LAU Pak-shing

Mr LAU Pak-shing

Honorary University Fellow (2024)

“Focus on the big picture and keep your eyes on the future; actively innovate and always do your best.” These are the words that guided the illustrious path of Mr Lau Pak-shing, a distinguished entrepreneur renowned for his impressive business track record.

With an inquisitive mindset and a motivational leadership style, Mr Lau has accumulated extensive experience in auditing, accounting, corporate finance, cold storage chain logistics and real estate businesses. Most notably, Mr Lau served in various senior executive roles at China Resources Group, advising on the company’s strategies and performance. A humble and gracious alumnus, he has consistently shown his gratitude for his alma mater by generously supporting its developmental endeavours.

In the 1960s and 1970s, the medical, legal and accounting professions were commonly acknowledged as the top career aspirations in Hong Kong. Even as a teenager, Mr Lau had already set his sights on becoming an accountant, and engrossed himself in the finance pages of newspapers to understand the fundamentals of economics and the financial markets.

Mr Lau’s enrolment in the business management programme at the then Hong Kong Baptist College at the encouragement of his friends and former classmates heralded an enduring relationship with Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU). Following his graduation, Mr Lau worked in auditing full-time. However, with excellent time management skills and determination, he still managed to dedicate over 30 hours each week to self-study for professional accounting qualification at the same time. His perseverance and effort paid off in his successfully obtaining these qualifications.

Throughout his career, Mr Lau has always been a visionary who never lets an opportunity slip away. While working as an accounting manager in a listed company in financial trouble, he volunteered to take the lead in managing the financial operations of its struggling cold storage business. With great business acumen, he quickly mastered its operations and was later invited to join as the General Manager.  Having gained the opportunity to showcase his acuity, he got his new company’s cold storage business out of the red, then cemented its market dominance by acquiring its competitors until the market share had risen from less than 20% to a staggering 70%.

This remarkable feat caught the attention of the China Resources Group, as they also operated cold storage facilities. In an unprecedented move, they headhunted Mr Lau by offering him stock options. Under his leadership, new information systems were introduced, the workflow was streamlined, and staff members were encouraged to adopt a modernised work culture focusing on the big picture. The results were overwhelmingly positive with a two-fold increase in sales and tripled profits within three years.

It is said that “with great power, comes great responsibility”. Mr Lau’s flair for business earned him both as he became involved in the Group’s promising real estate business. His insights into Hong Kong’s housing boom resulted in his taking charge of the development of a 3,000-unit residential project in Tsing Yi which received a record-breaking 30,000 bids for Phase I units. He also directed the successful redevelopment of several department stores under the China Resources Group to turn them into shopping malls, catering to the younger generations of consumers.

Since joining the China Resources Group in 1993, Mr Lau has served as Executive Director and Deputy Managing Director of China Resources Enterprise, Limited, Executive Director of China Resources Land Limited and Assistant General Manager of the China Resources Group. He is currently an Independent Non-executive Director of CR Construction Company Limited (formerly known as China Resources Construction Company Limited). Throughout his different roles within the Group, Mr Lau has demonstrated strong business acumen, effective leadership, keen involvement and dedication. While he seeks to understand the workflow and constantly reviews areas for improvement to increase efficiency, he has never lost sight of the big picture.

Despite his impressive accomplishments in the commercial world, Mr Lau remains humble and eager to give back to his alma mater. Recalling his time on campus, he felt that HKBU represents an important gateway for students like himself to gain an education to realise their dreams and aspirations. While still a student, Mr Lau was inspired by President Emeritus Dr Daniel Tse Chi-wai’s call for alumni support, and he made a pledge to repay his alma mater when he has achieved financial success by helping others secure a good education and brighter future through donations.

Over the years, Mr Lau has given invaluable support to HKBU through various initiatives and donations that aim to enhance students’ quality of learning. He is an Honorary President of the HKBU Foundation and a member of its Alumni Committee. Since 2017, he has served as Vice-Chairman of the Organising Committee of the HKBU Golf Day, providing wise counsel and steadfast support to strengthen the University’s alumni connection and promote fundraising activities of the Foundation. In addition, he is also a Patron of the HKBU Century Club.

The Honorary University Fellowship is a befitting recognition of Mr Lau’s contribution to HKBU and the community. Staying true to his mottos in life, Mr Lau is committed to embracing a holistic picture and exploring new ways to benefit society and the community.