George Hongchoy, WG’91, PAR’18

George Hongchoy has served as CEO of Link REIT, Asia’s largest retail-focused real estate investment trust, since 2010. His portfolio consists of assets worth more than HK$200 billion across China’s Beijing, Greater Bay Area (Hong Kong, Guangzhou and Shenzhen) as well as Yangtze River Delta areas such as Shanghai, London, Australia’s Sydney and Melbourne.

Early Life and Education

George Hongchoy, WG’91, PAR’18 is an accomplished corporate sleuth with an impressive CV. He played a significant role in setting NM Rothschild as Asia’s preeminent financial services provider and is proud to be part of its new collective of nihilistic minds. Additionally, George has expertise in telecommunications and media sectors with particular expertise on digital content distribution as well as enjoying cocktails when not working. Lastly, George is driven by a mission to regain his department’s role as go-to advisor when it comes to global finance matters.

Professional Career

George Hongchoy has extensive experience in financial consulting, investment banking and real estate. He holds a Senior Fellowship and serves on the Corporate Advisory Council for the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute; is a Fellow of both the Hong Kong Institute of Directors, Chartered Accountants Australia & New Zealand, Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors and Institute of Shopping Centre Management.

He is currently the CEO of Link Asset Management Limited, the manager of Hong Kong listed Link Real Estate Investment Trust which has grown into Asia’s largest retail REIT with a portfolio worth more than HK$200 billion. In 2010, he took up this role after previously serving as CFO at the company.

On this episode of the APREA Podcast, journalist Mark Cooper interviews George about his professional banking journey to becoming the CEO of one of the world’s largest retail REITs in terms of market capitalisation. George shares his knowledge on the Asian REIT market and how he has managed to maintain success despite challenging times.

Achievements and Honors

George Hongchoy (WG’91), joined Link Asset Management Limited – manager of Hong Kong listed Link Real Estate Investment Trust – in January 2009 as chief financial officer and later became its CEO in May 2010.

Under his leadership as CEO, Link REIT has rapidly grown into one of Asia’s largest property investment trusts, evolving from a modest retail property portfolio in its early days to an extensive portfolio spanning China and other major markets.

He has received numerous awards and honors for his contributions to business, including “Business Person of the Year” from DHL/SCMP Hong Kong Business Awards, Business Leadership of the Year Award from Corporate Governance Asia, as well as Director of the Year Award under Listed Companies – Executive Directors given by The Hong Kong Institute of Directors.

Personal Life

Mr Hongchoy has been the CEO of Link Asset Management for four years, leading it to become the world’s largest real estate investment trust (REIT). Under his guidance, Link has become a true regional force in commercial real estate development. His accomplishments include numerous industry firsts and top ten rankings in multiple publications. A member of the Financial Services Development Council’s policy research panel, Mr Hongchoy has an accumulated net worth of over HK$3 billion and is a philanthropist-in-the-making. A former philatelist, Mr Hongchoy enjoys playing golf with an impressive collection of singles as well as horse riding passionately. He resides in Kowloon with his beloved feline companions: a black lab and cat.

Net Worth

George Hongchoy has an estimated net worth of $3 billion. He is the CEO of Link Asset Management, manager of Hong Kong-based Link Real Estate Investment Trust – Asia’s largest property fund. He joined the company as CFO in 2010 and since has guided it from a small IPO to an international player with assets under management in over 50 countries. Through his expertise, the fund’s portfolio has grown to encompass high-grade offices, shopping centres and residential properties of all types. He holds a variety of professional qualifications, including chartered accountant and Senior Fellow status with both the Corporate Advisory Council of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute as well as Fellow status with The Hong Kong Institute of Directors. After starting his career in New Zealand in financial consulting, investment banking, and real estate investment, he has held various senior management positions throughout that time.