Peter Woo
Peter Woo Kwong-ching, GBM, GBS, JP (Chinese: 吳光正; born September 5, 1946) is a Hong Kong billionaire businessman. He was the chairman of Wheelock and Company Limited (SEHK: 20)and The Wharf Holdings Limited (SEHK: 4) until 19 May 2015. As of May 2017, his net worth is estimated to be $10.3 billion.[1]
Peter Woo | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Born | Woo Kwong-ching September 5, 1946 Shanghai, China | ||||||||
| Education | University of Cincinnati Columbia Business School | ||||||||
| Occupation | Former chairman of Wheelock and Company Limited and The Wharf Holdings Limited | ||||||||
| Net worth | $10.3 billion (October 2019)[1] | ||||||||
| Spouse(s) | Bessie Pao Pui-yung | ||||||||
| Children | 3 (including Douglas Woo) | ||||||||
| Relatives | Yue-kong Pao (father-in-law) | ||||||||
| Chinese name | |||||||||
| Traditional Chinese | 吳光正 | ||||||||
| Simplified Chinese | 吴光正 | ||||||||
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Education
Woo was born in Shanghai and moved to Hong Kong in 1949. He was educated at St Stephen's College, a Direct Subsidy Scheme privately owned but government-funded boarding school (which is also Hong Kong's largest secondary school), in the town of Stanley, and went on to attain his bachelor's degree from the University of Cincinnati, US, majoring in physics and mathematics. While a student, Woo became a member of Delta Tau Delta fraternity, an endeavour he is still involved in today. He later obtained an MBA from Columbia Business School in New York, US.
Life and career
After graduating, Woo worked at Chase Manhattan Bank in New York and Hong Kong.
Woo's diversified interests are reflected in his businesses, focusing in real estate development in Hong Kong, China and Singapore. The group owns several investment properties such as Harbour City and Times Square in Hong Kong, as well as operating other businesses such as i-Cable Communications, Wharf New T&T, Modern Terminals Limited and Marco Polo Hotels. Woo also owns the privately held, high-end luxury retail group LCJG, which includes Lane Crawford and the premier fashion house, Joyce. Woo also serves on the advisory board for various Fortune 500 companies.
Political and non-profit
Woo is a member of the Standing Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference.
His past appointments include:
- Chairman of the Council of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University from 1993 to 1997.
- Founding chairman of the Hong Kong Environment and Conservation Fund Committee in 1994 until 2004.
- Chairman of the Hong Kong Hospital Authority from 1995 to 2000.
- Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council from 2000 to 2007.
In 1996, Woo ran in the First Hong Kong Chief Executive Election just before the British colony was handed over back to Chinese rule, alongside Yang Ti-liang and Tung Chee-hwa. Tung won.
Achievements and honours
The Hong Kong SAR Government appointed Woo Justice of the Peace in 1993, awarded the Gold Bauhinia Star in 1998 and the Grand Bauhinia Medal in 2012.[2]
References
- "Forbes profile: Peter Woo". Forbes. Retrieved 4 April 2019.
- Honours List, , 30 June 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2015.
External links
- Peter Woo
- Wheelock
- Hong Kong Portraits of Power - Evelyn Huang and Lawrence Jeffrey, Little Brown 1995, p 102
- Forbes List
| Political offices | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by Sir Chung Sze-yuen |
Chairman of the Hospital Authority 1995–2000 |
Succeeded by Lo Ka-shui |
| Preceded by Victor Fung |
Chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council 2000–2007 |
Succeeded by Jack So |
| Order of precedence | ||
| Preceded by Wong Yan-lung Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |
Hong Kong order of precedence Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |
Succeeded by Lui Che Woo Recipient of the Grand Bauhinia Medal |