Peter Lam

{{Short description|Hong Kong businessman}} {{family name hatnote|Lam (林)|2=Peter Lam|3=Lam Kin-ngok|lang=Hong Kong}} {{Infobox person | honorific_prefix = The Honourable | name = Peter Lam | honorific_suffix = {{Post-nominals|country=HKG|size=100%|GBM|GBS}} | image = Peter Lam 2022.jpg | caption = Lam in 2022 | native_name = 林建岳 | father = | birth_name = Lam Kin-ngok | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1957|08|07}} | birth_place = Hong Kong | alma_mater = University of Oregon | children = | spouse = Hsieh Ling-Ling<br> (1980－1995) | occupation = Businessman | relatives = Pearl Lam (sister)<br>Lim Por-yen (father) }} '''Peter Lam Kin-ngok''', {{Post-nominals|country=HKG|GBM|GBS}} ({{lang-zh|t=林建岳}}, born 7 August 1957) is a Hong Kong businessman and billionaire who has developed a reputation in Hong Kong's business, media, and entertainment industry, as well as in Asia's hospitality and food and beverage industries.

Lam is the son of the late industrialist tycoon Lim Por-yen and his second wife U Po-chu. He is chairman of Lai Sun Development Company, Lai Fung Holdings,<ref>[https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/peter-lam Peter Lam], "https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/peter-lam",</ref> Hong Kong Tourism Board, and a director of e-Sun Holdings. In 2019, he became chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC). Lam also owns Media Asia Entertainment Group.

In 2008, Lam established Lai Sun Dining.<ref>{{cite web |title=LAI SUN DINING |url=https://laisundining.com/}}</ref> The group develops and operates high-end culinary concepts locally and abroad. Their portfolio currently encompasses 17 brands, 24 outlets, and 9 Michelin stars, including 3 Michelin-starred 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana, Beefbar, and China Tang in London, Hong Kong Landmark, and Harbor City.<ref>{{cite web |title=Lai Sun Group |url=http://www.laisun.com/lai-sun-development/en-US/Businesses/index/food_and_beverage |website=www.laisun.com}}</ref>

==Biography== Peter Lam Kin Ngok<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/peter-lam|title = Peter Lam}}</ref> was born in 1957 in Hong Kong to Teochew parents. He is the son of the industrialist tycoon Lim Por-yen and his second wife, U Po-Chu. He has two brothers, Lam Kin Ming and Matthew Lam. At the age of thirteen, he was sent to Canada for four years of high school at St. George's School, after which he attended the University of Oregon where he graduated in 1987. After his graduation, he returned to Hong Kong to help his father, eventually becoming the vice-chairman of Lai Sun Group.

In 1997, Lam purchased Furama Hotel for HK$6.9 billion to rebuild it even though the idea was strongly opposed by his father Lim Por-yen. It was during that time the Asian economic crisis struck and the property market nose-dived, forcing Lai Sun Group to borrow money from banks, putting them 100 billion Hong Kong dollars in debt.<ref>[http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=25257&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20021118&sear_year=2002 A little less debt for ailing Lai Sun] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102213627/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=&art_id=25257&sid=&con_type=1&d_str=20021118&sear_year=2002 |date=2007-11-02 }} "The Standard", November, 2012</ref>

After this experience, Lam put more focus on his entertainment business. The first step to him becoming an entertainment magnate came in 2002, when the movie produced by his company, Infernal Affairs, enjoyed huge success. In 2004, Lam and Hong Kong singer Leon Lai started a music group, Amusic, which recruited famous Hong Kong singers.

In 2009, Lam supported Sharon Cheung with starting a free movie website, Goyeah.com. This was the first time in Hong Kong that movies were shared online for free. The website's main revenue is from ads.<ref>[http://hk.apple.nextmedia.com/news/art/20090421/12663336 Entertainment people are slow in reaction] "Apple Daily", April, 2009</ref>

In 2011, Lam was awarded an honorary doctorate by the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, recognising his contribution to the music & film industries and support to the academy.<ref>[https://www.hkapa.edu/honorary-awardees/peter-lam-kin-ngok Citation of Peter Lam, HKAPA. Retrieved 2018-06-06]</ref>

On February 22, 2013, the Hong Kong SAR government announced the appointment of Lam as the new chairman of Hong Kong Tourism Board, replacing James Tien.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/article/1156470/showbiz-king-peter-lam-named-tourism-board-chief Entertainment king Peter Lam named Tourism Board chief] "South China Morning Post",</ref> In the same year, Lam was elected by members to the standing committee of the Twelfth CPPCC National Committee.

