Valerie Genin Mignone, Managing Director and Head of Investments at Barclays Private Bank Monaco, has been named Outstanding Individual of the Year at the prestigious Citywealth Powerwomen Awards International. The ceremony took place on 5th March at 12 Hay Hill, an exclusive private members’ club in London’s Mayfair, celebrating women who are making a significant impact in the finance and wealth sectors.
Genin Mignone’s leadership, strategic expertise, and extensive international experience in senior financial roles earned her this top accolade, as judges recognised her outstanding contributions to the industry. The Citywealth Powerwomen Awards, founded over 14 years ago by Karen Jones, CEO of Citywealth, spotlight individuals and companies that champion female leadership and career progression in finance.
The evening was hosted by the legendary Eve Pollard OBE, known as the First Lady of Fleet Street, who praised Karen Jones for breaking barriers in the finance world with the creation of Citywealth, a significant achievement for a woman 20 years ago. Held just days ahead of International Women’s Day, the event was a timely celebration of the progress women have made in the wealth sector.
Winners were chosen from a shortlist of over 100 candidates by an esteemed panel of 11 judges, all leading figures in the industry. The final results also incorporated an online public vote, independently verified for transparency.
The Citywealth Powerwomen Awards have expanded in recent years, with a sister event now taking place annually in New York at the Deutsche Bank building overlooking Central Park.
Plant lovers on the Riviera will be delighted as Parisian urban garden concept Plantes pour Tous returns to Nice this weekend, offering a wide selection of greenery starting from just €0.99.
The popular plant pop-up will take over the ground floor of Nice Etoile from 14th to 16th March, bringing affordable houseplants directly to city dwellers who often struggle with the high costs and inconvenient locations of traditional garden centres.
Founded by landscape architects Léo and Julien, Plantes pour Tous was born from a simple observation: “Plants are not easily accessible in the city”.
After years of touring French cities with their pop-up concept, the duo has established three permanent locations in Paris while continuing to bring their affordable plant selection to other urban centres across France.
The Nice event will run from 9am to 7pm on Friday and Saturday, closing slightly earlier at 5pm on Sunday 16th.
Tips for beginners
For those who are new to plant parenthood, Plantes pour Tous offers comprehensive care information for every variety they sell. Their website features detailed guides covering watering schedules, sunlight requirements, and soil preferences for each plant.
Taking customer support a step further, the company maintains an extensive YouTube channel with tutorial videos addressing common plant care challenges, ensuring even complete beginners can nurture their new green companions with confidence.
With plants starting from less than one euro and expert advice readily available, this weekend’s pop-up presents the perfect opportunity for both seasoned collectors and first-time plant owners to expand both their indoor and outdoor gardens.
The Riviera Marriott Hotel La Porte de Monaco in Cap d’Ail has been sold by Schroders Capital to Swiss-based Achernar Assets.
The four-star hotel, which sits on the border of Monaco and overlooks the harbour of Cap d’Ail, features 186 rooms, a restaurant, a bar, a swimming pool, and eight meeting rooms. It had been owned by Capital France Hotel, an investment vehicle managed by Schroders Capital, since 2008.
“In close collaboration with Marriott International, Schroders Capital implemented an operational and commercial repositioning strategy aimed at maximising the value of this asset for our client,” said Benjamin Chiche, deputy head of hotels at Schroders Capital, in a statement. “Today, we are proud to pass this hotel to a strategic player in the Port of Cap d’Ail, who will continue its development.”
Achernar Assets CEO Corrado Agusta said the acquisition marks “a key milestone” in the firm’s plans for the area. “We fully share the repositioning vision expressed by Benjamin Chiche and are convinced that this project will continue to enhance the attractiveness and competitiveness of the port in the long term,” he said. “We particularly appreciated the smooth and efficient collaboration with Marriott International and Schroders Capital throughout this transition, ensuring a seamless handover and optimal continuity for the hotel’s management, clients and partners.”
While the asking price was reportedly €85 million, the sales price remains undisclosed. The acquisition strengthens Achernar Assets’ presence in the Port of Cap d’Ail, where the firm has been increasing its investments in recent years.
In an exclusive interview with Monaco Life, Christian Buhlmann, the chairman of TrustConsult Group, shares his journey of building an independent, global advisory firm and how his company tackles modern security challenges for high-net-worth clients.
In an era where security and asset protection are increasingly under threat, particularly for high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs), ensuring financial stability across jurisdictions has become a critical concern. Monaco Life sat down with Christian Buhlmann, the chairman of TrustConsult Group, to learn more about the evolution of his company, the values that guide its global operations and its upcoming Global Threats on You and Your Assets security conference at the Fairmont Monte Carlo on 20th March.
