Hong Kong

Namera Tanjeem

Trainee secondment to our Hong Kong office

I'm at our office in Hong Kong, which is spread out over the 46th and 47th floors of Jardine House in the Central district – a building known for its distinctively round, porthole-esque windows. We have a great view of Victoria Harbour, with Kowloon on the other side, and skyscrapers and mountains spreading out in the distance!

What work are you doing on secondment? How is it different to London?

I'm sitting in the Corporate team in Hong Kong. Having finished a Corporate seat in London right before my secondment, it's been interesting to see the similarities and differences. For example, most of the work I've done so far here has been in the realm of bancassurance (tie-ups between banks and insurance companies) which is much more widespread in Asia than in Europe. 

Culturally also, the Hong Kong office has its differences from London. The office here is physically a lot smaller - it takes up one and a half floors of Jardine House, versus eight floors in London - so it feels very close-knit. Some departments we have in London, e.g. TDDI [Tech, Digital, Data and IP] and Financial Regulation, aren't here. The reduced numbers mean that as a trainee, there’s a chance to get involved in a wider range of work that spans departments. Alongside corporate staples such as SPAs [sale and purchase agreements], SHAs [shareholders’ agreements] and working on an IPO [initial public offering], I’ve also done a fair amount of ad-hoc research for Disputes and have had lot of exposure to business development here.

What are some of your highlights so far?

I've been having a great time exploring Hong Kong and eating plenty of dim sum in the process (my blood is probably about 80% bubble tea now, too!). There are a lot of hiking options to suit all experience levels, with great views even on the easier hikes - you just need to make sure you time your hikes well, since the weather gets very hot. I've also been visiting a number of museums which provide an insight into Hong Kong's rich history as an international trading centre. 

Why would you recommend going on secondment? 

Going on secondment is a great way of testing yourself – moving to a new country, with different ways of working, is an exciting and novel experience. The steep learning curve and the challenge of adapting to a new environment with increased responsibilities make for excellent preparation as you transition from trainee to associate. 

It's also a very good chance to try out a wider scope of work, or even variations on work you’ve enjoyed doing before. For instance, I liked my Disputes seat back in London, and getting the opportunity to do Disputes work again – this time in the context of Hong Kong law – has offered an interesting new perspective.