Leon Mao
About Leon Mao
Leon Mao serves as the Head of Advisory and Managing Director for North Asia at Vistra, where he leads client service delivery and technical services teams. He has extensive experience in offshore law, trust structuring, and regulatory compliance, having held various legal and advisory roles throughout his career.
Current Role at Vistra
Leon Mao serves as the Head of Advisory and Managing Director for North Asia at Vistra. In this role, he leads the Client Service Delivery and Technical Services teams, ensuring premium service support for clients, corporates, and entities across the North Asia region. His leadership focuses on enhancing client experiences and delivering effective advisory services.
Previous Experience at Vistra
Prior to his current position, Leon Mao held multiple roles at Vistra. He was the Head of Technical and Regulatory Services and Executive Director for Asia and the Middle East from 2019 to 2020. He then transitioned to the role of Head of Technical and Service Delivery, where he served as Managing Director for North Asia from 2020 to 2022. His tenure at Vistra has been marked by a commitment to client service and technical excellence.
Educational Background
Leon Mao has a robust educational background in law and international relations. He earned a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) in International Relations from The University of Queensland. He also obtained a Master of Philosophy (M.Phil.) in International Law and Legal Studies from Griffith University. Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Technology Sydney.
Legal and Advisory Expertise
Leon Mao possesses extensive experience in offshore law and offshore trust structuring. He specializes in litigation, regulatory compliance, and internal group risk advice. His professional qualifications include a current practising certificate as a Solicitor of the BVI Eastern Caribbean Supreme Court and non-practising registrations in multiple jurisdictions, including England and Wales, Hong Kong, and New South Wales, Australia. He is also a Trust and Estate Practitioner.
Professional History
Leon Mao has held various significant positions throughout his career. He worked as Counsel and Solicitor at Appleby from 1996 to 2006 and served as a Partner and Solicitor at Harneys from 2006 to 2010. He was also the Head of Trusts and Inhouse Counsel at First Advisory Group from 2012 to 2016. Additionally, he contributed to legal education as a Lecturer in Law at Caritas Internationalis from 1993 to 1995.