Wealth manager masters the art of providing clarity and delivering growth for clients
LH Koh, head of UBS’ family and institutional wealth in Asia-Pacific, says painting inspires calm, thoughtful approach to help build trust
What do a wealth management professional covering the burgeoning Asian region and a painter have in common? For LH Koh, it involves staying grounded.
Koh, head of global family and institutional wealth for Asia-Pacific at UBS – the Swiss financial services company which is consistently ranked as the world’s largest – believes that guiding the region’s most sophisticated families and institutions requires more than market expertise. It calls for clarity of thinking, deep understanding of client objectives and the ability to bring together the full breadth of UBS’ capabilities in a coordinated way.
“In Asia, this human connection is particularly important because decisions are often shaped not just by financial considerations, but by family, legacy and shared values,” he says. “Taking the time to understand those dimensions – and showing real respect for the client’s world – is what turns a professional interaction into a trusted, long-term partnership.”
This region is defined by rapid changes, complex cross-border considerations and unexpected challenges. For Koh, being able to stay level-headed, calm and balanced allows him to support families, family offices and institutional clients so that they can navigate uncertainty and make informed decisions.
He works with ultra-high-net-worth individuals typically with fortunes of about US$30 million in liquid assets, so understands the importance of being organised, thinking clearly and effectively – and building strong teams.
This is where his passion for painting helps him. He uses it for keeping himself grounded and inspiring his creativity. He considers it much more than simply a hobby; it forms a central part of his business ethic. It is how he maintains clarity and composure, and also reinforces his patient and deliberate mindset as he successfully guides his clients through complex decision-making in today’s increasingly unpredictable landscape.
“My craft is building trust through passion and deep understanding,” he says. “Many of the families I advise are deeply passionate about the arts, and to better appreciate the world, I began to learn how to draw and paint.
Koh, both as a wealth management professional and an artist, knows what it takes to stay focused without losing sight of the big picture.
“Attention to detail really does matter, especially when you’re dealing with complex needs across clients, families, family offices and their businesses,” he says. “Knowledge and competence are critical in helping them navigate complexity and finding the right solutions to achieve their financial objectives.”
Koh recognises that different generations have different perspectives and priorities – and that trust must continuously evolve alongside changing family dynamics. He says painting, which “isn’t separate from my work”, helps him to evolve. It serves as a creative outlet that gives his “brain a chance to reset”.
“That sense of flow brings clarity,” he says. “It reinforces something essential – you can’t rush the process.”
He aims to connect his clients to the right solutions, research and expertise across markets through access to “the best of UBS”, he says.
“Bringing these resources and capabilities together in a coordinated way allows clients and their family offices to move forward with clarity and confidence towards their long-term goals,” he says.
Koh regards painting as an art – and his work as a craft, which involves taking the time to understand the story behind every decision.
A core brand philosophy championed by UBS is that “there’s a story behind every number”, which highlights how managing investments is not just about finances and figures but also about people, legacies and futures, Koh says.
“That means combining professional competency with genuine interests in what truly matters to my clients – [such as] what inspires them [and] what drives their decisions – making sure that every choice is deliberate because today’s precision shapes tomorrow’s legacies,” he says.
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