Scottish Financial Planner SCOTT MITCHELL relates how he stays active in every area of his life - as dad to three kids and holding key positions in charity, cultural, sports and music organisations.
TF: What does your job involve?
SM: As an ipac Financial Planner, I help people devise strategic plans to ensure they achieve financial freedom and also assist companies in arranging staff benefit schemes.
TF: What do you love about Singapore?
SM: The opportunities - especially in sports, arts and education. My 13-year old daughter Daisy attends the new School of the Arts (www.sota.edu.sg) and receives a full-time arts education, embedded with an International Baccalaureate programme. Singapore's the first country globally to offer such a curriculum for high school aged children.
My eight-year old son Noah studies in a local neighbourhood primary school and five-year old Bryce starts Primary 1 next year at the same school. My wife Audrey and I chose local schools for our children, as we believe the Singapore Primary education system is excellent. Plus, our children get the opportunity be immersed in Singaporean culture and learn Mandarin.
TF: Which organisations are you involved in?
SM: I was Chieftain of the Singapore St Andrews Society in 2010 which was great fun. I met many Singaporeans with a Scottish background, who studied in Scotland, or had an interest in Scottish traditions, such as playing the bagpipes.
I recently became President of the Scottish Business Association of Singapore. We provide platforms for individuals and companies with identifiable Scottish interests in Singapore to discuss and exchange ideas and information. We also promote the development of commerce and cultural exchange between Scotland and Singapore.
I'm also a sports commentator for the Asean Basketball League. This league is going places and the crowds throughout the region are rising every game. For fun, I'm in a band called Pure Mince. I have absolutely no musical talent, so I sing!
TF: Any memorable "dad" moments?
SM: My son Noah once said he wanted to do the same job as me when he grows up so we can go to work together. That got me. When all the kids were younger, I'd wake to find all five of us in the same bed - stuck in various nooks. Audrey and I would have sore necks for the rest of the day, but I do wish it still happened.
TF: Most memorable family trip?
SM: We recently adventured from Singapore to Bangkok by rail. We left on a Friday
and travelled overnight to Kuala Lumpur, changed trains and arrived in Butterworth, Penang on Saturday afternoon where we spent the night and set off again on Sunday afternoon for Bangkok. We arrived on Monday and spent two days exploring the city, taking in the river, Madame Tussauds, Hard Rock Café and plenty of other sights before flying back to Singapore. The train journey made the holiday very special, but don't book a private cabin. The beds are bigger in the second-class sleeper - and more comfy.
Get involved!
ASEAN Basketball League Expect high-performance sports action and family entertainment from the best professional basketball teams in South-East Asia. www.aseanbasketballleague.com
ipac is an international financial advice and investment group which helps you define your goals and understand the trade-offs you need to make, to achieve your long-term lifestyle and financial objectives. www.ipac.com.sg
Scottish Business Association of Singapore promotes and advances commercial interaction between businesses and professionals who enjoy an economic, educational, social or historical relationship with Scotland. www.sba.sg
Singapore St Andrews Society
is a charitable organisation which organises events and activities, proceeds of which are donated to local and international charities. www.standrewssociety.org.sg
Posted Jun 2011
