Educational Background
Degrees
- B.Eng. in Mechanical Engineering, HKU
- M.Sc. in Finance, CUHK
- LL.M. in Corporate & Financial Laws, HKU
- Doctor of International Real Estate and Construction (DIREC), PolyU
Chartership
- Chartered Financial Analyst (“CFA”)
- Chartered Actuary - Fellow of Society of Actuaries (“FSA”)
- Chartered Valuation Surveyor – Member of Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (“MRICS”)
- Chartered Global Management Accountant (“CGMA”)
- Certified Practising Accountant of Australia (“CPA Aust.”)
Industry Sector
- 10 years in Banking & Finance
- 10 years in Insurance & Asset Management
- 10 years in Real Estate
Key Professional Achievements
I am a seasoned professional with 30 years of diverse experience across finance, insurance, and real estate. I held senior roles at HSBC Group & Generali Group and began my career as a trainee at Swire Group. I had served as Head of Investment for HSBC Life (Taiwan), Hang Seng Insurance and Generali Hong Kong. My core competencies include investment, actuarial pricing, financial engineering and balance sheet management.
Having clocked stints at HSBC, Italian bank Intesa and Italian insurer Generali across a two-decade finance career, I currently serve as Investment Director at KHI Holdings Group (a family office), where I focus on property investment projects.
Reasons for Pursuing a Doctorate Programme
My pursuit of the doctorate programme stems from a lifelong commitment to continuous learning and intellectual growth. Having worked across finance, insurance, and real estate, I realised that true leadership requires not only technical expertise but also the ability to integrate knowledge across disciplines. The doctorate represents a natural extension of my journey — an opportunity to deepen my understanding of real estate and construction while sharpening my analytical and strategic thinking. I see education as a catalyst for innovation: each qualification I have earned has expanded my perspective, enabling me to approach challenges with creativity and resilience. The doctorate programme allows me to formalize this pursuit, equipping me with advanced research skills and a broader framework to contribute meaningfully to both industry and academia.
Why do you choose PolyU DIREC Programme
PolyU’s DIREC programme stood out as the ideal choice because of its unique interdisciplinary design. While my professional background was rooted in finance and investment, my career increasingly demanded expertise in property development. The DIREC programme bridges this gap by combining real estate, construction, and urban development with global business perspectives. PolyU’s reputation for applied research and industry relevance further reinforced my decision, as I sought a programme that would not only provide academic rigor but also practical insights applicable to my current role. The DIREC curriculum aligns perfectly with my career trajectory, enabling me to integrate financial acumen with real estate expertise to drive sustainable investment strategies.
Overall Learning Experience from Studying DIREC Programme
Studying the DIREC programme has been transformative. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering areas such as urban design, construction technology, and real estate economics, which broadened my understanding beyond traditional finance. The programme emphasizes critical thinking and research, encouraging us to challenge assumptions and explore innovative solutions to real-world problems. Equally valuable has been the diverse cohort of professionals, whose varied backgrounds enriched discussions and fostered cross-disciplinary learning. This collaborative environment highlighted the importance of lifelong education in adapting to global shifts. The experience has not only enhanced my technical knowledge but also strengthened my ability to connect ideas across industries, reinforcing the value of holistic leadership in today’s complex business landscape.
Outcomes/Expectation from Studying DIREC Programme
The DIREC programme has broadened my professional outlook by integrating real estate and construction knowledge with my finance background. This interdisciplinary training enables me to evaluate investment opportunities from financial, technical, and environmental perspectives. My research on environmental financial products - such as carbon credits and biodiversity credits - has strengthened my ambition to design innovative funding solutions that address climate change and biodiversity loss.
Looking ahead, I expect to leverage this doctorate to advance thought leadership in environmental finance, bridging sustainable development with investment strategy. At the same time, I am keen to explore opportunities in the emerging NewSpace economy, projected to reach US$1.8 trillion by 2035. The DIREC programme provides the analytical and strategic foundation to contribute to this frontier, where sustainability and technological innovation intersect.
Ultimately, I see the outcomes of my doctoral journey not only in career advancement but also in creating long-term value for society - by promoting responsible property investment practices. In this way, my path reflects PolyU’s guiding motto: “To learn and to apply, for the benefits of mankind.”
Advice for Prospective Candidates
Embarking on the DIREC journey is both demanding and rewarding. My advice to prospective candidates is to embrace curiosity and remain open to perspectives beyond your discipline. The programme is not just about mastering real estate and construction — it is about cultivating the ability to synthesize knowledge across finance, law, design, and management. Be prepared to challenge your own assumptions and to learn as much from your peers as from the curriculum.
Remember that education is a lifelong pursuit: “The more you know, the more you realize you don’t know.” This humility is the foundation of growth. And as Robert Frost wrote, “Two roads diverged in a wood, and I took the one less travelled by, and that has made all the difference.” Choosing DIREC may feel like the less-travelled path, but it will equip you with the tools to lead with vision, resilience, and integrity in a complex business landscape.
