Avanade, which provides business technology services and has expertise in Microsoft technologies, has a delivery centre in Japan. When I meet Adam, it is natural for me to ask him what impact the earthquake had on his Tokyo-based delivery centre.

Looking dapper in a business suit and speaking in a voice that reminds me of British novelist Hanif Kureishi, Adam tells me how sad and concerned he is about everyone in Japan. "From our perspective, all our employees are safe and well," he says. "Interestingly, business is carrying on and it is a credit to the Japanese character-keeping focused and trying to keep things going."

I nod, silently praising the resilience of the Japanese people.

Adams tells me why he is in Singapore. "Singapore being a global hub, it provides connection between East and West," he says. "It is always exciting to be back here."

Minutes before I had arrived, Adam had addressed the employees of Avanade in Singapore. "It is a fast-growing part of the world and we have a lot of things to do here," he says. "We are here for the long term."