NEW YORK, US – ACCESSWIRE – 14 September 2021 – Focus Financial Partners Inc. (NASDAQ:FOCS) (“Focus”), a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms, announced today that Connectus Wealth Advisers (“Connectus”) has entered into a definitive agreement under which NorthCoast Asset Management LLC (“NorthCoast”), a registered investment adviser located in Greenwich, CT, will join Connectus. This transaction is expected to close in the fourth quarter of 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

NorthCoast was founded in 1988 and specializes in providing proprietary investment management services that are based on quantitative research, a systematic investment process, and a rigorous approach to risk management. NorthCoast works with both private and institutional clients and complements its financial planning expertise with an extensive range of proprietary investment solutions, including its CAN SLIM® investment program that focuses on capital appreciation with downside protection, and alternative strategies to hedge downside risk when diversifying concentrated stock positions.

“We are thrilled to be joining Connectus,” said Dan Kraninger, NorthCoast’s President and CEO. “Becoming part of a global consortium is an exciting new phase for our firm. We are looking forward to leveraging the benefits of Connectus to better serve our clients, support our growth, and bolster our operations.”

“Connectus is the ideal strategic partner with a strong cultural fit who would preserve the independence of our investment process and provide strategic support. We will continue to evolve our differentiated investment strategies and introduce our capabilities to a wider audience of firms and their clients. Connectus will also greatly expand the technology, tools and resources available to us to enhance our client outcomes,” added Patrick Jamin, NorthCoast’s CIO.

“The NorthCoast team is an excellent addition to Connectus, and marks a milestone as the 10th firm that has agreed to join Connectus’ global consortium in less than a year,” said Rajini Kodialam, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Focus. “NorthCoast provides Connectus with a unique set of investment management capabilities and substantially expands Connectus’ footprint in the United States. This transaction is further affirmation of Connectus’ appeal to a broad range of wealth management firms, both domestically and abroad. The Connectus model is an outstanding example of how we are leveraging our scale and expertise to help wealth management advisers better serve their clients, optimize their efficiency and accelerate their growth.”

Berkshire Global Advisors, a New York City-based M&A advisory firm, served as financial advisor to NorthCoast for this transaction.

About Focus Financial Partners Inc.

Focus Financial Partners Inc. is a leading partnership of independent, fiduciary wealth management firms. Focus provides access to best practices, resources, and continuity planning for its partner firms who serve individuals, families, employers and institutions with comprehensive wealth management services. Focus partner firms maintain their operational independence, while they benefit from the synergies, scale, economics and best practices offered by Focus to achieve their business objectives. For more information about Focus, please visit www.focusfinancialpartners.com.

#FocusFinancialPartners

About Connectus Wealth Advisers

Connectus is a global consortium of client-centric advisers that deliver comprehensive wealth management advice through access to expanded services, shared resources and best practices. Connectus exemplifies the spirit of partnership and collaboration, yet celebrates the entrepreneurial mind-set of its advisers. Connectus is designed for founders and teams who want to continue to manage their client relationships and maintain their boutique cultures, while gaining the operational efficiencies of shared infrastructure and access to expanded client service capabilities.

Through Focus, Connectus advisers gain a strategic growth partner with specialized expertise. They benefit from Focus’ scale and extensive network, continuity planning, insights and best practices. Focus is also a source of permanent capital to accelerate growth and enhance business and client outcomes. For more information, please visit www.connectuswealth.com.

