James Wong appointed as President of HKPTA: pioneering a new era of PropTech innovation in Hong Kong

The Hong Kong PropTech Association (HKPTA) is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. James Wong as its new President, taking office on March 31, 2024. With over 30 years of experience in business, law, information systems and engineering, Mr. Wong's extensive background provides a solid foundation to lead the HKPTA into a new era of growth.

Mr. Wong is currently the Chairman of the Chinney Group, oversees the Group's four listed companies – Chinney Hon Kwok, Chinney Investments, Chinney Alliance and Chinney Kin Wing, which have made their mark in the construction, engineering and property investment sectors. Mr. Wong has extensive experience managing landmark projects such as the 80-storey Hon Kwok Tower in Shenzhen and operating the largest data centre in Hong Kong to installing the air traffic control radar at the Hong Kong Airport.

"James' diverse expertise and deep insights into the real estate, construction and technology sectors make him an invaluable leader for our association," said Vivian Chan, the Founding President of the HKPTA. "We are confident that his leadership will prove instrumental in fostering a vibrant PropTech ecosystem in Hong Kong."

Before joining the family business, Mr. Wong's career included roles as a lawyer in Toyota's eDiscovery team, a tax lawyer at Baker & McKenzie and Price Waterhouse Coopers, and the treasurer of the Association of Corporate Counsel.

His commitment to lifelong learning is evidenced by his academic credentials, which include a Juris Doctor from the University of California College of the Law, San Francisco, and a master's degree in information systems engineering from the Florida Institute of Technology. In addition, Mr. Wong is a member of the California Bar, a licensed California Real Estate Broker, a LEED Green Associate and a WELL AP.

"I am excited to begin this journey as President of the HKPTA and to work with our members to shape the future of the PropTech ecosystem in Hong Kong. Together, we aim to spark innovation, foster collaboration and harness the transformative power of PropTech," he says.

Mr. Wong further elaborated on his approach during the recent HKPTA PropTech Excellence Awards 2024 ceremony, expressing his gratitude and highlighting his ambition for the PropTech landscape:

"Reflecting on the journey of my family business since the 1970s, which now encompasses a wide range of activities from real estate to engineering, I've witnessed first-hand the changes and opportunities brought about by global trends such as digital transformation and sustainability."

Despite this progress, he believes there is significant room for growth in adopting innovative technologies, often hampered by resource constraints and the uncertainty surrounding new technologies. This challenge underlines the essence of the HKPTA's existence.

"My goal is for the HKPTA to serve as a broad platform that nurtures young talent in the technology and real estate sectors, fosters connections between experts, stakeholders and organisations passionate about PropTech, and ultimately contributes to Hong Kong's development as a smart city."