Johnny Hon


Johnny Sei-Hoe Hon is a Hong Kong businessman and politician. He is the founder and executive chairman of Global Group International Holdings Ltd., a company he established after working at ABN AMRO Bank in Hong Kong. Hon is experienced in various fields of the financial industry including financial planning, lending, portfolio management, tax structuring and trust formation and is currently most notable for his media ventures and work as an executive producer in the film and television industry, as well as live theater.

Early life and education

Johnny Hon was born in Hong Kong on 22 December 1971 to Hon Tak Sun, and Wong Ling ; he is the eldest of their two sons. Hon now has four daughters and one son. At age 13, Hon left Hong Kong to study at Uppingham School in the United Kingdom. In 1990, he went on to attend King's College London and graduated in 1993. Hon then attended Hughes Hall, Cambridge where he obtained his Ph.D. in Psychiatry. He also holds an M.A. degree in Korean Studies studied at The School of Oriental & African Studies, University of London and he holds postgraduate certifications at Harvard University.

Career

After obtaining his Ph.D., Hon began his career in the private banking sector at ABN AMRO Bank in Hong Kong. He left private banking in 1997 and established Global Group International Holdings Ltd., which developed into an international venture capital company involved in banking, biotechnology, education, entertainment, leisure, financial services, financial technology, gaming, media, mining, oil and gas, property development and sports.
Global Group's media and entertainment investments include a number of international projects such as W, a biographical drama produced by Oliver Stone that explored the life and presidency of George W. Bush. He was also executive producer of the film Protégé produced by Derek Yee, and the TV drama series in China, Da Ren Wu. His latest film investment, Theory of Ambitions, is a Hong Kong crime thriller directed by Philip Yung and starring Tony Leung Chiu-wai and Aaron Kwok; the film is set to release the end of 2018.
Hon is also involved in the theatre business, and worked as executive producer with Michael Linnit and Michael Grade on the revival of Sunset Boulevard starring Glenn Close. He was also executive producer of the West End musical, 42nd Street.
Hon has investments in fine art, wine collection, and horse racing. He has recently hired French jockey, Gerald Mossé, as his principal rider for his stable of over 40 horses in the United Kingdom and internationally.

Philanthropy

The Global Group is an active sponsor of various educational funds and scholarships in both China and UK, including for University of Oxford and Peking University. The educational scholarships were created to open up opportunities for Chinese students. In July 2015, Hon was awarded the Medal of Honour from the Government of Hong Kong SAR for his contributions to the Lok Sin Tong Benevolent Society, Kowloon.
He is a Fellow of the Duke of Edinburgh Award World Fellowship and in 2016 was the first to be awarded the title of Diamond Benefactor for his contributions to the Fellowship. Hon is also a Founder Benefactor of Asia House and Vice President of the 48 Group Club in the United Kingdom.
In early 2018, Hon was a Major Donor of the New Countryside Construction Project in Xiaping Village, which is located in Yunfu City within China's Guangdong Province. The construction project increases government investment in agriculture, expanding rural areas and the fiscal coverage of rural areas and infrastructure.

Politics

Hon has involvement in a range of diplomatic and political projects. He holds official positions within four governments.

Armenia

In 2012, Hon was appointed adviser to the Minister of Economy of Armenia.

China

Hon is a member of the 12th Heilongjiang Provincial Standing Committee, Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. He is a former Member of the 10th Heilongjiang Provincial CPPCC, the 11th Heilongjiang Provincial CPPCC, and a former Member of the 6th Yunfu Municipal Committee, CPPCC as well the 5th Yunfu Municipal Committee, CPPCC.
Further, Hon is an Economic Adviser for a number of local governments within China, including the People's Government of Jilin Province and the People's Government of Yuyao City in Zhejiang Province.

Grenada

Hon is the Ambassador-at-large for Grenada and the Honorary Consul of Grenada in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong SAR (China)

Hon has been a long-standing member of the New People's Party in Hong Kong since it was established in 2011 by Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee GBS JP, and was appointed as a Vice Chairman of the Party in January 2019.

North Korea

In 2007, Hon said, “No prize in the world is as prestigious as the ‘International Kim Il Sung Prize. As chairman of the International Kim Il Sung Foundation, I will make every possible effort to carry out the noble cause started by the President, deeply aware of the mission I have assumed before the times and humankind.’” The International Kim Il Sung Prize is an award conferred for contributions to the study and dissemination of the Juche idea.

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines

In 2002, Hon was the Commercial Representative for Saint Vincent and the Grenadines in Hong Kong and Singapore.

Arms

Hon was granted arms by the Lord Lyon Court in 2018.

Publications