In December 2021, it was reported that Lam was eligible to vote four times in the 2021 Hong Kong legislative election, yielding 0.0366618% of the total voting value (elected seats), which is 7377 times more than the value of an average voter's total voting value.<ref>{{Cite web|last=FactWire|date=2021-12-15|title=Factwire: 41 privileged voters have 7,200 times greater power than a regular Hong Kong voter following election revamp|url=https://hongkongfp.com/2021/12/16/factwire-41-privileged-voters-have-7200-times-greater-power-than-a-regular-hong-kong-voter-following-election-revamp/|access-date=2021-12-16|website=Hong Kong Free Press HKFP|language=en-GB}}</ref>

==Business== Lam is the current chairman of Lai Sun Development, Media Asia Entertainment Group Holdings, the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB), Crocodile Garments, and deputy chairman of Lai Fung Holdings. He received the Gold Bauhinia Star award in 2015 for his outstanding contributions.<ref>[https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1830480/full-hong-kong-honours-list In full: the Hong Kong honours list, SCMP 2015-07-01]</ref>

===Lai Sun Group & Hospitality=== In 1989, Lai Sun Group entered into the hospitality business with several hotel acquisitions and a partnership with the Delta Hotels Group.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laisun.com/lai-sun-garment/en-US/Businesses/index/hotel_operations_management|title = Lai Sun Group}}</ref> The partnership expanded Lai Sun Group's access into North America. In the early 1990s, Lai Sun Group expanded into China through the acquisition of the Chains Hotels Group. In 1995, the company was subsequently renamed Lai Sun Hotels International Limited.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laisun.com/lai-sun-garment/en-US/Businesses/index/hotel_operations_management|title = Lai Sun Group}}</ref>

The group currently owns and operates the Ocean Park Marriott Hotel in Hong Kong, the Caravelle Hotel in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, and the Fairmont St Andrews in Scotland, as well as Lai Fung Group’s hotel and serviced apartment operations in Shanghai and Hengqin in China.

===Four Seasons Hotel & The Beverly Wilshire Hotel===

Starting in 1995, Lai Sun Hotels International Limited continued investments in a number of luxury hotels across its international subsidiaries.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.laisun.com/lai-sun-garment/en-US/Businesses/index/hotel_operations_management|title = Lai Sun Group}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.scmp.com/article/187253/lai-sun-streamlines-hotels-business-25b-reshuffle|title = Lai Sun streamlines hotels business in $2.5b reshuffle| date=6 March 1997 }}</ref> The hotels included The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong, Four Seasons Hotel New York<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/1996/08/02/nyregion/asian-group-buys-four-seasons-hotel.html|title=Asian Group Buys Four Seasons Hotel|newspaper=The New York Times|date=2 August 1996}}</ref> and the Four Seasons Hotel Milano.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.grandluxuryhotels.com/hotel/four-seasons-hotel-milan?|title = Four Seasons Hotel Milan - Milan, Italy}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB835560447816202000|title = Rival Four Seasons Bid Rejected in Favor of Lai Sun Consortium|newspaper = Wall Street Journal|date = 24 June 1996}}</ref>

In 1996, the Los Angeles Times reported that the Lai Sun Group had acquired stakes in the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Los Angeles, USA for a deal estimated to be around USD$100 Million.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1996-02-17-mn-36925-story.html|title = Hong Kong Group Buys Beverly Wilshire|website = Los Angeles Times|date = 17 February 1996}}</ref>

===Ritz-Carlton Hotel, Hong Kong=== Lai Sun Development (LSD) acquired the Furama Kempinski Hotel's parent company, Furama Hotel Enterprises, in June 1997 for HK$7 billion.

In December 2001, Lai Sun Development, with Lam as CEO, demolished two of its five-star hotels - the Furama Kempinski Hotel, then famous for its revolving restaurant, and The Ritz-Carlton, Hong Kong. In its place, Lai Sun Development built AIG Tower, a 185-metre (607&nbsp;ft.), 37-storey skyscraper that was completed in 2005. It was renamed AIA Central in 2009.

