Beijing-raised James Sun is managing director of investment specialist Charles Schwab Hongkong and his cosmopolitan background has set him in good stead for a job that takes him across the region, he tells Kenny Coyle
What are your favourite places outside of Asia?
I lived in New York for 10 years. I really miss the city, so I try to go back as often as possible. I think you enjoy the city more when you have stayed there. Of course, you have food from all over the world in New York; it is a truly international city.
I also love Hawaii, I’ve been there four or five times. I love the beaches and the golf courses.
What do you look for when choosing a hotel?
I’m pretty loyal when it comes to choosing hotels. I prefer to use the larger hotel chains; they are more familiar. I don’t want surprises on a trip. If you’re a regular, they get to know what you want. One of my favourites is the Portman Ritz-Carlton in Shanghai, but I often choose a Shangri-La elsewhere in Asia.
I like to stay at hotels that have good business centre facilities. That way, I can easily meet up with VIP clients and arrange my business meetings there. These days everyone travels with their own computer and so you bring your office with you. Charles Schwab is a cutting-edge company, very wired up.
Which airlines do you use?
It’s always better to try to stay with the same airline. I usually choose to fly with Cathay Pacific. It’s a very consistent airline, you know what you’re going to get.
And apart from working?
I go to the gym every day when I travel, so I definitely look to see what fitness facilities a hotel has. It’s important not to break your routine when you shift time zones.
I often arrange business lunches in the hotel. These can be the centre of social activity in a city, but I like to try local foods and see the local culture, so I’ll ask the concierge for recommendations.
There’s a lot of pressure at the moment to limit business travel, what’s your perspective?
These days you need to justify your trips. But in a tough business environment, you have to keep close to your markets. That’s essential when the markets are so volatile. You need to find ways to accomplish more with the same amount of travel.
How do you pack?
Unless I’m travelling with my golf clubs, since I love to play the game, I pack very lightly and make sure my running shoes are in my carry-on bags.
