Meet with the CFI team: Isabelle Chan

Where are you from ? How many languages to you speak ?

My name is Isabelle Chan. I’m French, born and raised in France, with a father from Hong Kong.

I speak French, English, Mandarin, and daily conversational Cantonese.

How long have you been in HK ? What do you do there ?

I have been based in Hong Kong for a full year. I initially came to Hong Kong to manage sourcing and product procurement from Hong Kong and China. During this time, I have attended various trade exhibitions in both Hong Kong and mainland China to discover new products and establish relationships with suppliers.

I am now fully based in Hong Kong, where I work as a Financial Planner.

I help people protect their finances and plan for a secure future through insurance and financial advice. My approach is always based on each client’s actual needs and budget.

Here’s what I do:

• Recommend the right types of insurance (like life, health, or disability) to protect individuals and families from financial risks.
• Help clients save, invest, and grow their wealth through personalized financial strategies.
• Create easy-to-follow plans for major goals like retirement, home ownership, or education funding.
• Offer ongoing support and adjust plans as life or financial situations change.
• Make sure clients fully understand their options so they can make confident, informed decisions.

How is life here ? Do you plan to stay here for long term, or go back to France in the near future ?

Hong Kong is a lively and crowded city, known for its mix of East and West. People speak Cantonese, English, and Mandarin, and you can enjoy all kinds of food from dim sum to French, Italian or Indian food. Because space is limited, homes are often small and expensive. However, the city is very safe, clean, and has excellent public transport, services, and healthcare.

Despite being a busy city, nature is never far away, beaches, hiking trails, islands, and parks are just a short ride from the centre. There’s always something going on, like festivals, art events, street food markets, and nightlife.

I plan to settle in Hong Kong permanently. I love its diverse culture, the variety of food, and how easy it is to escape the city and reach the countryside just a few MTR stops away. And It’s so easy to meet people here, including French expats, but also locals and others from around the world.

Despite the global situation, Hong Kong remains a place with many opportunities and one of the safest cities in Asia and the World.

Hong Kong is a global city with a mix of cultures and a strong expat community.

Why did you join the CFI and the CFI Team ? What would you like to focus on at CFI ?

I first learned about CFI quite randomly through Facebook, by searching French presence in Hong Kong. After that, I reached out to Marc asking him for more details about CFI. He sent me relevant links and information about CFI and events I could participate in. The first event I attended took place on February, and since then, I’ve been to more and more.

I can really see myself being part of CFI’s events. What I love is that they’re not just for French people, they bring together locals and internationals too, creating such a diverse community. There is a great mix of social and professional events to choose from. And the majority of events are held in the evenings or on weekends, perfectly suited for professionals after work. With every event, being part of the CFI team feels more and more natural to me.

With my business background and current experience, I am ideally suited for roles in business and events.

Do you have any advice for French expats who want to come to Hong Kong ?

 If you’re considering moving to Hong Kong, it offers plenty of opportunities despite the challenging global environment. The city is a major business hub with a strong economy, especially in finance, tech, and trade. These industries offer the most abundant opportunities for professionals.

You do not need to speak Cantonese or Mandarin to live in Hong Kong, English is widely used in business and daily life. However, learning the local languages will always give you an advantage, both socially and professionally.

Hong Kong’s high cost of living can be a challenge, especially to newcomers. The city is densely populated, and space is limited. It is common for families of four even six to live together in compact apartments. However, smart budgeting and strategic location choices can help ease the transition.

An important thing is networking, and the expat community is especially active in areas like business, tech, and education, making it easy to build both personal and professional relationships.

The fast-paced lifestyle, diverse culture, and access to international markets make it an exciting place to live and work. Hong Kong is the perfect gateway to explore Asia and Oceania with ease. But you need to be well prepared before arriving to have the best chance of building your short- or long-term career.

Isabelle CHAN WhatsApp +33 6 58 36 91 68