Kuok Hui Kwong Appointed CEO of Shangri-La Asia Effective August 1

SINGAPORE - Shangri-La Asia Limited announced on July 16, 2025, the appointment of Kuok Hui Kwong as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1, 2025. Kuok, 47, is the daughter of Robert Kuok, a prominent Malaysian tycoon known as the founder of the Shangri-La Group and Malaysia's richest man.

Prior to this appointment, Kuok Hui Kwong served as the executive director of Shangri-La Asia since June 2016 and became its chairman in January 2017. Her dual roles as chairman and CEO are anticipated to enhance the strategic cohesion and operational execution of the company by ensuring a unified vision across all leadership levels, as stated in a bourse filing by the company.

"The integration of these leadership roles will bolster the company's strategic direction and operational effectiveness at a critical juncture in its development," Shangri-La Asia remarked.

Kuok's leadership experience is notable; she has been instrumental in formulating the company’s strategic priorities and steering it towards its goals. The CEO position had been vacant since December 2022 following the retirement of Lim Beng Chee, who served for almost six years. Under her current employment agreement, Kuok is entitled to a monthly base salary of HK$576,000 (approximately US$73,000), along with a discretionary bonus and pension contributions.

Kuok holds a substantial interest in Shangri-La Asia, with direct and indirect holdings amounting to 95.57 million shares. The company is publicly traded on both the Hong Kong and Singapore stock exchanges, reflecting its significant market presence. Kuok is also a former managing director and CEO of SCMP Group and has held directorships in various organizations, including the China World Trade Centre Company.

Academically, Kuok holds a Bachelor’s degree in East Asian Studies from Harvard University, equipping her with a breadth of knowledge beneficial for her leadership at Shangri-La. Observers in the hospitality and investment sectors are keenly interested in the impact of her new role on the company's direction, particularly as the global hospitality industry continues to recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Industry analysts have indicated that Kuok's appointment could lead to innovative strategies aimed at revitalizing the Shangri-La brand and expanding its reach in a competitive landscape. Dr. Emily Chen, a professor of Hospitality Management at Cornell University, noted that "Ms. Kuok’s background and her family legacy in hospitality may provide valuable insights for navigating the complexities of the post-pandemic market."

Furthermore, the hospitality sector has faced challenges including labor shortages and shifting consumer preferences. According to a report by the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) published in March 2025, the global travel and tourism industry is projected to generate approximately $8.6 trillion in revenue in 2025, reflecting a significant rebound from previous years. Kuok’s strategic vision will be crucial in capitalizing on this recovery.

As Shangri-La Asia embarks on a new chapter under Kuok’s leadership, stakeholders remain cautiously optimistic about its prospects in the evolving hospitality landscape. The board of directors and investment analysts will be closely monitoring the execution of her strategies and the overall performance of the company in the coming months.