Cover From top left: Arthur de Villepin, Gregory Van, Marco Galimberti, Linda Lam, Kam Shing Kwang, Elaine Kwok (Photo: Billy Chan)

We hosted the tenth edition of our roundtable series, The Catalyst Series, on November 16 with the banking veteran as our guest speaker

Taking place over a private lunch at Tatler House Hong Kong, The Catalyst Series provides entrepreneurs with an opportunity to learn through an open, moderated discussion with their peers and experts from J.P. Morgan Private Bank, with whom we have co-organised the series.

This edition featured guest speaker Kam Shing Kwang. Kwang has been with J.P. Morgan for over 25 years. The event occurred within days of an announcement that she would take on a new role as chairwoman of North Asia for the bank. Harshika Patel will succeed her as CEO of the Asia Private Bank.

Several business leaders joined Kwang at the event to discuss the changing role of Hong Kong in the larger global economy.

Read more: Why startups need heart to match their hype

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Photo 1 of 6 Kam Shing Kwang (Photo: Billy Chan)
Photo 2 of 6 Elaine Kwok (Photo: Billy Chan)
Photo 3 of 6 Linda Lam (Photo: Billy Chan)
Photo 4 of 6 Gregory Van (Photo: Billy Chan)
Photo 5 of 6 Arthur de Villepin (Photo: Billy Chan)
Photo 6 of 6 Kam Shing Kwang exchanging business cards with Marco Galimberti (Photo: Billy Chan)

In attendance at the lunch was Marco Galimberti, Asia CEO of gourmet chocolate manufacturer Venchi; Elaine Kwok, managing partner of Asia at contemporary and modern art gallery Hauser and Wirth; Linda Lam, founder of jewellery brand Royan Jade; Gregory Van, CEO of wealth-tech company Endowus; and Arthur de Villepin, founder and CEO of art business group Art de Vivre.

Kwang spoke about how the 100 years J.P. Morgan had been a part of Hong Kong demonstrated the bank’s commitment to the city. She explained how the difference between Hong Kong and cities in greater China was its global connections. “Hong Kong is one of the world’s most open economies. So anything that happens anywhere is going to affect Hong Kong,” she said.

She also commented on the cyclical nature of the markets, that difficulty would test a business and make it stronger. “It's hard enough to start a successful business ordinarily. So to do so in hard times shows it’s a great one.”


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