===Lai Sun Dining & Restaurants=== In 2008, Lam established Lai Sun Dining, a Hong-Kong based hospitality group.<ref>{{cite web |title=LAI SUN DINING |url=https://laisundining.com/}}</ref> The group owns and operates high-end culinary concepts locally and abroad. Their portfolio currently encompasses 9 Michelin Stars across 17 brands and 24 outlets, including 3 Michelin Starred 8½ Otto e Mezzo Bombana,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://guide.michelin.com/hk/en/hong-kong-region/hong-kong/restaurant/8%C2%BD-otto-e-mezzo-bombana|title=8 1/2 Otto e Mezzo - Bombana – Hong Kong - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant}}</ref> China Tang,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://guide.michelin.com/hk/en/hong-kong-region/hong-kong/restaurant/china-tang-central|title = China Tang (Central) – Hong Kong - a MICHELIN Guide Restaurant}}</ref> the China Club, Beefbar, and Cipriani Hong Kong.

=== Global Fair Development Limited === In May 2021, Liber Research Community released a report, which included information stating that Lam was a company director at Global Fair Development Limited,<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-05-03|title=Is there more land in Hong Kong for housing than perceived?|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3131968/there-more-land-hong-kong-housing-government-claims-yes-says|access-date=2021-05-03|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> a company which allegedly colluded with indigenous villagers to buy small house policy rights and illegally develop them.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=Research Report on Development Potential of Vacant Small House Land|url=https://drive.google.com/file/d/1QyiweYOe9h4u1RA7C7i27cggNLVd012a/view|journal=Liber Research Community}}</ref>

==Personal life== Lam's father, Lim Por-yen, died in 2005 at the age of 90. He had 8 children, including Peter Lam Kin-ngok, Pearl Lam, Matthew Lam Kin-hong 林建康, and Lam Kin-ming 林建名 who died on January 8, 2021, due to lymphoma.

Lam married Taiwanese actress Hsieh Ling-Ling 謝玲玲 in 1980, the couple had five children, Lester, Emily, Evelyn, Eleanor, and Lucas; Eleanor ({{lang|zh-Hant-HK|林心兒}}) and Lucas are fraternal twins. The couple filed for divorce in 1993; after two years the couple officially divorced.<ref>[https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/peter-lam Peter Lam] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141222075831/https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/peter-lam |date=2014-12-22 }}, "Hong Kong Tatler. com",</ref>

Hsieh Ling-Ling and Peter's eldest son, Lester 林孝賢, who graduated from Northeastern University in the United States, is currently the executive director and CEO of Lai Sun Group. In one interview, Lester stated that he admired his father and spoke about how to manage a family business so that he can be considered as the successor of the future Lai Sun Group.<ref>[http://www.igafencu.com/gm/content_en.php?is=6&cat=15 Lam in Season], "Gafencu Men",</ref>

Their eldest daughter, Emily Lam-Ho 林恬兒, graduated with a double degree from the University of Southern California in 2006 and a double masters from Columbia University in New York City in 2016. Emily is the CEO and founder of Empact28, director of business development at Sing Tao Daily News Corporation, and the CEO and co-founder of EcoDrive.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Tatler |first1=Hong Kong |authorlink1=Emily Lam Ho |title=Emily Lam-Ho |url=https://www.tatlerasia.com/people/emily-lam-ho |work=Hong Kong Tatler |agency=Tatler Hong Kong |date=6 January 2015}}</ref> She married Kent Ho, son of Charles Ho, in 2014.<ref>{{cite web |title=Kent Ho |url=https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/alumni/contact/alumni-association/about-alumni/kent-ho |website=Stanford Graduate School of Business |language=en}}</ref>

In 2000, Lam's then-girlfriend Monica Chen Yi-ping 陳浥萍, a model, socialite, and businesswoman from Taiwan, gave birth to their baby daughter Lyann Angelique Lam 林利兒, his youngest child. When news of their split broke, Lam and Chen issued a joint public statement pleading with the public for space and privacy out of respect for their daughter's young age.<ref>{{cite news |title=林建岳焗認2年前分手 - 東方日報 |url=http://orientaldaily.on.cc/cnt/entertainment/20100506/00282_001.html |work=orientaldaily.on.cc}}</ref> She has maintained a relatively private lifestyle despite media interest.<ref>{{cite news |title=林建岳20岁私生女曝光 |url=https://www.sohu.com/a/398774989_120064994?_trans_=010004_pcwzy |website=sohu.com}}</ref>

