1. Could you introduce CKLB and explain how the firm has evolved into a trusted regional provider of corporate fiduciary and financial services across Mauritius, Dubai, Seychelles, and Hong Kong?
This year marks our 27th year of operation as a corporate fiduciary firm in Mauritius. We obtained our license in 1998, when Mauritius was emerging as an international financial centre. After 15 years of professional experience in the UK and in the Channel Islands in accountancy firms and private banks, I returned home and established CKLB as a licensed fiduciary firm in Mauritius. Since then, we have grown into a fiduciary, private wealth, and estate-planning firm headquartered in Mauritius with offices in Seychelles, Hong Kong, and now Dubai; and a representative in Guernsey.
We remain a boutique firm and approximately 50% of the work we do is in the private wealth market, serving high-net-worth individuals and family offices worldwide. We support clients with estate and succession planning, provide the appropriate structures and develop long-term relationships.
The other half of our work focuses on corporate structuring and managing and administering those structures. Mauritius initially benefitted from its Double Taxation Avoidance Agreement with India, which positioned the jurisdiction as a gateway for India-bound investment in the early 1990s. Today, as Africa emerges, Mauritius is the natural gateway to the continent, much like Hong Kong was used to be for China.
CKLB has grown steadily while remaining selective and client-focused. Most of our business comes from referrals from our existing client base, and we continue to provide tailor-made solutions supported by a highly experienced team of professionals and experts.
2. CKLB has been operating in Mauritius for 27 years. How do you assess the country’s competitiveness as an international financial centre compared to other global structuring hubs?
Mauritius has many strengths. It initially benefitted greatly from the India treaty, which helped build the financial sector. Over time, the country developed a strong legal framework, robust regulation, and the capacity to compete with established financial centres such as Guernsey, Jersey, and the Isle of Man. Being a multilingual and multicultural country, Mauritius has a well-educated and highly qualified workforce with international exposure and experience. A lot of the industry people have attended UK and European universities with professional qualifications and have worked in financial centres around the World. They have come back to contribute and continue strengthening the Mauritius’ financial centre.
Mauritius has also adopted international norms set by the OECD, FATF, and other international bodies. It has largely stayed off greylists, which strengthens global confidence in the jurisdiction. Many DFIs, such as Proparco, CDC and the IFC, structure their investments into Africa through Mauritius-based structures, often requiring social impact components. These institutions have historically used Mauritius structures while investing with the private sector into Africa, thus enhancing the country’s credibility and high reputation.
The jurisdiction’s success rests mainly on its political and legal stability. The legal system is a hybrid system based on English common law and French Napoleonic Code. Corporate and individual investors have the ability to appeal to the UK Privy Council as the final Court of appeal. Mauritius is a tried-and-tested jurisdiction with a strong track record and a talent pool that understands both global practices and local context.
3. With your newly established office in Dubai, how does CKLB leverage the UAE's status as a global investment gateway to serve clients looking to structure or manage cross-border investment through Mauritius?
We established our Dubai presence primarily to service existing clients who were increasingly active in the UAE and the Middle East region. For many years, we operated in Dubai without a physical office. However, as client activities grew, it became essential to be on the ground.
Dubai is unique and you can sense the momentum as soon as you arrive. I have seen similar dynamics in places like Hong Kong and Brazil during their growth phases over the years. Dubai offers tremendous opportunity, both outbound and inbound, and we support clients structuring investments regionally and internationally.
In Dubai, structures can be set up both for investment outside the UAE and for investment within the UAE and the region. CKLB now has a dedicated team in Dubai to provide incorporation, management and administration, and cross-border structuring services, including tax optimisation where relevant.
Dubai will continue to grow, although the increasing costs of operating there is something to monitor.
4. Investors are increasingly seeking multi-jurisdictional solutions. How does CKLB coordinate between your Mauritius, Dubai, Seychelles, and Hong Kong offices to deliver seamless and compliant fiduciary and corporate services?
Each jurisdiction has its own regulations and advantages, and we design structures based on client objectives rather than on geography. Mauritius remains our central hub, but we engage each office depending on the nature of the transaction.
We have technical teams in each jurisdiction, small but highly specialised, who understand the local legal and regulatory frameworks. For cross-border structuring, we also work with trusted law firms and tax advisors locally.
If an overseas structure is required other than where we have a physical presence, we leverage on our global network to ensure it is as simple and seamless for the client. Once the structures are established, our “One-Stop Shop” solutions ensure ongoing management and administration across all jurisdictions.
Ultimately, it is really about helping the client to achieve his long term objectives while aligning the tax, legal, and logistical aspects and ensuring the highest level of compliance and client service.
5. The financial services industry is transforming rapidly with new regulations and digitalisation. What strategic innovations is CKLB adopting to enhance onboarding, governance, compliance, and reporting?
We work closely and personally with clients and this our close proximity facilitates our requirement in respect of KYC and compliance.
We recognise the potential of digitalisation and AI, and we have commissioned a team to explore how AI can help us, especially with repetitive administrative tasks. We are progressing cautiously.
AI can assist with certain standardised functions, like drafting minutes or managing documentation, but it cannot replace the human relationship element which is central to our private wealth work. High-net-worth clients and family offices need personal engagement and trust.
AI will eventually become essential in our industry, but it is not yet mature enough to handle the “soft side” of our business.
6. You work closely with investment funds, family offices, and multinational groups. What key trends are you seeing among investors, especially from the Middle East and Asia, regarding structuring in Mauritius?
Investors from the Middle East and Asia are increasingly looking at Africa as a major growth market. Mauritius continues to be the preferred jurisdiction for routing investments into Africa because the jurisdiction is experienced, reliable, and well-regarded by major banks, private equity firms, and DFIs.
For private clients, especially in the Middle East where Sharia law applies, Mauritius is attractive for estate and succession planning. Our common-law system and trust legislation make it possible to establish private family trusts that offer clarity and stability.
CKLB is among the very few firms in Mauritius that specialise in high-quality trust work of the standard historically seen in other well established trust jurisdictions. We focus on doing this well and always with strict compliance to protect the jurisdiction’s reputation.
7. As CEO, what are your priorities for strengthening CKLB’s regional footprint? Do you foresee expansion into new markets or service lines tailored to the Gulf or Africa?
We continue to expand our offerings in Africa as opportunities grow, supported by our existing structures and networks. In the Middle East, we already offer private family trusts, foundations, and corporate structures, and we help clients establish operations in Mauritius or even in African countries through our partners.
In terms of new jurisdictions, Singapore is attractive because of its growing base of high-net-worth individuals. However, for now, we are satisfied with our footprint. Expansion must always be evaluated through a cost-benefit lens.
Dubai is relatively expensive, while Mauritius remains cost-efficient yet highly sophisticated. Our aim is to maintain high standards of expertise, offer value, and grow where it makes strategic sense.
8. Finally, what message would you like to share with Khaleej Times readers about CKLB’s commitment to trust, innovation, and world-class fiduciary and corporate services?
I would say that CKLB is committed to providing high-quality, personalised solutions grounded in trust, experience, and strong governance. We operate in jurisdictions that offer stability, legal certainty, and efficiency. These qualities are essential for cross-border investment and private wealth planning.
We understand our clients, their families, and their long-term objectives. We combine international expertise with the cost-effectiveness and reliability of Mauritius as a jurisdiction.
For readers in the Gulf and beyond, our message is simple: we are here to support your growth, protect your legacy, and provide structures that stand the test of time in a rapidly changing global environment.
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