Team

Max Zu, CPA

Head Principal - Machalite Division

Education: Peking University, The University of Hong Kong, Oxford University Saïd Business School, The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, Harvard Business School.
Background: Investment Banking, Risk Management, Art Market Valuation, Offshore Banking Strategies, Tax Optimization for Art Assets, High-Value Asset Structuring, AI-Driven Art Market Analysis, Freeport Operations, Alternative Investment Strategies, Private Wealth Fund Leadership, Multilingual Networking (Mandarin, English, German, Japanese).
Location: Hong Kong (SAR), Australia, & France
Yearly Base Compensation: 1,760,000 USD

Performance Payout Ratio Bonus: 5.7%

Description

Max Zu is the renowned Head Principal of the Malachite Division and Chief Financial Officer at Quantum8 Technologies, where his mastery of art investment, financial engineering, and global asset strategies has established him as a leading authority in the alternative investment landscape. Known for his ability to bridge high finance with the intricacies of cultural capital, Max has transformed the Malachite Division into a powerhouse of discreet yet impactful art acquisitions, delivering exceptional returns and elevating the strategic importance of art as an asset class.

Max’s academic credentials are unparalleled, beginning with a Bachelor’s degree in Accounting and Financial Systems from Peking University, followed by a Master’s in Global Asset Strategy and Taxation from The University of Hong Kong. To refine his leadership and strategic expertise, Max completed the Global Chief Investment Officer Program at Oxford University’s Saïd Business School, focusing on cutting-edge financial modeling and asset management for emerging markets. Further advancing his knowledge in the art market, Max earned a certificate in Strategic Art Finance and Law from The Courtauld Institute of Art, London, one of the most prestigious art institutions globally, specializing in the legal frameworks and valuation complexities of high-value art assets.

Professionally, Max’s career began at Lehman Brothers, where he played a pivotal role in managing high-risk investment portfolios, gaining insights into global financial dynamics and alternative asset hedging. His tenure included spearheading initiatives to incorporate non-traditional investments, such as art, into multi-asset portfolios. After leaving the investment banking world, Max founded a Private Family Office and Wealth Fund, advising elite families across Asia and Europe on offshore banking strategies, tax-efficient asset structuring, and art acquisitions. Under his leadership, the fund consistently delivered market-beating returns while curating art collections of historical and cultural significance.

At the helm of the Malachite Division, Max has driven Quantum8’s strategic initiatives to acquire under-the-radar art pieces through both public and private channels. His efforts have focused on leveraging anonymous shell entities and international freeports, ensuring that Malachite’s holdings are both secure and tax-optimized. Max’s strategic vision also extends to artificial intelligence integration, using proprietary data models to analyze art market trends and provenance records, providing unmatched precision in acquisition decisions.

A globally respected thought leader, Max is a keynote speaker at prestigious forums, including the World Economic Forum’s Alternative Investment Summit, the Venice Biennale Investor Symposium, and the Art Basel Elite Collector’s Roundtable. His contributions to advancing the intersection of art, finance, and technology have earned him accolades from institutions such as the Royal Society of Arts and the Global Association of Wealth Management Professionals.

Fluent in Mandarin, English, German, and Japanese, Max’s multilingual proficiency and cultural adaptability enable him to cultivate relationships with top-tier auction houses, galleries, and private collectors worldwide. His exceptional ability to navigate the complexities of both emerging and established art markets ensures that the Malachite Division remains at the forefront of art investment innovation.
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Global Offices

  • Monte Carlo
  • Alaska
  • Victoria
  • Moscow
  • Marina Bay

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