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 9,000+ 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 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
GLAMOUR AND BEYOND
PRESTIGE'S BEYOND THE HORIZON BALL PULLS OUT ALL THE STOPS.
RACING BULL
Lamborghini's breakthrough plug-in hybrid, the Revuelto, might be the supercar it needs to pull ahead in the electrification space race.
SYMPHONY OF THE SENSES
Prestige sits down with world-class pianist and Rolex Testimonee HÉLÈNE GRIMAUD as she shares her journey through sound and silence.
Tapestry of the Heart
Jaipur Rugs, which recently launched in Singapore, is one of India's largest manufacturers of hand-knotted rugs. Its secret commitment to a social mission of equality and empathy.
FJORDS, FREEDOM AND FINE FOOD
Oceania Cruises' Riviera will make its debut voyage to Alaska in 2025, bringing guests deep into the wilderness of America's northernmost state while delivering The Finest Cuisine at Sea.
LESSONS FROM THE LONG ROAD
An extended cruise from Vancouver to Tokyo proves that to go further and deeper, you sometimes have to slow down.
Checks and Balance
Louis Vuitton's latest fine jewellery range, Le Damier de Louis Vuitton, is inspired by the house's Damier check. Artistic director for watches and jewellery FRANCESCA AMFITHEATROF takes us through the process.
IN DAZZLING FORM
Powered by a new movement, the Asia Pacific exclusive editions of the Round Skeleton Baguette 31 editions by Franck Muller sparkle with baguette-cut diamonds or coloured precious gemstones.
A TIME FOR SQUARE
In October, Patek Philippe unveiled its first wholly new collection of timepieces in 25 years. Prestige Singapore was among the first in the world to see the Cubitus trio of timepieces and find out how they were created.
STILL THE ONE
With a distinctive design including an off-centre dial, outsize date and an asymmetrical layout, the Lange 1 stood out from the horological pack when it was launched in 1994. It continues to do so even today, three decades on.