Cautionary Note Concerning Forward-Looking Statements
This release contains certain forward-looking statements that reflect Focus’ current views with respect to certain current and future events. These forward-looking statements are and will be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to Focus’ operations and business environment, including, without limitation, uncertainty surrounding the current COVID-19 pandemic, which may cause future events to be materially different from these forward-looking statements or anything implied therein. Any forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Focus on the date of this release. Focus does not undertake to publicly update or revise its forward-looking statements even if experience or future changes make it clear that any statements expressed or implied therein will not be realized. Additional information on risk factors that could affect Focus may be found in Focus’ filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Series A Funding Completed to Fuel Growth in Coding Education Company Aims to Cultivate Future Global Talents, Build Coding as Universal Language

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 September 2021 – Preface, the Hong Kong-based EdTech company, has announced the completion of its Series A funding from prominent investor Sunlink Holdings (H.K.) Limited.  Preface aims to tackle the issues raised by Hong Kong’s traditional education model, cultivate future global talents and promote coding as the world’s universal language, facilitating Hong Kong to strengthen its connection with the world.

   Tommie Lo (front row, second left), Founder and CEO of Preface, and the Management Team 

The global EdTech industry is worth more than US$100 billion. It is expected that the number of people learning coding in Hong Kong will reach one million in the coming five years^[1]. Despite the impact of the ongoing pandemic, Preface has seen a continued improvement in its performance, with year-on-year revenue growth of 500% over the past 12 months under its unique “Decentralised Classroom” delivery model, highlighting the growing momentum.

Tommie Lo, Founder and CEO of Preface, said: “Coding is the foundation for all kinds of modern technology and will become the universal language of the future. Trusted by Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UNESCO in the provision of programming education, Preface offers award-winning programming curricula to global academia and leading multinational corporations. Through the high-mobility classroom model we are initiating, coding education has been rapidly popularising in Hong Kong. Our goal is to equip future talents in Hong Kong and around the world with this key language.”

“We are very excited to support Preface in its Series A round of funding. In the digital transformation era, education has become one of the fastest-changing landscapes and we see enormous potential for the business. We trust that a forward-looking company like Preface can revolutionise the education industry through their innovative approach,” said Angus Chan, COO and CFO of Sunlink Holdings (H.K.) Limited.

With the digitisation of society, cultivating global coding talents has become the responsibility of education

A study^[2] indicates that over 64% of international companies and 51% of small and medium-sized enterprises in Hong Kong have encountered difficulties in hiring innovative and technological talents. Nearly 80% of Hong Kong companies need to strengthen the development of artificial intelligence (AI) and related professional knowledge for their employees, showing that there is significant demand for training courses.

“Hong Kong is in danger of falling behind the rapid growth in technology globally. Nearly 30 countries around the world have included coding education as compulsory courses to enhance their international competitiveness. However, Hong Kong’s education is limited by its traditional framework, with coding education still being regarded as extracurricular study rather than a core education subject. Hong Kong’s students will lag behind in the digital world which will reduce their competitiveness in the market,” Tommie explained.

As the first Asian teaching platform to win an award at “EdTech Summit in Europe”, the world’s largest education process programme, Preface Coding by Preface is committed to nurturing talents and cooperating with universities around the world, such as MIT and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). Preface has also designed official coding courses for top-ranked universities in Hong Kong and co-organised seminars and workshops with multinational technology companies and non-profit organisations. Preface has now trained more than 10,000 students around the world.

Decentralised Classroom – solving issues raised by the traditional education model and fuelling innovation technology

Preface’s innovative teaching concept provides a solution to tackle issues raised by the traditional education model. Its “Decentralised Classroom” delivery model emphasises that students can learn from daily life, and that education should not be restricted by time and place. Students from Preface are able to choose how and where to attend coding courses as they prefer, receiving teaching materials according to real-time analysis and being matched with teachers through AI technology.

The traditional education model is limited in its approach. Hong Kong, for example, is still using the “one-to-many” classroom design that is an outmoded education concept from the 19th century. Preface believes that future education should no longer be restricted to one-way delivery; rather, the learning and teaching process require innovation to ensure that the ultimate goal of education – teaching students in accordance with their aptitude – can be achieved.

Preface will use the latest round of funding to further develop its business in major cities including Hong Kong, Tokyo and London, with a determination to popularise coding knowledge and make it a universal language. The company aims to equip the new generation with this key language for a better future.

