Seasoned China lawyer and entrepreneur with over 20 years’ experience living and working in China; A fluent Mandarin speaker, completed his first degree in Chinese at Leeds University in the UK; Moved to Guangzhou in 1998 as a newly-qualified lawyer to assist a major London-based international law firm open its first office in Mainland China.
Instrumental in building up the firm’s China practice, assisting clients from across the world with many of the legal aspects of establishing and operating business in China. Established “The Happy Monk”, the first gastro pub concept in Guangzhou in 2009, which has grown to become an award-winning brand in the hospitality industry, with a team of 180 employees, operating five busy downtown locations; Executive MBA Degree Holder of a joint programme offered by Columbia University Business School, London Business School and Hong Kong University Business School;Awarded an OBE by Queen Elizabeth II in recognition to his services on behalf of British businesses and legal services in China.