My journey into expatriate financial services began long before my professional career, shaped by a childhood spent across continents, cultures, and communities. I was born in Neath, South Wales, a quiet town far removed from the international cities I would come to know later in life. When I was still a baby, my father’s work in the oil industry took our family to Bahrain, where we lived for seven formative years. It was there, surrounded by expats from all over the world, that I first experienced the lifestyle, community, and challenges that come with living abroad.
Looking back, that international start gave me more than just childhood memories; it introduced me to cultural awareness, adaptability, and a deep-rooted understanding of what it means to live outside your home country. It’s no coincidence that I’ve now built a career helping others do exactly that, but with clarity, confidence, and the right financial roadmap.
After our time in Bahrain, my family relocated to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, where I attended the Alice Smith School, one of Asia’s leading international schools. My classmates came from every corner of the world, and those years broadened my worldview in ways I wouldn’t fully grasp until much later. While I wasn’t thinking about financial systems back then, I was absorbing the realities of international living; the movement, the transitions, the sense of opportunity, and sometimes, uncertainty. Those early experiences helped shape the way I understand and relate to globally mobile clients today.
Building a Career in Financial Guidance, the Human Way
Returning to the UK in my early teens, I eventually entered the financial services industry in 2003. I began as a Mortgage Adviser, helping individuals and families make informed choices about one of the biggest financial decisions in their lives:, buying a home. In those early years, I worked with several well-known advisory firms and large building societies across the UK. These roles gave me a strong technical grounding in financial planning, and more importantly, an understanding of how to guide people through life’s financial transitions, from managing debt and building savings, to protecting loved ones with insurance.
But as I gained more experience, I also developed a conviction: great financial advice isn’t just about products or transactions. It’s about people. It’s about truly listening, understanding someone’s life, values, goals, and aspirations, then crafting a strategy that supports all of it.
That belief led me to become an Independent Financial Adviser in 2018. Free from corporate sales targets and product bias, I was able to focus on what really matters, providing holistic advice that puts clients first. As an IFA, I’ve built long-term relationships with people from all walks of life, guiding them through evolving financial landscapes and life stages with clarity and care.
In 2010, my connection to international living was reignited when both my brother and sister moved to Asia for work. Over the next decade, I visited them regularly, experiencing first-hand how the expatriate lifestyle had changed since my own childhood, and seeing how financial challenges often became more complex once borders were crossed. My brother eventually settled in Ho Chi Minh City, where he now lives with his family; my sister made her home in Sydney and is enjoying the lifestyle and culture.
After years of visiting and enjoying the lifestyle in Vietnam, I decided it was time to follow them east! In 2024, I looked to join Melbourne Capital Group, a firm known for its focus on expatriate clients and its expertise in cross-border financial advice. For me, it felt like a full-circle moment, combining a lifetime of international experience with more than two decades in financial services.
What makes Expat Financial Planning so Complex?
At Melbourne Capital Group, I work with expats and internationally mobile clients throughout Asia, helping them take control of their financial lives while living abroad. Whether you’re building wealth, protecting your family, moving countries, or preparing for retirement in another jurisdiction, I’m here to help you navigate the complexities.
For expats, traditional financial advice often falls short; you’re not just dealing with investment goals or retirement timelines. You’re juggling:
- Multiple tax regimes
- Cross-border pensions
- Currency risks
- Global family responsibilities
These are complicated issues that require specialist advice, my job is to simplify the complex, offering a clear path forward so that you can make informed, confident decisions no matter where life takes you.
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Bringing Clarity to Cross-Border Wealth Management
I believe that financial planning should always start with a conversation, not about products, but about your life. What matters to you? What are your long-term goals? What kind of lifestyle are you building? What legacy do you want to leave?
From there, I build a personalised, adaptable plan that reflects your values and evolves as your circumstances change. No jargon, no pressure — just honest advice built on integrity, technical knowledge, and mutual trust.
Each client I work with brings a unique story, set of priorities, and vision for the future. My role is to be your trusted partner, helping you make smart, informed decisions with confidence and peace of mind.
With over 20 years in financial services, a strong foundation in independent advice, and a lifelong connection to expatriate life, I’m proud to help globally minded individuals and families take control of their finances, no matter where they call home.
If any part of my story resonates with you, whether you’re navigating life abroad, planning for a move, or simply want greater clarity around your financial future — I’d love to connect. I’m Sam Harris, a Private Wealth Manager based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, working with expatriates and internationally mobile clients across Asia and beyond.
You can reach out to me directly via LinkedIn or email me at samharris@melbournecapitalgroup.com I look forward to hearing your story.
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