Kuok Hui Kwong Appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia, Effective Aug 1

Shangri-La Asia has appointed Kuok Hui Kwong as its new chief executive officer, effective August 1, 2023. This announcement, made on July 16, marks a significant leadership transition for the company, as Ms. Kuok takes on the dual role of chairman and CEO.

At 47 years old, Ms. Kuok has been serving as the executive director of Shangri-La Asia since June 2016 and has held the position of chairman since January 2017. She is the daughter of Robert Kuok, the founder of Shangri-La and Malaysia’s richest individual. The company expressed optimism about the new leadership structure, stating that combining the roles under Ms. Kuok will enhance strategic cohesion and operational execution.

Leadership Experience and Responsibilities

Shangri-La Asia emphasized that Ms. Kuok has played a crucial role in shaping the company’s strategic priorities and guiding it towards its goals since her appointment as executive director. The previous CEO, Lim Beng Chee, retired in December 2022 after nearly six years in the role, leaving the position vacant until now.

Under her current employment contract, Ms. Kuok is entitled to a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (approximately US$73,000), in addition to a discretionary bonus and pension. She holds a total direct and indirect interest in 95.57 million shares of Shangri-La Asia, which is listed on both the Hong Kong and Singapore exchanges.

Educational and Professional Background

Ms. Kuok’s qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard University. Her professional experience also includes directorships at the China World Trade Centre Company over the past three years. Additionally, she has previously served as managing director and chief executive of the SCMP Group and as a director of the Bangkok Post.

Shangri-La Asia’s decision to appoint Ms. Kuok is seen as a strategic move to ensure a unified vision across all leadership levels, reinforcing the company’s commitment to its objectives in the competitive hospitality industry.