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Mark de Silva

Associate Director

AIA

Hong Kong

"Constant creativity, while also challenging your ways of work and process"

“I think it’s an exercise in constant communications," said AIA's Mark de Silva at the PRovoke Asia-Pacific Summit earlier this year. “If you don’t tell your story, if you’re not proactive about it, your stakeholders are going to assume that there are gaps or inadequacies in your story.” De Silva was referring, of course, to the ESG movement across Asia-Pacific, in which he plays a significant role at AIA, bringing together investor, regulatory and internal stakeholder concerns to ensure that his company is ahead of the fast-moving curve.

How do you define innovation?
Constant creativity, while also challenging your ways of work and process.

Who do you admire for his/her approach to innovation?
This year, it would be Dr Zlem Türeci and Dr Uğur Şahin. Their persistence, hard work and commitment have saved millions.

How do you get out of a creativity rut?
In prior years, this would have been through travel. These days it'll be from snorkeling somewhere around Sai Kung.

What would you be doing if you weren't doing your current job?
I'd be a perpetual student, in a PhD programme.

Which book/movie/TV show/podcast/playlist/other cultural source has helped you get through this year or provided inspiration?
The New Yorker, the Atlantic, the Moth, 30 Rock on repeat and Snap Judgement.

What's your favourite time of day and why?
The evening, when the temperature finally drops.