Hong Leong Group Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng was recently accorded a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards 2017 held at Singapore’s Marina Bay Sands. The prestigious accolade was in recognition of his “outstanding achievements, visionary leadership and steadfast dedication that has led to the successful growth of the Hong Leong Group for over five decades.”
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Mr Kwek Leng Beng giving his acceptance speech after receiving his Lifetime Achievement Award. This is Mr Kwek’s third Lifetime Achievement Award in the last three years.
On stage with other winners: Mr Kwek Leng Beng (9th from right) with other award winners. On Mr Kwek’s right is Guest-of-Honour, Mr Seah Kian Peng who is a Member of Parliament and CEO of NTUC Fairprice Co-operative. On Mr Kwek’s left is Mr William Ng, President of Enterprise Asia, organiser of the event.
Organised by Enterprise Asia, a regional non-governmental organisation (NGO) for entrepreneurship, the Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship Awards (APEA) are one of the region's more prestigious awards for outstanding entrepreneurship, continuous innovation and sustainable leadership.
Selection for the winners are carried out by the International Advisory Panel of Enterprise Asia that includes current and former senior public figures from Philippines, Malaysia and India. Former Malaysian Minister of Human Resources Tan Sri Dr Fong Chan Onn, Malaysian Ambassador at Large Tan Sri Ahmad Fuzi Haji Abdul Razak and former Taiwanese Foreign Minister Dr. Eugene Chien are among the advisors for Enterprise Asia.
Sharing the joy with staff and family (L-R): Belinda Lee, Head of Investor Relations & Corporate Communications, CDL; Brian Kwek, Co-founder and Executive Producer of Witching Hour Studios; Kevin Hangchi, Director, Hong Leong Finance (HLF); Eric Chan, Director, CDL; Patricia Yeo, Director, Hong Leong Investment Holdings; Vincent Yeo, CEO of CDLHT; Kwek Lee Hoon; Kingston Kwek, younger son of Chairman Kwek; Daniel Desbaillets, Director, Millennium & Copthorne Hotels (M&C); Mr and Mrs Kwek; Sherman Kwek, CEO-designate, CDL; Grant Kelley, CEO of CDL; Gerry De Silva, Head of Hong Leong Group Corporate Affairs; Chia Ngiang Hong, Group General Manager, CDL; Yiong Yim Ming, CFO of CDL; Mark Yip, CEO of CDL China and CMO of CDL; Tan Kian Seng, CEO of M&C; Chong Kok Kee, CFO of M&C; Ang Tang Chor, President of Hong Leong Finance (HLF); Leong Chee Wah, SVP, Risk Management & Credit Control, HLF.
“I am very honoured and deeply humbled by this recognition. This award is a tribute to every member of the Hong Leong Group, past and present – directors, management and staff – and to the third generation of the Kwek family members working in the Group. I thank them for their steadfast dedication and contribution to the growth of our companies for over five decades,” said Mr Kwek, who also helms property giant City Developments Limited (CDL) and leading international hotel group Millennium & Copthorne Hotels plc (M&C), listed in London.
In his acceptance speech, Mr Kwek also thanked his wife, Cecilia, for standing by him while he worked to build up his business over the years. He acknowledged her creative flair, calling her his “design idol”. He paid special tribute to his son Sherman Kwek for his tenacity and vision, stating that his son works harder than him.
This is Mr. Kwek’s third Lifetime Achievement Award in the last three years, having received similar awards from the Real Estate Developers' Association of Singapore (REDAS) in 2014 and HICAP (Hotel Investment Conference Asia Pacific in 2015. Other accolades include “Businessman of the Year” in 1996 by Singapore Business Awards, organised by The Business Times and DHL, and “Asia Pacific Hotelier of the Decade” in 2000 by Jones Lang LaSalle Hotels and Arthur Andersen. In 2015, he received the “SG50 Outstanding Chinese Business Pioneers Award” by Singapore Chinese Chamber of Commerce & Industry (SCCCI).
Hong Leong Group Executive Chairman Mr Kwek Leng Beng (middle) with Member of Parliament and CEO of NTUC Fairprice Co-operative Mr Seah Kian Peng (left), and President of Enterprise Asia Dato William Ng. Mr Seah was the Guest-of-Honour at the event organised by Enterprise Asia.
Mr Kwek Leng Beng (2nd from right) with wife Cecilia Kwek and his two sons, Sherman Kwek (right) and Kingston Kwek. Sherman Kwek is the CEO-designate of City Developments Limited.