Entrepreneurial journey
Christian Buhlmann, who has lived in Monaco for six years, founded TrustConsult Group in 2002 from his home in the Luxembourg countryside. His background includes an education in economics from HEC in Belgium, accounting qualifications in Luxembourg and further finance studies in Brussels. However, it was his early professional experience that shaped his entrepreneurial vision.
“I started my career 25 years ago at Intertrust in Luxembourg. That’s where I gained a strong foundation in the business and where I first saw the gaps in service quality that later inspired me to start my venture,” says Buhlmann.
The launch of TrustConsult was a pivotal moment, coinciding with the birth of his daughter.
“Starting the company was both a personal and professional milestone. It gave me clarity about the values I wanted to uphold, like independence and direct client engagement,” he explains.
Maintaining a personal, family-oriented approach remains important to Buhlmann.
“It’s always been an ambition of mine to create something lasting that my children could one day be a part of,” he says. “That’s why I’ve kept the business personal and close to its roots.”
Despite approaches from competitors over the years, TrustConsult has fiercely protected its independence.
“There were moments when competitors wanted to buy us out, but we knew that would compromise our values. Our independence is non-negotiable—it’s what defines our relationship with clients and our integrity as a company,” Buhlmann tells Monaco Life.
This independence shapes Buhlmann’s approach, with a focus on hiring people who value responsiveness and internationality.
“Being available and able to communicate across jurisdictions is fundamental to how I operate,” he says.
A discreet and personalised approach
With offices in Monaco, Luxembourg, Switzerland, Belgium and Hong Kong, TrustConsult Group specialises in creating, managing and administering both regulated and unregulated entities for private and institutional clients.
The TrustConsult Group office in Geneva. Photo supplied
“Our mission is simple: to protect and grow the wealth of our clients while offering them a level of service that’s personal, discreet, and efficient,” says Buhlmann of the company’s philosophy of strategic advisory over volume, where building genuine relationships takes precedence. “Our clients know who they’re speaking to and trust that we understand their needs.”
As the landscape of wealth management evolves, so do the risks. According to Buhlmann, personal security has now overtaken tax as one of the most pressing concerns for wealthy clients.
“The increased transparency in financial dealings has made individuals more vulnerable to sophisticated threats,” he warns.
He recalls an example from his own experience that reflects the importance of providing honest and upfront advice, saying, “I once had a client question how we could safeguard their assets, and I had to be direct about the risks they were facing. Sometimes, that level of honesty is necessary, even if it’s uncomfortable.”
It is this evolving threat landscape that has shaped the theme of TrustConsult’s upcoming conference on 20th March at the Fairmont Monte Carlo: Global Threats on You and Your Assets.
“People often underestimate the seriousness of these risks. Corporate threats are becoming increasingly sophisticated, as seen in the recent blackmail case involving Patek Philippe in Switzerland and crypto ransoms. It’s a clear example of how complex and dangerous these situations can be,” he explains.
Buhlmann also spotlights the importance of location when it comes to security and asset protection, pointing to Monaco’s appeal for investors.
“Monaco offers a great quality of life and a strong value proposition for investors with its security, stability and favourable taxation,” he notes.
However, he does acknowledge that there is room for growth: “There’s potential for Monaco’s financial services sector to further align with the responsiveness and expertise seen in hubs like Switzerland and Luxembourg.”
International clients, he says, expect consistent service standards across all jurisdictions.
The keys to lasting success
For Buhlmann, success is about long-term adaptability.
“It’s not about one milestone but continually reinventing to stay relevant,” he tells Monaco Life. “That’s what we’re doing with this upcoming conference—challenging ourselves and our understanding of security risks.”
TrustConsult’s small, long-standing board reflects this adaptability, enabling swift decisions.
“Agility is key. If something needs to be done, we can act overnight. Our clients expect us to move quickly and decisively,” says Buhlmann.
In a world that is becoming increasingly transparent, discretion is vital to TrustConsult’s operations.
“We maintain a minimal online presence and avoid cloud storage like iCloud, preferring old-fashioned methods to protect sensitive data,” he explains.
He also believes that lasting success comes from consistent effort and the ability to adapt.
“There’s a lot of talk today about how easy it is to make money with AI or social media, but I don’t believe in shortcuts. Success that lasts is always the result of hard work and constant evolution,” he says wisely.
Beyond business, Buhlmann sees personal success as finding satisfaction in the journey: “For me, success is about enjoying the process, facing challenges, and continuing to learn.”
Looking ahead
Among Buhlmann’s plans for the future is an expansion of TrustConsult’s services with the launch of TrustConsult Advisory in Switzerland, focusing on providing independent, tailored investment advice, a new development he shares exclusively with Monaco Life.
