SINCE THE DEATH of 'Big Spender' Cheung Tze-keung, the gangster whose reign of terror and extortion ended in front of a firing squad in China in 1998, Hong Kong's tycoons have slept a little easier.
Until then, a spate of high-profile kidnappings underlined the reality that nobody, no matter how rich and powerful, was immune from being held to ransom - not even Victor Li Tzar-kuoi, the son of Hutchison Whampoa and Cheung Kong tycoon Li Ka-shing.
Following the execution of Cheung, Hong Kong restored its status as one of the world's safest cities. However, its citizens have not forgotten the lesson he taught the society.
Kidnapping is one of the fastest-growing crimes in the world, generating an estimated $4 billion a year in ransoms.
The most vulnerable is the wealthiest, high-profile segment of society, ranging from tycoons and international executives and their families to celebrities and foreign dignitaries.
Therefore, the role of a bodyguard is assuming greater importance. Bodyguards are hardly noticeable and they certainly do not broadcast their presence, but they are most often part of the entourage of the rich and famous. Actor Kevin Costner's role protecting Whitney Houston in The Bodyguard highlights the job well.
Adam James, who was formerly with the elite British military regiment, the Royal Marines, is one such 'executive protection specialist', as these bodyguards prefer to be known. At 38, he is manager for operations support at Megastrength Security Services (MSS), a subsidiary of the Henderson Group.