Driving Innovation through Customer-Centricity: An Insight into Brian Hui’s Growth Conversation at HSBC

Discussing Growth: A Conversation with HSBC's Brian Hui

Brian Hui, who is currently serving as the managing director and the chief of customer propositions and marketing for wealth and personal banking in Hong Kong at HSBC, shares his insights about fostering innovation by advocating a more strategic, customer-focused marketing approach. This approach has been instrumental in transforming the traditional brand into a flexible innovator.

Hui identifies four unchanging customer behaviors: the desire for more options; the demand for lower prices without compromising on quality; the need for speed and convenience; and the importance of product experience authenticity. He sees these behaviors as key factors influencing decision-making and business strategy.

Having a varied career that spans across finance, technology, and international startups, Brian Hui has gained a unique understanding of the hurdles companies and marketers encounter today. Drawing from his diverse professional background, he has used his experiences to promote innovation and a customer-based approach at one of Hong Kong's most renowned local brands. Hui considers his role to extend beyond just marketing.

Marketing/Growth Specialist "I view my position more as a growth specialist… I'm a person with a variety of interests and professions," he states. "Though marketing is an aspect of my job, I don't restrict myself to just that, digital banking, or technology, I incorporate all of my early digital benefits, my global experiences, my perspectives and visions, and combine them all."

Undoubtedly, his varied background has been a crucial benefit in his present position, enabling him to connect the dots between conventional and online, as well as local and international realms. Following the completion of his master's degree in economics, he stepped into the banking sector only to discover his real interest was in digital transformation. In the ensuing twenty years, his profession led him around the globe, assisting in the growth of brands ranging from start-ups to tech titans like Amazon, before returning him to his roots. It was here, during a fortuitous meeting at HSBC, that he found a job opportunity that allowed him to harness his wealth of experience and knowledge.

"He nostalgically remembers being intrigued and eager to pursue his passion; this was an opportunity to be a part of a prominent brand where he could enjoy himself and make a significant contribution."

The Requirements

To begin with, he emphasizes the importance of maintaining passion and curiosity. Hui's impressive career trajectory can be largely attributed to his innate curiosity and his inclination towards taking on difficult tasks. Although many may categorize him under marketing, he considers himself to fall under the curiosity category. This mindset was one of the main catalysts for his transition from the finance sector to the tech industry, even before the advent of the internet.