Comments for Smog's Blog

Comment on Meyado / Meretec / MITL / Martin Young – A Cautionary Tale by smog

smog — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:55:15 +0000

I understand that the further proceedings mentioned are simply procedural, allowing the continued activities of the liquidator in winding Meretec up. However, I also understand that this is independent of the forensic investigations which are ongoing, so we live in hope that these may produce something. As before, I encourage people to send any evidence they have to the Forespoke people – I believe that the forensic investigators are watching that site to make sure they have all the relevant information.

Comment on iTunes Political Correctness Gone Mad by Phil

Phil — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:44:51 +0000

the political loons are trying to close down any expression of our ‘human-ness’ ! This is crazy, what’s next on their list ?

Comment on Real ale, or the lack thereof by smog

smog — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 16:15:14 +0000

Thanks for the recommendation – some mates & I gave it a try tonight and came a decent second. We liked the format, but were really quite surprised to find an entry fee (does any other pub quiz in town have that?) and an almost complete lack of prizes. Even the lowest team at The Wheel’s quiz, for example, gets some beer mugs or a bottle of wine – and that’s what the winners got at Trafalgar (with no-one else getting anything).

Comment on Real ale, or the lack thereof by K

Sun, 22 Nov 2009 10:59:44 +0000

Sam lived and worked in London for many years so definitely knows his ale! If you enjoyed the Trafalgar beer selection, I can highly recommend the pub quiz on a Tuesday night.

Comment on Meyado / Meretec / MITL / Martin Young – A Cautionary Tale by Big J

Big J — Thu, 19 Nov 2009 14:05:17 +0000

I use to work for Meyado in Frankfurt. Some of the stuff mentioned above I’ve heard before. However, Martin’s father used to be in the army, I’d even met him once.
I believe Martin used to work with another brit at Finexco in Frankfurt in ‘92/’93. Unfortunately I cannot remember his name. If you could find this former colleague, I’m sure he could confirmed some of Martins back ground. He and Martin Young did not part on friendly terms, so I’m sure he would be happy to help.

Comment on Meyado / Meretec / MITL / Martin Young – A Cautionary Tale by Sing Sling

Sing Sling — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 09:01:26 +0000

Martin Young is very careful to avoid having his profile and background shared. Neither the Meyado, nor the now defunct Meretec website have any details about the owner, driver and chairman of the company. Strange for a company claiming to be a global leader in expatriate wealth management…

Same again with Martin Young’s picture. There are few pictures of the mysterious man.

Here is a small picture of Martin Young for your reference. If you come across the man, please spit on his face on my behalf. http://www.guardspoloclub.com/files/player_images/790/1513_small.JPG?1251388248

Comment on A toady comes visiting by smog

smog — Wed, 18 Nov 2009 02:59:11 +0000

The public interest seems to have been piqued by this post, judging by the number of searches for “Toady O’Grady” which are bringing people here, so I’ve done a little more research for the benefit of my readers.

Mr O’Grady’s LinkedIn entry makes a point of telling us that between 1989 and 1992 he actually worked on a project that made a profit. The fact that this is apparently noteworthy (and rare) does tend to highlight a career spent working largely in places where corruption and cronyism are the rule (Saudi Arabia, Nigeria, Malaysia, Thailand, Hong Kong). So the name which people are Googling for “Toady O’Grady” does indeed seem appropriate.

Comment on Meyado / Meretec / MITL / Martin Young – A Cautionary Tale by smog

smog — Tue, 17 Nov 2009 05:18:47 +0000

I find this comment on another blog post to be most informative: "If you all want to know who Martin Young realy is I can tell you as I knew him a long time back. He is the son of a Milton Keynes fireman and grew up in a council house in Bletchley. He did do a short stint with the Blues and Royals but was no officer. He then started as an Estate Agent in Milton Keynes before moving to Germany to be a car salesman. He was never a stockbroker. He started with Finexco in Frankfurt in 92 and quickley started to morph into the what he is today. Martin understand that if he can devide you he can dominate you. One of the oldest sales tricks in the book. Martins soft spot is his massive ego so if you want to get to him go for unvailing the story. he is no blue blood but a Milton Keynes estate boy who learned that a plummy voice can take you a long way."

Comment on A toady comes visiting by smog

smog — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 14:40:49 +0000

Maybe – I was rather surprised, and somewhat amused, to read in an article by one Amy Nip in the SCMP on Sunday that said (referring to the turnout at some glitzy wedding reception):

“Other high-profile guests included Bank of East Asia chairman David Li Kwok-po and HSBC Asia-Pacific chairman Vincent Cheng Hoi-chuen.

They were joined by entertainment mogul Albert Yeung Sau-shing, Lan Kwai Fong entertainment magnate Allen Zeman and toy tycoon Francis Choi Chi-ming.

The wedding was easily one of the biggest social events in the city since Lee Shau-kee’s son, Martin Lee Ka-shing, married actress Cathy Chui Chi-kay. Or perhaps when shipping heir Julian Hui Chun-hang married former beauty queen Michele Reis. The two celebrity wives – Chui and Reis – appeared in elegant gowns.

And where there are property tycoons, government officials can’t be far behind. Constitutional affairs chief Stephen Lam Sui-lung made an appearance, as did Executive Council convenor Leung Chun-ying, former police chief Tsang Yam-pui and former financial secretary Antony Leung Kam-chung.”

So it’s good to see that there are some journos at the SCMP who have a sense of humour about who’s really running this city.

Comment on Real ale, or the lack thereof by smog

smog — Mon, 16 Nov 2009 12:57:45 +0000

Yes, true. And all of the other El Grande places as well. But the range of British (I guess I mean English) Ales is quite small – they have more Belgian and US beers.

In fact looking at the menu: http://www.elgrande.com.hk/outlets/dir_attachments/21_0.pdf
They have 8 from England & Scotland, 14 from the US, and 26 from Belgium.