About Preface

Founded with a vision that personalised education is for all, EdTech company Preface is committed to liberate knowledge and promote coding as the future’s universal language. As an award-winning coding education company , Preface reshapes both the teaching and learning experience by providing personalised classes. Our businesses are across Hong Kong, Tokyo and London, with a focus on the coding education platform Preface Coding and F&B and lifestyle concept space Preface Coffee & Wine. Stay up to date at www.preface.ai

About Preface Coding

Preface Coding by Preface specialises in delivering personalised coding courses. Powered by an artificial intelligence (AI) data analysis system and teacher-student matching technology, Preface provides tailor-made course materials to teach students in accordance with their aptitude. Adhering to the concept of breaking the inherent framework of traditional classrooms, we are committed to introducing award-winning coding curricula and training for MNCs, academia, secondary and primary schools in Hong Kong. Our programs are trusted by authoritative international institutions such as Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and UNESCO.

About Preface Coffee & Wine

Preface Coffee & Wine by Preface is an F&B and lifestyle concept space that brings together a quality coffee and wine store with a free learning space, where customers can enjoy quality food and beverages and learn about knowledge related to technology and coding at the same time. The space also hosts regular seminars and exhibitions about science and technology with international companies and organisations from different industries. The concept space is currently located in Tin Hau and Central. A flagship store in Causeway Bay opens later in 2021 Quarter 4.

High-resolution images are downloadable here.

#Preface

HONG KONG SAR – Media OutReach – 14 September 2021 – Mid-Autumn Festival is around the corner and you may have to figure out the ideal gifts for your family members, relatives, friends, clients, or your loved one, which takes a toll on your mind and body. At the moment when festive gift sales are booming, Give Gift Boutique promotes the top 5 mid-autumn hampers which have gained high reviews by customers to help you solve the gifting problem. In addition, Give Gift Boutique also provides an intelligent ordering system for instant gift ordering, and it supports consumption vouchers, making it easy for you to send perfect gifts to the people you appreciate.

5 Hottest Hampers To Commence the Joyous Festival

A well-received gift must be a desirable gift. Thus, Give Gift Boutique has picked the hottest 5 hampers with exquisite packaging and desirable gifts, including the best fruit of the globe and the mooncakes with superior quality, and some hampers even contain other hottest gifts over the world. Thus these wonderful hampers will impress your recipients.

Mid Autumn Fruit Hamper M18

1.Mid Autumn Fruit Collection(about 12-16pcs)(weight about 7KG/15LB)

• Pomelo
• Japanese Aomori Apple
• Korean Crystal Pear
• Kiwi fruit in box
• Imported Grape/ imported fruit in box
• Dragon fruit
• Large Mango/ star fruit
• Orange/ grapefruit
• Guava/ pear
• Fuji Apple

2.Hotel Peninsula Mid-Autumn Egg Custard Mooncakes Gift Box

3.Mid-Autumn Man-made leather rectanglar gift box

Price: $920 HKD

Michelin Star Reign Mooncake Garden Style Fruit Hamper MR08

1.Festival Fresh Fruit (about 10-14pcs)(weight about 5KG/11LB)

• Korean Green House Muskmelon
• Japanese Aomori Apple X2
• Korean Crystal Pear
• Imported Fruit in Box
• Tianjin Pear/Pear
• Fuji Apple
• Orange/Grapefruit

2.Michelin Star Reign Caviar Egg Custard Mooncakes 4pcs

3.Godiva Chocolatier cacao chocolate bar / chocolate

4.European import chocolate biscuit / Import Pastry

5.French Mademoiselle de Margaux Dark Chocolate Twigs/ European chocolate gift box

Brown picnic style gift Basket(Please note the color of basket may vary.)

