalism, investment success, and client focus that just hasn’t been available in this part of the world. These are exciting times for Asset Folio, its clients and for me. 

To contact Jon to discuss his wonderful project in Uganda drop him an email http://www.assetfolio.com/team/member/22/