Baker’s Dozen

Thirty-four intrepid individuals signed up for the club in recent months; here we meet the boldest 13 who supplied mugshots and a bonsai CV for the delectation of their fellow members.

Marc Baloch

I have called Hong Kong home for over 13 years. Having lived in Tokyo, Singapore and Hong Kong, I probably know this part of the world now better than my home country, Germany.

I founded Resonance Asia, which has o ces in Hong Kong and Tokyo; we aspire to open one in Singapore soon. I am a leadership consultant with a strong focus on helping nancial services clients transform and improve their organisations. Some call it headhunting – but that word is too transactional in nature.

My wife Narcisa is a jewellery designer. We have two teenage daughters to help us keep up with what is going on.

Roxie Houge

I moved to Hong Kong in September 2022 to serve as Chief of the Economic and Political Section of the US Consulate General. I’ve worked as a diplomat in Europe, Africa, Central Asia, Australia and Washington, have visited more than 80 countries and speak six languages, including Cantonese. Because I’m a hiker and a foodie, Hong Kong is one of my favourite cities. Apart from having lunch and attending events at the FCC, I’ve enjoyed going to M+ in West Kowloon, climbing up Tai Mo Shan, sampling restaurants in SoHo, hiking the Dragon’s Back Trail and Cape d’Aguilar and feasting on roasted goose in Sham Tseng.

LAM

KWOK-HING

I am the chairman of a local listed company and the Honorary Consul of the Republic of Senegal in Hong Kong. My greatest interest is spending time with my family and friends, which lls me with positive energy. I nd great satisfaction and delight in being with friends with the same goals – and spirit – in promoting charitable causes and helping those in need. I wish to see more smiling faces and positive vibes.

Timothy Davis

I arrived in Hong Kong in 1989 for a job with the government. I left the government sector in 2006 and moved into corporate security and resilience in the nancial sector, and am based in Hong Kong and the Philippines. I have been attending FCC events for 30 years with friends who are members, and for many years I have sung in the club at Christmas with the Hong Kong Welsh Male Voice Choir. I am delighted to have now been accepted as a member of Hong Kong’s nest club, not least because I can now pick up the tab for my generous – and very patient – member friends.

Caleb Loong

I was born and raised in Hong Kong. I spent four years in the US studying journalism, which turned out to be some of the best years in my life. I currently work for Now TV and am in charge of the English news team; previously, I spent more than six years at TVB News as an English reporter. I started o as a Chinese reporter, but eventually decided to shift track and focus on English reporting instead. In my free time, I enjoy cooking, as well as watching college sports on TV.

Gregory May

Neville Metcalfe

Originally from Bradford, England, I moved to Hong Kong in 2005 and then to Shanghai in 2008 for two years before returning chastened and somewhat wiser about life.

I’m the former chairman of Hong Kong Rugby League and founded HKTag, a mini version of the game. Spreading the gospel of rugby league is an uphill battle in rugby-union-dominated Hong Kong, but we have a loyal following and have hosted some incredible games. I support the once mighty – but now diminished – Bradford Bulls.

My interests include a recent middle-aged malady, Lego-building and the more tried-and-tested pastime of supping ale and wine. My favourite regular reads are Viz , Private Eye and FT Weekend

Syed Pervez Hussain

In 1993, after studying Chinese in college, I went to Taiwan to try to nd my rst “real job”. I came across a help-wanted sign for Community Radio Taipei, an English-language radio station, and began work as a reporter. On the side, I worked as a stringer and xer for Newsweek and CNN, among other outlets. I eventually left journalism in favour of the US Foreign Service. Because of this experience, I have great respect for journalists. I believe a strong press keeps governments accountable and is essential for a healthy democracy. I could not be prouder to be an FCC member. I look forward to supporting the FCC’s mission in Hong Kong, learning from the members and raising a glass with you.

I was raised in Hong Kong and am uent in English, Urdu, Cantonese and Punjabi. I started my career in trading over 40 years ago and am chairman, founder and CEO of the Syed Group of Companies. I currently serve as the Honorary Consul (Investments) of Pakistan in Hong Kong. From 2002 to 2005, I served as Ambassador of Pakistan to the Republic of Korea. I have a passion for thoroughbred racehorses and own a number of horses who compete all over the world. I have a sizeable interest in Black Sheep Restaurants, and also handle La Parrilla Steakhouse in Hong Kong.

