When Anthony Lok joined Bank of China International (BOCI) five years ago just as it began operations as an investment bank, it was not considered the smartest of moves.
It was a gamble as the state-owned bank did not have an institutional platform to speak of, and having an impressive resume that included DBS, WI Carr and Nomura International as his previous employers, the Calgary-born Mr Lok could easily have looked elsewhere.
'In 2002, it was by no means obvious that it was the right thing to do. I received conciliatory comments from industry peers who would say 'why would you want to go to the Bank of China?'' recalled Mr Lok, who is the head of research at BOCI.
'Even at the time, I was fairly highly ranked in the financial banking analyst circle. However, all of us working at BOCI had a vision because we thought China was the place to be. We thought there was no better platform than the Bank of China for China,' he added.
Mr Lok said his job requirements as head of strategy included managerial duties. 'I wear several hats including being the head of strategy,' said Mr Lok.
'I write the monthly news booklet [Huaqiao in the Middle Kingdom] and my duties would generally be the same as an analyst's role, which I started out as in my career. But obviously, being head of strategy includes managerial duties, rather than taking direct company coverage which would be my historical role.
'Personally, I never have and probably will not like managing,' he laughed.