“Many of our clients aren’t receiving the advisory services they need, so we’re stepping in to offer solutions that go beyond what banks provide,” he says.
The expansion aligns with the themes of TrustConsult’s upcoming conference.
“We’ll begin by examining global security threats, then explore how individuals can protect their assets and personal safety. The third segment will cover structuring and holding assets, while the final part will focus on succession planning and involving the next generation,” explains Buhlmann.
For him, the conference is about more than business.
“Of course, we hope to generate new clients, but it’s also about raising awareness. People need to understand the risks they face and how to protect themselves. We want to contribute something meaningful and impactful,” he concludes.
Property technology – or PropTech – and the evolving role of AI in enhancing various aspects of the global real estate market, from property management and transactions to construction and urban development, were put in the spotlight at the fifth edition of the PropTech Symposia in Monaco earlier this week.
The event, which united 150 industry figures and leaders, as well as numerous online participants, was held at the Grimaldi Forum on Monday 10th March. It delved into the intersection of technology and real estate through the theme PropTech: Reinventing the Future of Real Estate and offered a fascinating exploration of the strategic impacts of AI on the global market, emerging economic models and transformative innovations that are reshaping the industry in an increasingly tech-focused era.
The day began with a thought-provoking address by Dominique Alba, General Director of Jean Nouvel Workshops, who discussed the integration of AI into architectural projects and urban design.
Later, panel discussions on the future of technology in real estate featured big industry names such as Ana Lozano Portillo, CEO of Nidus Lab, who explored how automation and generative AI are shaping real estate design; Brice Vandevoorde, CEO of Realiz, who spoke about the economic potential of tokenisation and AI; Jaime Luque, Professor at ESCP Business School, who analysed market trends and the impact of AI on investment; and Anas Bataw, Partner at Zacua Ventures, who highlighted AI’s potential to optimise urban development productivity and sustainability.
The symposium also served as the unveiling of the 2024 Global PropTech Barometer, a major publication developed by Monaco’s Cellule Économie Numérique, part of the Interministerial Delegation for Digital Transition, in conjunction with ESCP Business School. The 137-page report offers valuable insights into the future of PropTech as an industry in its own right.
In his opening remarks in the report, Frédéric Genta, the Monaco Government’s Delegate for Attractiveness and Digital Transition, notes, “With a global value of $643.9 trillion USD, real estate lies at the heart of major economic, ecological and technological transitions. In 2023, PropTech accelerated this transformation, attracting $47.94 billion USD in investments and achieving a growth rate of 13.78%.”
He continues, “Technologies such as AI, digital twins and tokenisation are redefining every stage of the real estate lifecycle, from building to living, making processes more efficient, sustainable and interconnected.”
Genta goes on to describe the Principality of Monaco as a “key player in driving innovation in digital real estate,” pointing to its status as a pioneering hub for urban innovation, its state-of-the-art digital infrastructure and its strategic partnerships with PropTech leaders and visionaries.
“The Principality of Monaco,” he writes, “with its ambitious vision of a smart city that blends innovation with digital excellence, offers an inspiring example of how PropTech can transform urban environments while preserving identity and attractiveness.”
For more information on the Global PropTech Barometer 2024, click here.
The Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation is set to host its first Road Safety Day later this month, an event promoting bicycle safety and core skills, in collaboration with partners such as the Monaco Red Cross, the Monaco Fire Department, BEKING and Monabike.
On Sunday 23rd March, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation will hold its inaugural Road Safety Day on the Promenade du Larvotto. The event, running from 10am to 5pm, will focus on bicycle road safety and encourage young people to engage in sports of all kinds through interactive workshops and educational experiences.
It will feature a road safety circuit designed to help participants practise and improve their cycling skills in a secure setting, road safety information stands, a pump track and a fun smoothie bike experience, where cyclists must harness their pedal power to turn a blender and create a juice.
A key highlight of the day will be the Bike Challenge. Reserved for six pre-formed teams comprising local sporting personalities and representatives from Monaco institutions, the challenge will see participants ride through Monaco for eight hours. The distance covered will be recorded, promoting both sustainable mobility and road safety in a competitive yet friendly setting. Visitors will also have a chance to test their own abilities in the Monabike Challenge.
Since its establishment in 2012, the Princess Charlene of Monaco Foundation has focused on drowning prevention programmes and promoting education through sports. Initiatives such as Learn to Swim and Water Safety aim to instill values of solidarity, respect and discipline among young people. The upcoming Road Safety Day is aligned with this mission, combining physical activity with awareness campaigns to enhance public understanding of road safety issues.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own bicycles and helmets to take part in the various activities. For more information, click here.