Peter Lam has also been involved in an ongoing legal dispute concerning the estate and wills of his late father, Lim Por-yen, founder of the Lai Sun Group. In April 2025, Hong Kong High Court ruled that a 2004 will signed under what the court described as “highly suspicious circumstances” was invalid, finding that Lim Por-yen lacked the mental capacity to execute it due to moderate-to-severe dementia.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Wong|first=Brian|date=2025-04-11|title=Hong Kong court voids will of late tycoon Lim Por-yen|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3306244/hong-kong-court-voids-hk29-billion-will-late-tycoon-lim-por-yen|access-date=2026-05-20|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> In its judgment, the court stated that “the 2004 will was the product of negotiations and jockeying between the beneficiaries, with no involvement of Mr Lim.”<ref name=":0" /> The court further found that Lim lacked sufficient “knowledge and approval” of the will’s contents,<ref>{{Cite web |date=17 April 2025|title=Lai Sun Founder’s Last Will Set Aside by Hong Kong Court|url=https://www.templechambers.com/news/Lai%20Sun%20Founder%20s%20Last%20Will%20Set%20Aside%20by%20Hong%20Kong%20Court|access-date=2026-05-20|website=Temple Chambers}}</ref> while legal commentary on the judgment noted that the disputed will had been drafted based on instructions from Peter Lam and a senior Lai Sun Group executive rather than directly from Lim himself.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-04-11|title=Lai Sun Group’s late Chairman Lim Por-yen’s will case ends in victory for Gu Shui-ying and daughter Pearl Lam|url=https://www.dimsumdaily.hk/lai-sun-groups-late-chairman-lim-por-yens-will-case-ends-in-victory-for-gu-shui-ying-and-daughter-pearl-lam/|access-date=2026-05-20|website=Dimsum Daily|language=en-US}}</ref> The ruling also reportedly questioned the credibility of certain witnesses supporting the 2004 will.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Tycoon’s last will set aside by Hong Kong court|url=https://www.brickcourt.co.uk/news/detail/tycoons-last-will-set-aside-by-hong-kong-court|access-date=2026-05-20|website=Brick Court Chambers|language=en}}</ref> The court reinstated an earlier 1973 will, reshaping the distribution of Lim’s estate by restoring inheritance rights to his third wife, Koo Siu-ying, and daughter Pearl Lam.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Late Hong Kong tycoon Lim Por-yen’s estate much larger than HK$2.9 billion|url=https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/law-and-crime/article/3308417/late-hong-kong-tycoon-lim-por-yens-estate-much-larger-hk29-billion|date=2025-04-29|access-date=2026-05-20|website=South China Morning Post|language=en}}</ref> Peter Lam stated that the ruling would not affect his control or management of the Lai Sun Group.<ref name=":0" />

==Politics and public positions== ===Hong Kong Tourism Board=== Lam was appointed the Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board (HKTB) for three years from April 1, 2013, to March 31, 2016, succeeding James Tien Pei-chun.<ref>[http://www.tourism.gov.hk/resources/english/paperreport_doc/press/2012-02-22/Appointment_of_Chairman_and_members_of_HKTB_eng.pdf Appointment of Chairman and members of Hong Kong Tourism Board, February 22, 2013. Retrieved 2018-06-04]</ref> He was further re-appointed the Chairman for three years from April 1, 2016, to March 31, 2019.<ref>[http://www.tourism.gov.hk/resources/english/paperreport_doc/press/2016-02-29/Government_announces_appointments_to_Hong_Kong_Tourism_Board_eng.pdf Government announces appointments to Hong Kong Tourism Board, February 26, 2016. Retrieved 2018-06-04]</ref>

===Our Hong Kong Foundation=== Lam is a counsellor for the Our Hong Kong Foundation. This foundation is a Hong Kong non-profit organization registered in September 2014, with an aim to promote the long-term interests of Hong Kong through policy research, analysis, and recommendation. Pooling together local, mainland, and international talent, it studies Hong Kong's development needs, offering multidisciplinary public policy recommendations and proposing solutions to foster social cohesion, economic prosperity, and sustainable development.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.ourhkfoundation.org.hk/en/node/36 |title=Introduction to Our Hong Kong Foundation. Retrieved 2018-06-04. |access-date=2018-06-04 |archive-date=2020-12-01 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201201121041/https://www.ourhkfoundation.org.hk/en/node/36 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong=== Lam is the council chairman of the Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong, a political party formed in October 2012. <ref>[https://en.bpahk.org/people/ People Profile of Peter Lam, official website of Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong. Retrieved 2018-06-06]</ref> The goal of this alliance is to drive Hong Kong's economy forward through commercial and industrial development, and to help improve people's livelihood through its professionalism and dedication. The alliance offers suggestions for the long-term strategic development of Hong Kong and for the well-being of the public.

===Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC)=== In 2019, Lam was appointed chairman of the Hong Kong Trade Development Council (HKTDC).<ref>{{cite web |title=New Chairman of Hong Kong Trade Development Council Peter K N Lam Meets with Management Team |url=http://mediaroom.hktdc.com/en/pressrelease/detail/19996/New%20Chairman%20of%20Hong%20Kong%20Trade%20Development%20Council%20Peter%20K%20N%20Lam%20Meets%20with%20Management%20Team |website=HKTDC Media Room}}</ref>

==Hobbies== Lam, who loves cigars, owns a cigar shop in Hong Kong. He reportedly enjoys "Buttman" Batman-based humour T-shirts. He also loves horse racing. He and both of his brothers are members of the Hong Kong Jockey Club where he owns two horses, Go Baby Go and Million Darling. In Million Darling's six appearances, he has been in the top four every single time. Sadly due to a leg injury, Million Darling was forced to retire in 2011, earning a total stake of HK$939,475.<ref>[http://racing.hkjc.com/racing/info/horse/smartform/English/N033 Go baby Go, Million darling profile], "The Hong Kong Jockey Club",</ref>

===Yachts=== In 2001, Lam became the owner of a 30.5-metre vessel made by San Lorenzo called '''Sun Princess'''. The yacht has an estimated cost of US$9 million.<ref>{{cite web |title=Super-yacht syndrome |url=https://www.scmp.com/article/348079/super-yacht-syndrome |website=South China Morning Post |language=en |date=26 May 2001}}</ref>

In 2016, Lam was appointed as the chairman of Camper and Nicholson International, a renowned European yacht brokerage and management firm.<ref>{{cite web |title=New Asian board members announced for Camper & Nicholsons International |url=https://www.superyachttimes.com/yacht-news/new-asian-board-members-announced-for-camper-nicholsons-international |website=www.superyachttimes.com |date=14 October 2016 |language=en}}</ref> His eldest son Lester 林孝賢 currently serves on Camper & Nicholson's board of directors.<ref>{{cite news |title=Burgess Yachts Editorial |url=https://www.burgessyachts.com/en/editorial/press/equanimity}}</ref>

Lam's passion for yachting developed over decades, as the owner of several yachts in both the Mediterranean and Hong Kong, for which he obtained related licenses and certifications.<ref>{{cite web |title=Top 100 Yachting Personalities in Asia-Pacific (Hong Kong) |url=https://www.luxuo.com/motoring/top-100-yachting-personalities-asia-pacific-hong-kong.html |website=LUXUO |date=14 March 2018}}</ref>

====Sun Princess and SunPrince==== In 2010, Lam's eldest son Lester hosted a massive birthday party aboard his father's yachts, The Sun Princess and The SunPrince. The party itself is estimated to have cost Lam over HKD $7 million (US$894,000) to host.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://yule.sohu.com/20090416/n263417142.shtml|title = 林建岳长子夜店享受 34D惹火美女死缠(图)-搜狐娱乐}}</ref> Despite many attempts to avoid the paparazzi and the media, photographs of the party became front-page news.<ref>{{cite web |title=香港富豪 |url=https://3g.china.com/act/lady/11103638/20140227/18365668.html |website=3g.china.com}}</ref>

==2008 speeding offence== In early 2008, Lam avoided a speeding offence when he successfully challenged the correct use and validity of laser speed detectors by the police. Lam was allegedly clocked at 114&nbsp;km/h in a 50&nbsp;km/h zone. He eventually pleaded guilty to driving at 79&nbsp;km/h, and was fined HK$450.<ref name="topgun">{{cite news|title=Top gun triggers a police rethink|url=http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_print.asp?art_id=60408&sid=17205486|work=The Standard|date=21 January 2008|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110522124550/http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_print.asp?art_id=60408&sid=17205486|archivedate=22 May 2011}}</ref>

==References== {{Reflist}} {{s-start}} {{s-off}} {{s-bef | before=James Tien}} {{s-ttl | title=Chairman of the Hong Kong Tourism Board| years=2013–2019}} {{s-aft | after= Pang Yiu-kai }} {{s-end}}

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{{DEFAULTSORT:Lam, Peter}} Category:Living people Category:1957 births Category:Lai Sun Group Category:Hong Kong business executives Category:Hong Kong billionaires Category:Members of the 13th Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Category:Members of the National Committee of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference Category:Business and Professionals Alliance for Hong Kong politicians Category:Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2007–2012 Category:Members of the Election Committee of Hong Kong, 2012–2017 Category:Recipients of the Gold Bauhinia Star Category:Hong Kong racehorse owners and breeders Category:University of Oregon alumni Category:20th-century Hong Kong businesspeople Category:21st-century Hong Kong businesspeople