Blue Ocean Global Technology Interviews Jorge Sonville | Managing Partner at Savile Capital Group

Jorge Sonville is a Managing Partner at Savile Capital Group. As a seasoned wealth manager, he assists clients in navigating through the preservation and creation of wealth by creating portfolios tailored to their needs to plan through different economic cycles and challenges. With almost three decades of experience, Jorge has extensive expertise in financial planning and portfolio structuring. His deep understanding of international markets allows him to create diverse and robust investment plans. Jorge is committed to serving his clients with an open architecture and best-in-class custodial services, tailored to each family’s needs. Jorge holds a degree in Finance from the School of Management at Boston University. Fluent in English, Spanish, and Portuguese, he also holds FINRA Series 7, 63, and 65 licenses.

Blue Ocean: Please tell us a bit about yourself.

Jorge Sonville: I was born in Lima, Peru, and have lived in various countries growing up, which gave me a unique global perspective on various cultures. My family eventually settled in Portugal and I graduated from the American International School of Lisbon in 1990. I pursued my bachelor’s degree in business administration with a specialization in finance from Boston University. After graduating in 1994, my journey in finance began at Merrill Lynch in New York, where I spent 27 years and ultimately became a senior vice president there.

I founded the New York International Group to manage global families’ estates. In 2003, I moved to Miami to expand our presence in South Florida and Latin America, growing our assets under management to $2.1 billion. After the 2020 pandemic, I founded F1 Global Advisors to provide an independent, open-architecture approach to client service. A year later, I joined Savile Capital Group.

Apart from being an entrepreneur, a connoisseur in wealth management, and a husband, I am a proud father of three beautiful children. I enjoy playing tennis, golf, and boating with my family in my free time.

Blue Ocean: Tell us about your professional life. Why did you choose to work in the finance industry?

Jorge Sonville: After graduating from Boston University, I did two internships in wealth management. It made me realize I wanted to pursue a career in the finance industry. Having lived for 10 years both in the US and Europe, I wanted to extend my global network into my broker career. My professional life has been centered in Miami and New York, managing clients globally and I have always had my client’s best interests at heart.

Blue Ocean: How have you differentiated yourself and what underpins your success?

Jorge Sonville: I have always been a staunch believer in making commitments and standing by them. I believe in hard work and dedication towards my clients. I believe in living life to the fullest, both personally and professionally. My motivation to work hard drives me to continuously strive for success and the best outcome possible for my clients and my career.

Blue Ocean: What is something unique you offer your clients?

Jorge Sonville: The most unique thing I offer my clients is my best-in-class personal service tailored to each client according to their needs. This approach puts their priorities as my own, providing personalized services to each and every one of my clients. I believe this is the best way to achieve their goals and it acknowledges that every client’s needs are different, and there isn’t a one-size-fits-all approach to success.

Blue Ocean: What is an achievement in your personal or professional life that you are most proud of?

Jorge Sonville: On a personal level, being a father of three beautiful children. Professionally, my commitment to the wealth management career. The value of longevity is embedded in having generations of my clients trust me with their wealth. Managing the accounts of my older clients’ children is truly rewarding.

Blue Ocean: What advice would you give to young people aspiring to pursue finance?

Jorge Sonville: One advice I would give is that you have to be locked in and pay attention to the details. Look between the lines, and be diligent and disciplined with your work. The second would be to continue to stay in touch with the relevant developments in the finance industry. This can take you a long way, and help you adapt to the changes and developments accordingly.

Blue Ocean: What are your sources of inspiration?

Jorge Sonville: Success stories are a constant source of inspiration for me. I’ve seen businesses start from scratch and make their way up the ranks. It’s been rewarding to watch clients build their companies from the ground up and eventually make sales. Hard work is my biggest inspiration. I feel inspired when I see other people succeed.

Blue Ocean: Outside of work, what passions or interests do you pursue?

Jorge Sonville: Outside of work, I like tennis, golf, pádele boarding, and skiing. I try to keep the drive to stay active, so I do that by pursuing hobbies that keep my body moving. It’s not only good for your health but also good for stress to keep that balance between work and your health.

Blue Ocean: Please share your favorite quotation.

Jorge Sonville: The quote that really resonates with me is: “Don’t leave for tomorrow what you can do today.” When I think about it, I think it really reflects in my work ethic and how I approach my career. I always plan my day ahead, and it keeps me productive. So I really believe in this quote, to do what you need to do and not procrastinate.