CHANDRAN NAIR

Founder & Chief Executive Officer

Global Institute for Tomorrow (GIFT)

Professional Experience:

Chandran is dedicated to advancing the understanding of the impacts of globalisation and turning ideas into action through practical and long-term solutions. For over a decade Chandran has advocated a more sustainable approach to development in Asia and built Asia’s largest regional environmental consulting firm (20 offices in 12 countries).

Chandran served as Director of SUSDEV 21, which developed the framework for Hong Kong, reporting directly to the Chief Secretary and Chief Executive of HKSARG. Chandran has helped governments and corporations to instill these principles into their key decision-making processes.

Chandran is a speaker at international forums (WEF, APEC, OECD, etc.) and has earned a reputation for insightful observation on geo-political realities. He is a contributor of articles to leading international media (FT, New York Times, Huffington Post, Time, etc.) and appeared on interviews on BBC, CNN, Bloomberg, Al Jazeera, NBC, etc.

Chandran’s book ‘Consumptionomics: Asia’s role in reshaping capitalism and saving the planet’ is a candid appraisal of the western-motivated consumption-led growth model that has generated a much needed momentum for economists and politicians alike, to embark on a discourse that tackles head-on the controversial political challenges of our time.

Chandran’s international photojournalism initiative ‘The Other Hundred’ serves as a counterpoint to the media consensus on today’s most important issues and seeks to celebrate the stories of those that would never make it to the Top 100 lists.

Chandran plays the saxophone and used to head a band in Africa where he lived and worked as a volunteer in the field of water supply, sanitation, and public health.

Voluntary Contributions to Hong Kong:

Advisor to the Chairman, Council for Sustainable Development, HKSARG, 2004-2010.

Member, Steering Group, Council for Sustainable Development, HKSARG, 2004-2010.

Manager/Coach, Hong Kong Hockey Team, including two Asian Games, 1998, 2002.

Quote from Spencer Stuart Hong Kong:

A fabulous thinker who brings a world view to Hong Kong. Chandran brings a fresh set of eyes and creative thinking to some of Hong Kong’s big issues and is keen to make his contribution.

Candidate Profile

Human Resources Services