A background in fund management could help you when it comes to managing a fund company, but the most important trait is to have a “real passion” for the industry, says Lieven Debruyne, the newly elected chairman of the Hong Kong Investment Funds Association trade group.

Debruyne, who is also chief executive of British fund house Schroder Investment Management (Hong Kong), believes having a sound strategy and a clear focus are the keys to managing a fund company.