Opportunities and Challenges: Interview with HNA Group’s Senior Management

To know HNA intimately, you have to start with knowing HNAers.
See below the insights from three HNA senior management staff on 

the opportunities and challenges as an HNAer.

 Patrick Kwan, Chief Investment Officer of HNA International

Why did you decide to join HNA?

I was impressed by the growth story of HNA and wanted to be a part of it.

What is your greatest challenge in your current position?

It would be prioritization. There are a lot exciting things to achieve and it’s all about prioritizing time and other resources.

How does your position at HNA differ to your previous positions?

Throughout my 20+ years of Investment Banking career, I have advised numerous clients on M&A, financing and risk management. Now, I’m part of the side which is receiving advice and making decisions.

How do you feel the company and your team are doing?

We are doing very well as a team. The investments which we have made recently performed well and we are happy to contribute to the company’s Fortune 500 success.

What is most satisfying about your job?

It would be the opportunity to look at interesting investments in a variety of industries.

How do you view HNA’s progress on internationalization?

I am very pleasantly surprised by how international HNA is. If we pride ourselves to be a Fortune 500 company, we must be able to compete in the international arenas.

Wallace Chen, IT Planning Director, HNA Group

Why did you decide to join HNA?

HNA has evolved speedily into Fortune 170 in recent years. The demand for information technology has become a global phenomenon. Meanwhile, HNA has continued its focus on internationalization demanding even more diverse talents. This creates an unprecedented platform helping IT planning talents to be rooted in China and expand to the world from a company with businesses across five continents and countless industries, which makes working at HNA Group an ideal choice.

What is your greatest challenge in your current position?

The company has developed into the world's leading enterprise. Its demands on information technology also reached a global level. The gap between demand and the status quo requires immediate action. Considering the company’s worldwide businesses crossing numerous fields, how to coordinate with various industries is a challenge that cannot be ignored.

What is most satisfying about your job?

The company provides a global platform. Moreover, because of its rapid business development, I am faced with an ever-changing market environment with complex challenges of globalization. Here lie numerous opportunities to participate and advance the development of the company, and to solve complex problems. Because of its velocity, every day involves new learnings through problem-solving.

How do you view HNA’s progress on internationalization?

Internationalization is the company’s established strategic direction. In the future, HNA will strive to be even more international. Therefore, the requirements for talents will reach a new height. It presents great opportunities for professionals and students interested in a global platform to achieve new career heights.

Vivian Cui, Head of Global Internal Audit, HNA International

Why did you decide to join HNA?

HNA is the first Chinese company I worked for in my career.  I switched from US corporations to a Chinese company because I saw HNA’s great development over the past years.  I chose HNA as I saw the huge development platform ahead, with many good opportunities, which are hard to find in other corporations.

What is your greatest challenge in your current position?

HNA has many M&A in recent years.  It is quite interesting and also challenging when someone views a company from an outsider’s point of view.   We audit these subsidiaries and each of them is a Fortune 500 Company.  That is to say, you audit and learn from these giant corporations each time, and it is an amazing experience.  Sometimes, those 500 Companies really did a good job, and we have to say, you need to bring yourself to the next level.

How does your position at HNA differ to your previous positions?

I need to respond faster and think quicker.   There are lots of new things happening every day that makes me feel full of energy.  Since HNA has many different industries, like financial, aviation, high-tech etc., working at HNA may multiple your work experience by 6 times!

How do you view HNA’s progress on internationalization?

Globalization is a big word.  I don't think globalization simply means opening offices everywhere.   I felt HNA tried hard to facilitate its people on that journey with adequate equipment.  For example, HNA provides its staff with many overseas training occasions, workshops with industry studies and exchange programs.  You may not see that many opportunities in a “mature” company.