What Inspired Xavier's Move from IT in Belgium to Finance in Malaysia?

Hello! I'm Xavier, and I grew up in Thuin, a small town in the southern part of Belgium.  

From an early age, I began learning English alongside my native French by playing Dungeons & Dragons and other role-playing games that were not translated at the time.  

Although I graduated in Communications with aspirations of becoming a journalist, my career took a different path, and I found myself working in IT – first for IBM, then for various pharmaceutical companies, and finally for Swift, a Belgium-based financial services infrastructure provider.

After nine years at Swift’s Belgian headquarters, I seized the opportunity to relocate to Kuala Lumpur. I held several management roles there until a corporate restructuring left me with a choice: return to Belgium or leave the company.  

By 2022, I had already developed a deep affection for South-East Asia, so I decided to embark on a transformative journey, shifting my career focus towards the business side of financial services as a Financial Adviser. Through hard work and dedication, I completed the rigorous training and obtained the certifications required by the regional regulator, launching myself into this new role with renewed purpose and enthusiasm.  

I believe my extensive experience in managing diverse, multinational teams within fast-paced environments is a significant asset in this new endeavour. As I am relatively new to the advisory profession, I am currently studying to become a Chartered Financial Planner with the Chartered Insurance Institute. In addition, I bring a deep understanding of the financial services sector, developed over 15 years of experience working with a key infrastructure provider serving the entire industry. I primarily assist expatriates (though also local clients) in investing in secure offshore locations to achieve their financial goals, such as building a home, funding overseas education for their children, or preparing for a comfortable retirement.  

Driven by a desire to provide the best possible advice to my clients, I decided to join Melbourne Capital Group after a brief stint at another firm. The key factors in my decision were the company’s open and transparent culture, its commitment to building a strong and trustworthy brand with relatable values, and its dedication to genuinely supporting advisers in their daily work. Melbourne Capital Group stood out in the Malaysian market for its practical approach to supporting its advisers.  

Whatever the need, I am confident that, with the support of my professional network and highly skilled colleagues, I can find the right solution.  

In my spare time, I enjoy cooking for my loved ones, riding my adventure bike on the beautiful roads of Malaysia, or exploring the enchanting destinations across South-East Asia.

Connect with Xavier Blaise on LinkedIn to follow his work in the financial sector. For any inquiries, you can reach him via email.