Simon Lam 林溢東

Simon Lam (EMBA 2016)
Co-Chief Executive Officer, China Pacific Life Insurance (H.K.) Company Limited
President, The Actuarial Society of Hong Kong, 2018 and 2023
Adjunct Associate Professor, The Hong Kong Polytechnical University
Adjunct Assistant Professor, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Simon Lam, Co-Chief Executive Officer of China Pacific Life Insurance (H.K.) Company Limited, has over 23 years of solid experience in the industry. He also served as the President of The Actuarial Society of Hong Kong (ASHK) in 2018 and 2023, after joining its Council in 2013. Before becoming a leader in his profession, Simon embarked on a career breakthrough by enrolling in the CUHK EMBA programme.

Simon recalled the excitement when he got admitted to the programme. He said, “I wanted to make significant strides in my profession. My goal was to transition from a specialist to a generalist, who can embrace the multitude of opportunities and challenges in my career.” To achieve this goal, Simon committed to enhancing his skills across various areas, such as technical expertise, business acumen, and communication skills, to adapt to the fast-paced and ever-evolving business landscape.

Simon described the CUHK EMBA programme as an enriching and transformational journey. “The programme’s diverse student profiles and the wide range of subjects, such as strategy, marketing, negotiation, entrepreneurship, and more, have expanded my knowledge and broadened my perspective, enabling me to think from a senior-level perspective while maintaining a deep understanding of my specialist field,” he remarked.

Moreover, the programme has enabled Simon to build a robust professional network, especially within the Greater China region, including Taiwan, Hong Kong, and mainland China. He recognised the value of this network for his career growth. He explained, “This network is not limited to the coursework or group projects during the programme; it provides lifelong benefits. From the very first day, I benefited from the network of over 50 classmates and connections across different cohorts, spanning diverse fields and industries. This enabled me to access a rich source of knowledge and experience, readily seeking advice and gaining valuable insights on unfamiliar topics.”

Among the various subjects covered during the two-year programme, Simon highlighted the course “Applied Entrepreneurship” as the most inspiring. This course required students to work on a group project, which challenged Simon and his classmates to complete a comprehensive investment plan within a tight timeframe. Despite the initial skepticism, they successfully achieved it. He commented, “I thought it was an impossible task, but we did it. This experience was meaningful for me as it taught me how to apply theory into practice and instilled in me the belief that anything is possible, nurturing my can-do spirit.”

Reflecting on his transformational journey, Simon said, “I was profoundly influenced by our peers, fostering our shared belief in ‘Dare to Dream’ and ‘Strive for Excellence’. We continuously strive to make a difference and create a better world for others.”

With this positive transformation, Simon has now taken on the role of an adjunct associate professor and an adjunct assistant professor in two universities respectively, nurturing future generations for a better society. Simultaneously, he continues to lead the industry through his presidency at ASHK, ensuring its growth and development.