deGruben.com is a personal website about entrepreneur Christopher de Gruben.
Contents
About deGruben.com
A website about Christopher de Gruben.
He came to Mongolia in 2005 to work in property development, specialised in marketing, became an accidental entrepreneur, launched a sandwich shop, currently learning to be a fire specialist but still always loving the challenge and excitement of working in developing countries.
Favourite Quote
It is not necessary to hope in order to undertake, nor to succeed in order to persevere.Charles the Bell.
About Chris de Gruben
Goal-orientated Financial Analyst and Manager, extremely versatile in Emerging Markets Environments and adept at originating and carrying through deals. Strong passion for ex-soviet transitioning economies. Specialists in a number of Industries within Mongolia in particular Real Estate and Tourism. Good language and interpersonal skills. A genuine desire to achieve, excel and evolve makes me fully committed to promoting businesses in Asia.
Academia
Oxford Brookes University Hons , Businesse Administration & Marketing , 2001 — 2005
I took a year abroad as part of an Erasmus Sandwich Course, this exchange was done with the Regensburg Fachoschule. Activities and Societies: Officer Training Corp, Cavalry Regiment, MTQ2
Fachhochschule Regensburg Erasmus Exchange , Business Studies , 2003 — 2004
Taken as part of an Erasmus sandwich course with Oxford Brookes University.
Malvern College (U.K)
International Baccalaureat , French, English, German, Economy, Biology, History, TOK , 1999 — 2001
Downside School (U.K)
GCSE's , 1996 — 1999
St Martin de France (Paris)
Secondary Schooling , 1992 — 1996
Lycee Francais de Moscou
Primary Schooling , 1990 — 1992
Lycee Francais de Varsovie
Primary Schooling , 1986 — 1989
Professional Career
Co-Founder, Sub'baatar Sandwiches December 2008 — Present
Sub'baatar sandwiches is a unique concept in Mongolia, we have taken the American chain Subway and adapted it to the Mongolian taste and environment, thus creating Mongolia's first and only dedicated sandwich shop.
Director - Marketing & Sales Eurofeu Asia (Ulaanbaatar) June 2008 — Present
Eurofeu Asia is the leading Fire safety and Equipment company in Mongolia.
While the company keeps going from strength to strength I was asked to help promote and guide the company to new levels, improve efciency and the quality of services as well as set up systems to co-ordinate the large network of agents and retailers in Mongolia.
C.E.O Mongolian Resorts December 2007 — June 2008
Mongolian Resorts is an APIP owned and Mongolia based operating company for a restaurant, a nightclub, a guesthouse, 2 coffee shops and an extensive Tour & Expeditions operation.
Under my management the company went from a loss making corporation to a protable company, I closed unprofitable ventures to reinvest into high potential businesses. Hired and trained a new management team. Introduced policies and practices. Redesigned and Integrated the websites with new content and components. Managed the client and internal logistical arm of APIP.
Director of Business Development, Asia Pacific Investment Partners January 2005 — June 2008
APIP is a Hong Kong based Venture Capital firm based in Ulaanbaatar currently operating over 6 companies and 10 businesses in Mongolia across a wide range of industry sectors. APIP currently manages assets worth in excess of 50 million USD.
As a business development director, my tasks were to find and analyze new business ventures, assist in the day to day running of the firm, source new clients and strengthen existing relationships.
Director - Marketing & Sales Mongolian Properties December 2006 — December 2007
Mongolian Properties is an wholly owned APIP company. Mongolian Properties is the largest property solution provider in Mongolia with Property Development, Construction, Management, Rental and Sales departments. In this position over 8 million USD worth of sales of Mongolian Real Estate were achieved to both private and institutional investors throughout the world.
As a target-driven sales manager, strong relationships were developed with various global institutions and Mongolian Properties was placed on the global investment map. It continues to enjoy a unique status in Mongolia with a near monopoly situation on the real estate market. I also oversaw the publication of comprehensive Real Estate Research documents and carried out due diligence requirements for client institutions.
Internship Fortis Bank (Honk Kong)June 2004 — September 2004
Doing a training Internship with Fortis Bank as a Bank Assurance Analyst gave me knowledge in the workings of a large bank. At the time my department was doing a merger with ICBC of China and I became involved in the due diligence process and the setting up of operations throughout the merger.
Internship, Shinsei Bank (Tokyo) June 2003 — September 2003
Being selected to undertake the Training Internship with Shinsei Bank as an Asset Backed Securities Analyst I spent 4 months in Tokyo doing financial due diligence and assessments on various companies and across a variety of sectors concentrating primarily on the aviation industry.
Internship, Accord Hotel Group June 2002 — September 2002
I was primarily assigned to the Novotel Peace Hotel in Beijing to carry out a Financial Management Internship looking at the financial dynamics of the hotel while trying to find way to maximize profits while maintaining a high level of service and facilities throughout. I was also teaching English to various staff members and assisting in the Front of House management.
Internship, Puilaetco Deewaay (Brussels) July 2001 — September 2001
A 2 months University Sponsored Internship with Puillaetco Deewaay Private Bankers gave me the opportunity to witness client interaction, account opening and closing procedures and become familiar with private banking products and their various merits.
Investments
Property Investments
The Mongolian Property Market has gone through a very high rise in prices over the past 5 years. This has been fueled by speculations in the mining industry as well as a general lack of supply of newly built property. Foreign Investors are free to own freehold property in their own names with no need for partnerships with a Mongolian entity. Property taxes are generally low and the property protection laws are in place to safeguard your investment. Rental yields are still high (on average 13%) and strong demand for decent rental properties is expected over the next few years as the mining industry picks up pace.
Over the last few years, I have taken advantage of the rise in property prices, the low taxes and the friendly foreign investment environment to purchase a number of residential properties. I currently fully own a number of apartments within the Ulaanbaatar city center. These are currently available for either rental or for purchase.
Please visit my site directly for more information about the property investments I have made.
Mad and Dysfunctional Entreprises
Mad Entreprises is a small consulting firm. Incorporated in Mongolia in 2008 with myself owning 75% of its shares.
It was started to help foreign companies get established in Mongolia as well as assist Mongolian Companies in their International Business Development. Mad Entreprises quickly grew to also include advisory services about various small investments in Mongolia and a showcase for the best investments of the moment. It is hoped in the future to be able to develop it as a platform for mongolians to upload their investments and business plans for investors to see and compare.
Please visit my site directly for more information about MAD.
Recent Articles
Is Mongolia Now Open for Business?
The Mongolian Property Boom v2.0
New President, New Opportunities?
Social Networking
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