Benjamin Deng, chief investment officer of Ping An Insurance Group, likens managing the company’s $650 billion portfolio to “fighting a battle.”
benjamin deng
peace
Deng Xiaoping oversees investments in Ping An’s life insurance, non-life insurance, non-life insurance and pension businesses, and manages RMB 4.72 trillion ($652.4 billion) in assets.
To effectively manage investment teams, Deng said it is important for CIOs to be “professional,” referring to the expertise they need throughout the investment cycle from entry point to exit.
“There are people who specialize in specific stages of the value chain, such as credit analysts and equity analysts. But as a CIO, I have to have a well-rounded skill set,” Deng Xiaoping said. asian investors.
“You don’t have to be an expert to know a particular stock. I’m not a stock analyst or an interest rate trader. But I can understand how the logic works and, more importantly, how things work together. I need to know.”
This way, if a particular person in your team makes a mistake or loses their logic, you can quickly identify it.
Deng also values being objective and detached from personal bias.
“These things should not be taken personally. They must be viewed from a distance with calm eyes and a calm heart,” he said.
Still, the CIO said being transparent and fair to people while considering their career paths is also an important part of management.
“It’s basically my personality and my management style to know people and develop them. I prefer to send talented lieutenants to the front and develop them, rather than keep them around me. ” he said.
He first got people used to the role. However, as a last resort, there is also a harsh side to shuffling the team and replacing some members.
Operating such a large ship also comes with great pressure.
Deng Xiaoping calls himself an amateur historian, always seeking lessons from world history to reassure himself.
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“History has shown us time and time again that there is a clear cyclical nature to things. If we have enough patience, capital, and resources, we can get through difficult times and get through them safely and successfully. It can be done,” he said.
In addition to studying history, Deng Xiaoping finds solace in practicing calligraphy, tai chi, and meditation.
“These hobbies allow you to distract yourself and balance your mind. And it helps restore energy,” said the CIO.
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