Chen Yande (businessman)
Mark Chan Yan Tak (born April 28, 1969), nicknamed the "Cordyceps King," is a Hong Kong businessman, philanthropist, and collector. He previously served as Chairman, Executive Director, and CEO of Sundown International Holdings, and is currently Chairman of Pet Paws Pharmacy and still志 Group.
Career
Mark Chan grew up in public housing with six siblings, becoming a stockbroker and entering the market in 1989. He lost heavily during the 1989 Tiananmen aftermath and later in the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis, declaring bankruptcy in 1999 and losing his financial licenses[1].
In 2002, inspired by the Chinese Medicine Port initiative, he founded Royal Medic with his father and aunt, investing over HKD 100,000 to launch a health supplement business. During the 2003 SARS outbreak, his company distribution of Banlangen (Isatis root) brought him success and led to the formation of still志 Group[2][3].
Mark served as Honorary President of the Hong Kong Beauty Industry Federation and Advisor to the Hong Kong & Kowloon Chinese Medicine Practitioner Association, and was President of Yan Oi Tong's 39th term[4].
In December 2011, he was appointed Chairman & CEO of Royal Medic (later Sundown International Holdings), leading its listing on the Growth Enterprise Market in October 2013 and a transfer to the Main Board in November 2015. The company peaked at a HKD 5 billion market cap. His achievements in cultivating cordyceps mycelium Cs‑4 earned him the title of Cordyceps King[1][2][5][6][7]
In May 2017, he founded the Humanity with Heart Charity Foundation to support education and poverty relief[8]. In 2018, in partnership with Watsons Group, he launched Hong Kong’s first pet health pharmacy, Pet Paws Pharmacy[9].
In March 2019, following the passing of his wife, Mark resigned as Chairman & CEO of Royal Medic and stepped down in March 2020 to focus on the pet health and food business[1][10].
A collector, Mark became fascinated with Rolls‑Royce after seeing one on TV as a child, eventually owning over 50 vintage and supercars
In January 2022, he partnered with Abu Dhabi blockchain firm Ammbr to develop "Pet World," a pet-themed park in Sai Kung and Lau Fau Shan, launching a "Pet Paws" NFT membership token, with plans for expansions across the Greater Bay Area, Singapore, Japan, and the U.S. after its 2024 opening
Incidents
Breaking off cooperation with TVB over Ali Lee
In 2021, actress Ali Lee ended a 7‑year relationship in October, and media suggested she was spotted with Mark Chan at the Ritz‑Carlton and at a luxury house in Kowloon Tong. Both parties clarified it was business talk
On January 25, 2022, Ali Lee stated via Instagram that no relationship ever developed
The next day, Ali Lee was replaced as guest at the Pet Paws NFT launch held at the Miramar Hotel. Mark Chan told media that TVB manager Caitlyn Yung forbade them from being photographed together or close at the event. Feeling insulted, he withdrew over HKD10 million in annual advertising from TVB, demanded an explanation from TVB's Agnes Lok, and shifted TV cooperation to ViuTV from January 31
Because of this, Mark purchased Ezee Finance (stock 08079) from Simon Siu on May 4, 2022.
Appearances
TV Shows
- 2022: Judge, "Sifood" Season 2 (TVB, Ep 12)
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-1
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 https://web.archive.org/web/20220322022652/https://monthly.hkej.com/monthly/article/id/2650807/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7%EF%BC%9A%E6%88%91%E4%BF%A1%E5%91%BD%EF%BC%8C%E4%BD%86%E4%B8%8D%E8%AA%8D%E5%91%BD%EF%BC%81
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-3
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-4
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:3 - ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220322022652/https://topick.hket.com/article/3164799
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-7
- ↑ https://web.archive.org/web/20220322022651/https://hd.stheadline.com/news/columns/983/20200207/832354/%E5%B0%88%E6%AC%84-%E4%BC%81%E6%A5%AD%E7%86%B1%E8%A9%B1-%E8%9F%B2%E8%8D%89%E5%A4%A7%E7%8E%8B-%E6%88%91%E6%8F%80%E7%9A%84-%E5%B0%B1%E6%98%AF%E4%BF%A1%E5%BF%83%E4%BF%9D%E8%AD%89
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-9
- ↑ https://zh.wikipedia.org/wiki/%E9%99%B3%E6%81%A9%E5%BE%B7_(%E5%95%86%E4%BA%BA)#cite_ref-9