What was your first job?
My degree involved one year in Beijing. Between studying Chinese and training wushu (Chinese martial arts), I had a part-time job teaching English at a Chinese university. After graduating I started my career as an intern at an investment bank.
What was the best advice you were ever given?
One of my favourite sayings that I’ve come across is:
Don’t lose your head during the good times and don’t lose heart during the bad times.
Which was the last book you read?
The Last Kings of Shanghai by Jonathan Kaufman, which was fascinating.
What would be the first item on your bucket list?
To go sailing around the Greek islands with my family.
Who inspires you?
I draw inspiration from lots of people from all different walks of life. I especially enjoy reading about people who have really excelled in their given field, be it in sports, arts, business, investing etc.
Aside from that, the person who has inspired me the most in my life has been my mother.
How would you spend your ideal weekend?
Quality time with close family and reading (and perhaps watching sport or playing Texas Hold’em with close friends).
How long can you go without your mobile phone?
I can’t! I need it to run my business and stay informed.
What advice would you give the young you?
The sooner you start investing the better, but before you do ensure you have the right framework. Reading The Intelligent Investor and Poor Charlie’s Almanack are good places to start.
What would be your luxury item on Desert Island Discs?
My iPad.
Who would you most like to meet and why?
Warren Buffet has had a big influence on how I do business and invest. I’m sure I could learn a lot from meeting him and picking his brains. I think he’s a great poster child for capitalism and I admire how he’s used his wealth and influence to such great effect in philanthropy.
