In the third of our series of exclusive gatekeeper interviews, FSA speaks with Lina Lim, managing director, head of funds & discretionary, Hong Kong Wealth and Premier Solutions at HSBC.

Lina is also the executive officer in relation to Type 9 regulated activities under the supervision of the Hong Kong Monetary Authority. She has around 30 years of industry experience in both asset and wealth management sectors.

Prior to joining HSBC, Lina worked for a leading global private bank in various capacities for over a decade. Her previous responsibilities included leading the discretionary business for institutional wealth including family offices, endowments, non-profit organisations and foundations. In the early part of her career, she worked for an international asset manager and regulatory authority in Hong Kong.

Lina is a member of the Chartered Association of Certified Accountant (ACCA) and Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA). She has served as board member in non-profit organisations focusing on education, gender equality and wellness. She also holds a post-graduate certificate on Business Sustainability by the Cambridge Leadership for Sustainability Leadership at the University of Cambridge.

1. What attracted you to the wealth management industry?

There are several reasons why I was drawn to this industry. First, the wealth management sector is undergoing a massive evolution, especially with the ongoing intergenerational transfer of over $30trn in assets worldwide. This creates a unique opportunity to help design robust portfolio frameworks for clients, which I find incredibly exciting.

Second, customer needs are constantly evolving, and I feel that I learn something new every day. During the past five years, we’ve seen personalisation and customisation become mainstream, rather than reserved just for institutional clients. I see this shift particularly in my additional roles overseeing segregated accounts and discretionary portfolio management. Today, we’re challenged to be creative, going beyond technical know-how and experience to deliver tailored solutions at scale.

Third, the adoption of technology and AI has transformed wealth management, making it more accessible and dynamic than ever before. The pace of change means there’s always something new to learn, which I find intellectually rewarding.

Finally, numbers and finance have always come naturally to me; I studied accounting, pursued my CFA, and built my career as a portfolio manager. But I’m equally passionate about art and fashion.

Visiting galleries and museums and around the world inspires my creativity – the V&A in London is one of my favourites – which I bring back into my work. I believe art and finance are closely linked: my financial expertise drives investment insights, while my artistic side helps me create meaningful, personalised client experiences.

2. What is the highlight of your career so far?

Four years ago, we were proud to launch the Aspire Pro discretionary portfolio solution through our mobile app, which is the first of its kind. It allows clients to subscribe, redeem, and monitor their portfolios 24/7, with full transparency on underlying trades and holdings. This flexibility and control have been game changers, empowering clients and supporting our vision for personalisation at scale. Adoption has been strong and continues to grow as we expand the programme.

3. What lessons have you learned from your work?

The most important lesson is to keep pace with the industry’s constant evolution. Even with nearly 30 years in asset and wealth management, I learn something new every day. It’s essential to maintain a curious and growth mindset, always seeking out new knowledge and adapting to change. That’s how we unlock the potential in this industry.

4. What strategies are you recommending to clients?

In today’s environment, our priority is to help clients build resilient portfolios amid continuing volatility in markets. For some time now, we have focused on constructing strong core portfolios—anchored by strategic asset allocation and enhanced by dynamic, tactical adjustments to capture shorter-term opportunities.

We use robust, technology-enabled risk analytics to ensure portfolios align with each client’s risk profile, using scenario analysis and stress testing to understand potential outcomes. This quantitative approach, combined with ongoing tactical rebalancing, allows us to be dynamic and responsive to market shifts.

5. What types of funds have you been onboarding?

We onboard funds to address both market trends and product gaps. Recently, we’ve added multi-thematic funds focusing on long-term structural themes, multi-asset income funds, enhanced bond funds, and added further gold exposure. These strategies are designed for flexibility and to benefit from enduring investment themes.

6. What keeps you up at night?

While I generally sleep well (except for the occasional mosquito attack!), the uncertainties of today’s world—geopolitical risks, persistently high energy prices, policy changes—are always on my mind. These macro factors are beyond our control, but they require constant vigilance and dynamic portfolio positioning. Our discretionary portfolios are managed to be nimble, using tactical asset allocation and risk management tools to respond to such volatility and uncover opportunities.