New York Life executive David Skinner finds Hong Kong perfect for business opportunities and family living

"I grew to love Hong Kong during my first assignment and was delighted when I was given the opportunity to return. When a business transfer took me away I missed the vibrancy and friendliness of the people, and vowed that Hong Kong had not seen the last of Dave Skinner.

Hong Kong is traditionally the regional entry point for global insurance companies looking to expand their presence in Asia. The big players are all here and competition is challenging, however Hong Kong offers an excellent environment for insurers and there is still room for growth. Looking north, as the Chinese mainland opens up and allows overseas companies to offer new services, New York Life is looking forward to introducing our particular brand of expertise and professionalism to both these markets. There is also huge potential in India as the Indian regulatory authorities relax the requirements and allow foreign companies to enter the market.

Our growth in the region has accelerated to the point where Asian sales now account for a significant part of New York Life's overall sales picture. These sales have been driven from Hong Kong. For this and many other reasons Hong Kong is the hub for our regional business operations and will remain that way. With its reputation for efficiency and well developed infrastructure, Hong Kong is by far the best place to enact the next phase of our strategy and expansion plans in Asia.

Deep pool of talent

Importantly, we are where we need to be to attract quality people to further develop our regional business.  We have little difficulty recruiting employees with strong work ethics and comprehensive language skills to deliver our quality service. Our Hong Kong office employs 160 staff and 1,300 agents. We also like to participate in community activities and support

Hong Kong's superb transport system is another plus. Half of my time involves travel to our seven regional offices so I really appreciate the convenience of the airport. Access is a critical issue but with the availability and timing of flights it means that I can always reach my destination in a timely fashion. When you consider the quality and number of retail outlets at the airport the facility is a destination in itself - and only 23 minutes from the centre of Hong Kong.

As a member of the Executive Forum, which includes senior executives from across a broad spectrum of industries that meets once a month, I keep in touch with a wide range of topics and current issues. Meeting people and expanding your circle of friends is part of the lifestyle of Hong Kong. In my spare time, which is very limited, I like to hike and play tennis or softball.

For a family, Hong Kong is a wonderful place to raise children. Besides being extremely safe the many wonderful cultural experiences have opened up my sons' minds and given them a broad perspective of the world. These are positive experiences that I am sure would be hard to find in other places."

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