Bernard Chan

Bernard Charnwut Chan is a business leader, cultural advocate, and public servant with a distinguished record of service in Hong Kong and the region. Born in 1965 into a Thai-Chinese family in Hong Kong, he earned a degree in studio art from Pomona College in the United States. He began his career in investment banking in New York before returning to Hong Kong to join the family’s private investment company. He later transitioned to Asia Financial Holdings, a publicly listed firm where he currently serves as Chairman and President. He is also Chairman of Asia Insurance, recognised as one of Hong Kong’s most financially robust insurers.

Chan holds directorships in several companies locally and internationally, including Bumrungrad Hospital Public Company Limited in Thailand. He is Chairman of the Hong Kong-Thailand Business Council, an advisor to Bangkok Bank (China) Co. Ltd., and a director of the Alibaba Entrepreneurs Fund in Hong Kong.

Chan’s commitment to cultural and heritage preservation is reflected in leadership roles such as Chairman of the Antiquities Advisory Board, Chairman of the Advisory Committee on Revitalisation of Historic Buildings, and Founding Chairman of the Hong Kong Palace Museum Ltd. He is currently Chairman of M+ Museum and Vice Chairman of the West Kowloon Cultural District Authority. He also chairs Tai Kwun Culture & Arts Co. Ltd. and serves as patron of the Photographic Heritage Foundation. Chan was appointed Chairman of the Committee on Reduction of Salt and Sugar in Food in 2015. In July 2017, he became Vice Chairman of the Board of Governors of Our Hong Kong Foundation, the Executive Vice Chairman in September 2022, then became the Chairman in September 2023.

A longstanding advocate for social welfare, Chan has worked to foster partnerships between the business sector and community organisations. As chairperson of the Hong Kong Council of Social Service, he played a leading role in establishing the Caring Company scheme. He also served as Vice Chairman of Oxfam Hong Kong and continues as chairman of its annual Trailwalker event.

He has received numerous honours for his public service, including appointment as a Justice of the Peace (2002), Commander of the Most Noble Order of the Crown of Thailand (2004), the Gold Bauhinia Star (2006), and the Grand Bauhinia Medal (2020), Hong Kong’s highest civilian award. He is an Honorary Fellow of the Hong Kong Institute of Architectural Conservationists, Honorary Professor at The University of Hong Kong, and holds an Honorary Doctorate of Humane Letters from SCAD Hong Kong.