Honour of Spirit of Business
December 7, 2018
SCMP Updates
Awards recognise leaders and companies showing Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial flair in times of change, writes Keith Chan
One of the most prestigious and longest-established business accolades in the city, the DHL/ SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards marks its 29th anniversary this year with honours presented to winners in eight award categories, including a new Start-up category.
Established jointly by DHL and the South China Morning Post in 1990, the annual award scheme was created with the objective of honouring publicly the contributions made by individuals and companies in maintaining and expanding the economic viability and international stature of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
Its other aims were to encourage and sustain the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, and to highlight and recognise excellent standards of corporate management and governance. The initiative was launched during a global economic downturn, to boost confidence in the business sector.
This year’s winners were determined by a 19-member judging panel chaired by professor Richard Y.C. Wong, professor of economics at the University of Hong Kong. The panel made its final choices from a shortlist of candidates in each category prepared by a working party comprising organisers, advisers and sponsors.
At the award presentation ceremony held yesterday evening at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai, accolades were presented to distinguished individuals and companies in eight categories: Simon KwokSiu-ming, chairman and CEO of Sa Sa International Holdings, won the Business Person of the Year Award; Amy Lo, chairman and head of Greater China, UBS Wealth Management and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong, the Executive Award; SML Group, the International Award; Dah Chong Hong Holdings, the Enterprise Award; Xiaomi Corp, the China Company Award; Outblaze, the SME Award; Prenetics Group, the Start-up Award; and Lee Man Tat, group chairman of Lee Kum Kee, the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Herbert Vongpusanachai, senior vice-president and managing director of DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, says that since the first HKBA programme 29 years ago, DHL and the SCMP have continued to sustain Hong Kong’s
entrepreneurial spirit, which still stands firm amid the winds of change caused by the unpredictability of recent global events.
Vongpusanachai says thatsince 1990 the awards havec onstantly identified and recognised outstanding businesses and personalities who have risen above volatile changes throughout the years. All this year’s award winners stand out and remain strong in the ever-evolving business landscape, much like Hong Kong’s own resilient spirit.
He says the Start-up Award was introduced this year to acknowledge the young visionaries who create excellent opportunities out of the challenges they face. The award was established for local companies that have shown creativity in deploying unique new products or services, and that have achieved proven success in business performance, scalability and sustainability.
It also encourages young innovators to take bold steps towards a bright future not only for themselves, but for the city.
“We congratulate all individuals and companies who embody a true pioneering spirit and continue to inspire young, future innovators. Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit will live on infinitely, like a torch being passed on from generation to generation, ever burning bright.”
Gary Liu, chief executive officer of SCMP, says Hong Kong’s business sector has seen a transformative shift, from regional force to international leader in the global economy since the award scheme was established, and that now, more than ever, the city is shaping global finance, technology, business, art and culture.
“This transformation is due in large part to the entrepreneurial spirit and professional talent of the companies and individuals receiving these business awards. Their commitment to the expansion of our city’s economic capabilities deserves recognition, and serves as an inspiration to the many business women and men who drive innovation in Hong Kong.”
Liu says the awards team is thrilled this year to announce the creation of the Start-up Award category for young companies exhibiting excellence in growth, strategy, and company culture because the thriving start-up
scene is a beacon for our future.
One of the most prestigious and longest-established business accolades in the city, the DHL/ SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards marks its 29th anniversary this year with honours presented to winners in eight award categories, including a new Start-up category.
Established jointly by DHL and the South China Morning Post in 1990, the annual award scheme was created with the objective of honouring publicly the contributions made by individuals and companies in maintaining and expanding the economic viability and international stature of Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area.
Its other aims were to encourage and sustain the region’s entrepreneurial spirit, and to highlight and recognise excellent standards of corporate management and governance. The initiative was launched during a global economic downturn, to boost confidence in the business sector.
This year’s winners were determined by a 19-member judging panel chaired by professor Richard Y.C. Wong, professor of economics at the University of Hong Kong. The panel made its final choices from a shortlist of candidates in each category prepared by a working party comprising organisers, advisers and sponsors.
At the award presentation ceremony held yesterday evening at the Grand Hyatt Hong Kong in Wan Chai, accolades were presented to distinguished individuals and companies in eight categories: Simon KwokSiu-ming, chairman and CEO of Sa Sa International Holdings, won the Business Person of the Year Award; Amy Lo, chairman and head of Greater China, UBS Wealth Management and chief executive of UBS Hong Kong, the Executive Award; SML Group, the International Award; Dah Chong Hong Holdings, the Enterprise Award; Xiaomi Corp, the China Company Award; Outblaze, the SME Award; Prenetics Group, the Start-up Award; and Lee Man Tat, group chairman of Lee Kum Kee, the Lifetime Achievement Award.
Herbert Vongpusanachai, senior vice-president and managing director of DHL Express Hong Kong and Macau, says that since the first HKBA programme 29 years ago, DHL and the SCMP have continued to sustain Hong Kong’s
entrepreneurial spirit, which still stands firm amid the winds of change caused by the unpredictability of recent global events.
Vongpusanachai says thatsince 1990 the awards havec onstantly identified and recognised outstanding businesses and personalities who have risen above volatile changes throughout the years. All this year’s award winners stand out and remain strong in the ever-evolving business landscape, much like Hong Kong’s own resilient spirit.
He says the Start-up Award was introduced this year to acknowledge the young visionaries who create excellent opportunities out of the challenges they face. The award was established for local companies that have shown creativity in deploying unique new products or services, and that have achieved proven success in business performance, scalability and sustainability.
It also encourages young innovators to take bold steps towards a bright future not only for themselves, but for the city.
“We congratulate all individuals and companies who embody a true pioneering spirit and continue to inspire young, future innovators. Hong Kong’s entrepreneurial spirit will live on infinitely, like a torch being passed on from generation to generation, ever burning bright.”
Gary Liu, chief executive officer of SCMP, says Hong Kong’s business sector has seen a transformative shift, from regional force to international leader in the global economy since the award scheme was established, and that now, more than ever, the city is shaping global finance, technology, business, art and culture.
“This transformation is due in large part to the entrepreneurial spirit and professional talent of the companies and individuals receiving these business awards. Their commitment to the expansion of our city’s economic capabilities deserves recognition, and serves as an inspiration to the many business women and men who drive innovation in Hong Kong.”
Liu says the awards team is thrilled this year to announce the creation of the Start-up Award category for young companies exhibiting excellence in growth, strategy, and company culture because the thriving start-up
scene is a beacon for our future.
