theceomagazine.com | 17H
KR International (HKRI) was founded
by Dr Cha Chi-ming. Born into a
humble family in a distinguished clan in
Zhejiang province, Chi-ming worked as
the manager at his in-laws’ textile plant
during the Sino-Japanese War. He moved
with his family to Hong Kong in 1947. There, he quickly built
up his own textiles empire, before entering the property
development business in 1977.
Hong Kong’s renowned Discovery Bay had been erected
a few years earlier, but was at risk of closure. Without any
real estate experience, Chi-ming bought the property. His
vision was fulfilled. Discovery Bay today hosts 20,
residents, occupying land that is equivalent to eight per cent
of the size of Hong Kong, and its enormous development
over the past four decades speaks to its success.Victor was appointed Managing Director of HKRI
in 2001. Contrary to the Chinese proverb “wealth doesn’t
last for more than three generations”, he aims to not
just carry on his father’s efforts, but to build on that
success. Despite this vision, he hasn’t forgotten the lessons
imparted by Chi-ming.
“I remember my father used to say, ‘One year running
a textile plant is like five years in the fields, and one year
running a property business is like five years running a
factory,’” recalls Victor. “What he meant was that HKRI
isn’t a licence to print money. It takes hard work and
dedication from everyone involved. I believe the best way
to encourage that is by setting out a clear corporate vision,
mission and values, and cascading them down to all employees.
That way, everyone is aligned, and their efforts are focused
on doing what matters most.”CARRYING ON FROM HIS FATHER’S BUSINESS PHILOSOPHY,
MANAGING DIRECTOR VICTOR CHA MOU ZING PAYS HOMAGE
TO THE PAST AND MAKES PLANS FOR THE FUTURE, ENSURING
HKR INTERNATIONAL LIMITED REMAINS A POWERFUL FORCE
IN ASIA’S PROPERTY DEVELOPMENT MARKET.WORDS OLIVER FEATHERSTON • IMAGES HKR INTERNATIONALYOU CAN’T
LET OBSTACLES
STOP YOU.
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Interview | INSPIRE