Kenneth Fang
Dr Kenneth Fang Hung GBS CBE JP (Chinese: 方鏗; November 20, 1938 - August 28, 2022) was a Hong Kong industrialist and philanthropist. Fang was the chairman of Fang Brothers Holdings Limited and Fang Brothers Knitting Limited. He was known as the "King of Textiles" in Hong Kong.[1][2]
Dr Kenneth Fang Hung | |||
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方鏗 | |||
Born | November 20, 1938 | ||
Died | August 28, 2022 83) | (aged||
Nationality | Hong Konger | ||
Alma mater | University of Michigan Massachusetts Institute of Technology | ||
Occupation(s) | Businessman, philanthropist | ||
Children | Katherine Fang (Daughter)
Susanna Fang (Daughter) Jean Fang (Daughter) Douglas Fang (Son) | ||
Relatives | Vincent Fang (Brother) | ||
Chinese name | |||
Chinese | 方鏗 | ||
|
Career
Fang was the chairman of Fang Brothers Holdings Limited and Fang Brothers Knitting Limited, one of the largest textile manufacturers and exporters in Hong Kong. The Fang family is one of the "Four Major Families" of Hong Kong's garment and fashion industry.[3][4][5]
Fang was also the chairman of Yeebo International Holdings Limited (SEHK: 259)[6][7] and owner of knitwear brand Pringle of Scotland.[8] In 2009, he sold the Shanghai-based hypermarket chain Times Ltd for US$630 million to Lotte Shopping.[9][10][11]
Fang was an independent non-executive director of Wing Tai Properties Limited, Jiangsu Expressway Company Limited, and Nan Hai Corporation Limited.[12] He was also a non-Executive Director of the Hongkong and Shanghai Banking Corporation.
Political
Fang was a member of the National Committee of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, and a member of the Standing Committee of Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference of Jiangsu Province.
Some of his past appointments include:[12][13]
- Chairman of the Hong Kong Productivity Council
- Chairman of the Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel
- Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong General Chamber of Textiles
- Honorary Chairman of the Hong Kong Textile Council
- Member of the Election Committee (Hong Kong)
- Member of the Hong Kong Affair Advisers to Beijing
- Member of the Textile Advisory Board of the Hong Kong Government
Awards
The Hong Kong SAR Government awarded Fang the Gold Bauhinia Star, the Order of the British Empire, and the Justice of the Peace.
He was also awarded the Industrialist of the Year by the Federation of Hong Kong Industries in 2002, Honorary University Fellow by the University of Hong Kong in 2002, Honorary Degree of Doctor of Business Administration by the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2005, the Outstanding Leader in Business by the Sing Tao News Corporation in 2011, as well as a Honorary Doctorate in May 2014 by the Nanjing University.[14]
Personal life
Fang was married, with three daughters and one son, Katherine, Susanna, Jean, and Douglas.
His younger brother is Vincent Fang, former leader of the Liberal Party in Hong Kong and former member of the Legislative Council of Hong Kong.
References
- "In Memoriam: Dr. Kenneth Fang Hung, GBS, JP | HKBU Foundation". foundation.hkbu.edu.hk.
- "麻省理工學霸 紡織起家卻出售65家超市給樂天 如今坐擁10億身家".
- "香港纺织零售巨头方铿 看好中国经济_纺织新闻_资讯_杭州纺织网". www.hztex.com.
- "香港回归20周年,"纺织大王"方铿的故事". www.sohu.com. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- "香港纺织大王门前宝马遭纵火 否认与人结怨(图)". www.chinanews.com.cn. Retrieved 2022-11-03.
- "Fang to take helm at Yeebo after restructure". South China Morning Post. 1997-04-19. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- "Yeebo white knight to save face as well". South China Morning Post. 1997-03-24. Retrieved 2023-01-27.
- "Hong Kong magnate poised to buy Pringle". HeraldScotland. 2000-02-14. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
- Flannery, Russell. "What Slowdown?". Forbes.
- "South Korea's Lotte To Expand In China". Forbes. Retrieved 2022-12-03.
- "针织大王套现过冬 时代零售或许是方氏家族度过此轮危机最有力的后盾_滚动新闻_新浪财经_新浪网". finance.sina.com.cn. Retrieved 2023-07-18.
- "Webb-site Who's Who: Fang, Kenneth Hung 方鏗". webb-site.com. Retrieved 2023-05-23.
- "Mr Kenneth FANG Hung - Honorary University Fellows - Honorary University Fellowships". www4.hku.hk.
- "方鏗". 百度百科. Retrieved 2022-09-28.