Francis Choi
Francis Choi Chee-ming, GBS, JP (Chinese: 蔡志明; born 1945) is a Hong Kong businessman and billionaire.
Francis Choi | |||||||
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| Born | 蔡志明 Choi Chee-ming 1945 (age 74–75) Jieyang, Guangdong, China | ||||||
| Occupation | Founder and chairman of Early Light International (Holdings) Ltd. | ||||||
| Known for | Toy manufacturer, and property developer | ||||||
| Net worth | $3.8 billion (February 2015)[1] | ||||||
| Spouse(s) | Lee Wai-lei | ||||||
| Children | 3 | ||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||
| Chinese | 蔡志明 | ||||||
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Choi is the founder and chairman of Early Light International (Holdings) Ltd., the largest manufacturer of toys in the world.[2] He is nicknamed "the King of Toys".[3] Choi is self-made, having started his professional life as a toy salesman, and is on the Forbes list of Hong Kong's 40 richest people, and No.564 in the world in 2011.[4]
Early life
Choi was born in Guangdong Province, but grew up in Hong Kong.
Career
In 1972, Choi was a 25-year-old toy salesman opened his first toy factory. Within five years, his business had grown to 300 employees. He began his relationship with toy giant, Mattel, Inc. during his first decade in business. Before long, his company was manufacturing Snoopy merchandise for Mattel.
Choi is a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference.[5] He is Chairman of Early Light International (Holdings) Ltd., the company he founded.
He also owns sizeable stakes in listed companies Town Health International and Regal Hotels International,[5] as well as being Vice Chairman of the Regal board.[4] Choi is an avid watch collector, and also owns a chain of watch retailers.[4]
Personal life
Choi and his wife have three children and they live in Hong Kong.[1] Choi also has some grandchildren, including two sets of twins. Choi collects cars, watches and horses.
References
- "Francis Choi". Forbes. Retrieved 23 February 2015.
- 蔡志明：議會罵戰累死香港(sub-section), East Week (Hong Kong)
- Flannery, Russell (23 Mar. 2011). Hong Kong Billionaire Francis Choi Turns Passion Into New Business, Forbes
- Chen, Shu-Ching Jean (28 January 2008). "Cover Story: Choi's Toys". Forbes.
| Order of precedence | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Kevin Ho Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star |
Hong Kong order of precedence Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star |
Succeeded by Alice Tai Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star |