Price: $1000 HKD

Mid Autumn Fruit Hamper M81

1.France Chateau Campot Lafont AOC / France Bordeaux AOC Wine

2.Mid Autumn Fruit Collection(about 12-16pcs)(weight about 7KG/15LB)

• Japanese Green House Kyoho grapes/Imported fruit
• Korean Green House Muskmelon
• Japanese Aomori Apple
• Korean Crystal Pear
• Kiwi fruit in box
• Imported Grape
• Columbia golden berry in box/Imported fruit in box
• Dragon fruit
• Large Mango
• Star fruit
• Guava/ Nectarine
• Fuji Apple

Can request to switch Korean Melon with Thai Pomelo.

3.Hotel Peninsula Mid-Autumn Egg Custard Mooncakes Gift Box

4.Man-made leather hexagon

Price: $1205 HKD

Godiva Mid Autumn Cake Fruit Basket M41

1.Mid Autumn Fruit Collection(about 9-12pcs)(weight about 5KG/12LB)

• Korean Green House Muskmelon
• Japanese Aomori Apple
• Korean Crystal Pear
• Imported Grape / star fruit
• Kiwi fruit
• Dragon fruit
• Fuji Apple
• Sunkist orange

2.Hotel Peninsula Mid-Autumn Egg Custard Mooncakes Gift Box

3.France Chateau Campot Lafont AOC / France Bordeaux AOC Wine

4.Godiva Chocolate Pretzels / chocolate bar

5.Godiva Chocolatier cacao chocolate bar / chocolate

6.Godiva chocolate truffle chocolate tall pack / Godiva chocolate

7.Godiva, Belgium, Chocoiste chocolate beans 57g/ Godiva chocolate

8.Man-made leather hamper with top strap(Please note the color of basket may vary.

Price: $1230 HKD

Mid Autumn Moon Cake Fruit Basket P25

1.Hotel Peninsula Mid-Autumn Egg Custard Mooncakes Gift Box

2.Mid Autumn Fruit Collection(about 10-14pcs)(weight about 7KG/16LB)

• Japanese Aomori Apple
• Korean Crystal Pear
• Kiwi fruit
• Dragon fruit
• Mango/ star fruit
• Fuji apple
• Orange/ grapefruit
• Tianjin Pear/ Pear

3.Tall man-made leather hamper with Handle (dark brown)

Price: $885 HKD

The Intelligent Ordering System to Smooth the Delivery

At the time of the gift-giving carnival, the rapid increase of sales tests the delivery accuracy and efficiency. To ensure on-time accurate delivery, Give Gift Boutique provides the ordering system to all customers. You can finish an order within a minute just by leaving your message and your wish to the recipients. The orders are processed automatically by the computer system, which makes gift-giving more simple, convenient, and less delivery failure. It keeps on-time delivery and customer satisfaction even in large volume purchases, which made it become the choice of many institutions and enterprises.

The Support of Consumption Vouchers

Now, the Hung Hom store of Give Gift Boutique has supported payment methods including Octopus, Alipay, Tap & Go, and VISA/MASTER credit cards. Customers can use consumption vouchers to purchase wonderful gifts in the store and enjoy a flexible and convenient shopping experience.

Address:Give Gift Boutique, Shop 05-06, Soda Mall Hung Hom Flag Store, G/F, Upper East, 23 Sung On Street, Hung Hom

Way to Purchase

Give Gift Boutique website: https://www.givegift.com.hk/hong-kong-mid-autumn-mooncake-gift

Give Gift Boutique Facebook: https://zh-hk.facebook.com/givegiftboutique

About Give Gift Boutique

Give Gift Boutique is the leading online flower shop in Hong Kong. It is managed by senior florist designers in the Netherlands and Toronto. It operates in the boutique workshop model and serves corporate and individual customers throughout the year. Since its opening in 2008, it has been committed to providing customers with high-quality flower bouquets, holiday hampers, birthday gifts, etc.

#GiveGiftBoutique