A Hong Kong-born businessman who has built up a thriving property business in his adopted home of New Zealand, along with Australia, has set his sights on growing in Asia and picked Hong Kong as the obvious base for this expansion.Starting out with a takeaway restaurant, Stonewood Group Founder John Chow built up a NZ$500 million (HK$2.6 billion or US$330 million) property group and has an eye for good deals. Hong Kong presents an incredible opportunity as a gateway to Asia, he believes.
Going global
“I am in the process of internationalising Stonewood Group with the key triangular base being formed between Hong Kong, New Zealand and Australia,” he said. “Hong Kong is my birthplace and I will always hold it close to me. I have always said that one day I will move back to Hong Kong, once again making it my home.”Outlining the company’s vision, Mr Chow said Stonewood aims to have assets worth NZ$2 billion by 2024 and Hong Kong business is an integral part of this vision.“I am currently on the ground with members of my core team looking to spend up to US$100 million to acquire an asset/fund management firm to continue to grow Stonewood Group globally.”Initially Stonewood will tap private equity in its expansion into Hong Kong but Mr Chow did not rule out stock listing in future. For the moment, however, Stonewood was best positioned to make value for private investors.Sticking to the entrepreneurs’ saying of “invest in what you know”, Stonewood will offer real-estate assets in Australia and New Zealand to investors in Hong Kong. The firm concentrates on quality assets such as the Pullman Rotorua hotel, set in the tourist magnet of Rotorua in the centre of North Island.
Knowledge base
Stonewood Group
