Ang Magiting - The Official Web Site of Rotary Club Makati North

Work is My True Passion

KARL STUART McKINNON McLEAN

Born in Gibraltar , August 1, 1955 where my dad ran Shell refinery then moved with my family to Hamburg, then London , followed by Holland where I spent 8 years of my life as my father was on the main board of Shell in London.

I went to a Dutch school which was fabulous as the Dutch are the “freeist” nation in the world. As class prefect I sat on the school board with teachers and parents and my vote had the same power as the teachers.

I played a lot of soccer and earlier cricket.

In 1971 came back to the UK to take my school exams, but also played soccer at Chelsea’s Junior team for three months, which was a mind blowing experience. I watched the others become full time professional but apart from the goalkeeper all players got injured before they reached 28 and the salaries were not good so I studied accountancy.

At 21, I was Assistant Group Accountant to CSG Group, a construction equipment hire company and part of SGB the largest scaffolding company in the world, but…I am a Jekkyl and Hyde and was a DJ at nights in the London disco’s After finishing my accounting exams I quit my accounting job and became a professional DJ and disco dancer with an agent who sent me all over Europe earning lots of cash but spending every penny mainly on beer related issues J

After 18 months of frolicking and having fun I came back to the UK and worked for Lloyds Bowmaker bank selling financial services such as aircraft mortgages, hire purchase leasing etc. I then left to form my own Leasing Company at the tender age of 24 where I had all the clients but at 24 had difficulty raising funds so decided to go into IT and sell/ market computers. That was almost 30 years ago now.

The IT industry was very good to me, and I had some very high powered jobs with up to 3,500 staff (Digital Equipment where I was VP Asia Pacific for all channel distribution business).

At Polaroid I was VP Asia Pacific for all security products and my largest client was the China National security and Public Security Bureau (police). I speak 7 languages in order of merit: Dutch, English, German, French, Spanish, Mandarin, and Danish.

In Asia I made many friends and sometimes at high places such as the eldest daughter of Deng Xiao Ping, the then President of China, and Noy (Jowelle) Shinawatra, the sister of Thaksin in Thailand. I never use my friends so never became wealthy in cash terms but feel very fortunate and wealthy from a “friendship” point of view.

I have been in the Philippines for over 10 years now starting by winning some major IT projects in days gone by such as Driving License, SSS Card, COMELEC and others

Government business is tough in any country but most of all in this country due to the rampant corruption and badly run “oligarchies”.

Rotary made me see the good side of the Philippines with honest hard working trustworthy people and gave hope back to me. My major “vice” is good red wine and good networking company.

I am now a “legalized drug dealer” and work for Zuellig Pharma as Director IT, a position I enjoy greatly. I have also founded various companies the most high profile being “Superbrands” where we select and write about the Leading brands in the Philippines such as San Miguel, SM etc.

Work is my true passion and I am sure I shall die working. Unfortunately my love for work has taken its toll too many times in my private life which I hope will change soon

My favorite charity is Virlanie Street Children Foundation run by Dominique Lemay a great social worker and we should look at assisting him more.

My view of the Philippines is one of ”gifted willing hardworking students without a teacher” but still have hope that we will find an honest upright leader soonest (Mar Roxas?).

I am really happy with RCMN and have met some great people/ friends here I am devoted to help Vic Austria be successful this year and next year hope to build a “Mezquita” (Mosque/ church under one roof a la Spain) in Maharlika village to promote peace and freedom amongst all Filipino’s where Christians and Muslims can live work beside each other in harmony.

I have many Muslim friends incl. Qatar Amabassaor and Consul, UAE and Saudi Amabassador’s so I want to show my commitment to all.