Peter Szekely

I am from a small town outside Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada and rst came to Hong Kong in 1997. I studied Chinese at Middlebury College, which led me to the region. I am married with twin boys. I continue to enjoy playing ice hockey and am an avid skier. I head Tanarra Credit Partners, a regional credit fund management business.

I’ve returned to Hong Kong after almost 30 years to join AFP’s Asia Desk as a Senior Editor. I spent most of the intervening period as a reporter and editor around Asia and the Paci c for Reuters. at included covering the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan – I coincided with the US troop “surges” in both places and was bureau chief in Kabul for a time. I still have a couple of suits made by Nice Dresses World Kabul, a worthy rival to Sam’s Tailor in Hong Kong. An extended sabbatical by a beach in Australia led to me producing my rst book, a nonction account of a little-known World War One episode – but the call of the newsroom proved too strong.

Angie Tse

I am a very proud Hongkonger. Since I graduated from school, I’ve worked for international and local NGOs, including Greenpeace, HER Fund, Amnesty International and Resolve Foundation, hoping to make Hong Kong a better place for all. I completed an MBA at e University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2020. In June 2022, I joined the Hong Kong Maritime Museum as the Head of Development. My goals in 2023: read more, travel more and exercise more – especially through squash and kickboxing.

Pierre Widmer

Hong Kong has been my home for 12 years. I love travelling both for business and leisure around Asia. I grew up in Switzerland and my mum was from Malta, a small, wonderful island with probably some of the best scuba diving in the Mediterranean – I’m happy to share recommendations. I love outdoor sports –running, skiing or hiking. I am a banker, as was my dad, and markets still fascinate me, even after 30 years in the business. I make sure good books and movies are always within reach. I treasure the FCC as a little oasis of peace and inspiration, where I can have great conversations. linkedin.com/in/pierrewidmer

SHIRLEY WONG linkedin.com/in/shirleywong123

In the summer of 2021, my friend brought me to the FCC. I was awestruck the moment I entered the Main Bar. e decor and vibes reminded of me when I worked at the UN’s Department of Public Information in New York in my early 20s. I still have fond memories of those daily press brie ngs, the mostly intensive interactions with the international press corps and the public – as well as, of course, the UN Delegates Lounge, where many journalists believe that actual diplomacy and negotiations take place, under the radar. I am totally delighted to join the FCC and become part of such a vibrant community.

Professional Contacts

PHOTOGRAPHERS

CARSTENSCHAEL.COM – Award-winning

Photographer. People - Corporate - Stills - FoodArchitecture - Transport. Tel: (852) 9468 1404

Email: info@carstenschael.com

JAYNE RUSSELL PHOTOGRAPHY – EditorialPeople - Food. 18 years Fleet St, London experience. Tel: (852) 9757 8607 Email: jaynerussell@me.com Website: www.jaynerussellphotography.com

AND YET MORE NEW MEMBERS:

MICHAEL BUGEL

Managing Director, Alternative Investment Management Association

WENWEN CHAI Senior Associate, Karas

HENRY CHAN Honorary Consul of Namibia

PAUL CHRISTOPHER Managing Partner, Mourant Ozannes

COLIN CROSBY Deputy Consul General, US Consulate

CHARLES DONOHOE Director, BlackRock

VICKY FENG Video Producer, Bloomberg

ROBIN HARDING Asia Editor, Financial Times

LUCY JENKINS

Wine and Spirits Director, Tasting Kitchen

KLÁRA JURČOVÁ Consul General, Czech Republic

MATTHEW LAM Honorary Consul of Estonia

FRANCIS LAW Executive Director, Toyo Mall

LI XIAOBING

President, South China & Hong Kong, ZIM Integrated Shipping Services

MICHAEL LIN US Patent Attorney, Marks & Clerk

RAJ SITALDAS MOTWANI Honorary Consul of Lithuania

GARETH SHAW

Captain, Jet Aviation

MINNY SIU Partner, King & Wood Mallesons

MARCO WARMELINK Partner, Oliver Wyman

DAVID WATT

Senior Advisor, BentallGreenOak

ROBERT YANG Retired

GARY YIN Partner, Simmons & Simmons

HOUR OF LOVE - AM 1044 METRO PLUS Prison Visitation on the Air Every Sunday 8:30-11:00 pm Live on Facebook