Three Decades of Tutelage Before Command

“When he took over from his father in 1990 after nearly three decades of tutelage, Hong Leong and its subsidiary companies were largely focused on Singapore with scattered business interests in a few Asian territories, such as Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Taiwan and mainland China. Kwek turned it into a bona fide global enterprise with businesses in five continents, including at one point listing his proud hotel empire on the London Stock Exchange — the first Singapore company to do so.”

“His office building Republic Plaza was once the joint tallest in Singapore, and his crown jewel condominium The Sail was at one point the world’s tallest residential property. Both remain downtown landmarks. Some of the best hotels in the country are his, including the St. Regis, JW Marriott, W in Sentosa, and the new Singapore EDITION Hotel.”