Helmut Sohmen

Helmut Sohmen
Helmut Sohmen
Born	December 10, 1939 (age 86); Linz, Austria
Occupation(s)	Attorney, entrepreneur
Years active	1970–present
Known for	Chairman of BW Group, legislator in Hong Kong Legislative Council, managing director of Dragon Air

Helmut Sohmen (born 10 December 1939 in Linz, Austria) is an Austrian attorney and entrepreneur residing in Hong Kong. He held the chairman role at BW Group and previously served as a legislator in the Hong Kong Legislative Council. Additionally, Sohmen was the managing director of Dragon Air.

In 2010, Forbes listed him with an estimated fortune of US$1.4 billion, positioning him as Austria's fourth wealthiest individual. The year prior, he ranked as the 13th richest person in Hong Kong.

Early life

Sohmen was born and raised in Linz, Austria.

Education

He completed his secondary education with honors at Linz Realgymnasium (Fadingerschule) in 1958. Sohmen pursued legal studies at both the University of Vienna and Southern Methodist University. Awarded a Fulbright scholarship, he continued his education at the University of Connecticut and ultimately earned his doctorate degree in Vienna.

Career

Starting his professional journey, Sohmen worked as a legal consultant for the Royal Bank of Canada in Montreal. He further enhanced his credentials by obtaining a Master of Comparative Law from Southern Methodist University along with a Master of Laws degree.

In 1970, Sohmen relocated to Hong Kong to join the family enterprise managed by his father-in-law, Sir Yue-Kong Pao, proprietor of World-Wide Shipping Group—among the largest shipping firms globally. After roles in Bermuda (1974) and London (1977), he made Hong Kong his permanent base from 1981. Following Pao’s retirement from daily operations, Sohmen assumed the chairmanship in 1986, with ownership transferring to his wife by 1989. The acquisition of Norway’s Bergesen fleet in 2003 led to the creation of Bergesen Worldwide Ltd., which was later rebranded as BW Group. By 2010, this conglomerate operated a fleet of 140 tankers employing over 4,500 staff.

Sohmen stepped down as BW Group’s chairman in November 2014, handing over leadership to his son Andreas Sohmen-Pao.

Positions held

Board member (1984–1996) and Deputy Chairman (1996–2005) of the Supervisory Board at HSBC; board member of parent company HSBC Holdings Plc from 1990 to 2007.
Chief Executive Officer of Dragon Air between 1985 and 1989.
Director of Development at Harbour Centre Limited (Hong Kong Shipowners' Association) until 1994.
President of the Baltic and International Maritime Council, based in Copenhagen.
Member of the Hong Kong Legislative Council.
Chairman of the Hong Kong Austrian Association, Vienna chapter.
Board member (1986–2001) and CEO (2001–2006) at the International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation, located in London.
First international trustee on the Southern Methodist University Board of Trustees starting in 1999.
Member of Hong Kong University of Science and Technology from 2000 to 2008.
Vice President (1986–1989) and President (1989–1990) of the Hong Kong Chamber of Commerce.
Deputy Chairman (1996–1998) and Chairman (1998–2000) for the Pacific Basin Economic Council (PBEC).
Appointed to the APEC Business Advisory Council in 2000 during PBEC presidency.
Executive Committee member (1998–2002), Vice President (2002–2003), and President (2003–2004) at the Hong Kong Club.
Chairman roles at both the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts and the Commission reviewing the ICAC.
Honorary President of Austria’s society dedicated to fostering friendly and cultural ties with the PRC (ÖGCF).
Founding President of the Far East Sohmen Foundation.
Member of the International Advisory Board to the office of the Austrian Chancellor.

Personal

In 1967, Sohmen wed Anna Pui Hing Pao, whom he encountered during his academic pursuits in Canada. Together, they have three children: two sons and a daughter.

Anna Pui Hing Pao Sohmen has held multiple positions in Hong Kong, including serving as a member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference. She was honored with the Silver Bauhinia Star in 2005.

Awards

1990: Awarded the Order of the British Empire
1995: Selected for the "Eminent Persons Group" by the European Commission, a 16-member advisory panel focused on EU-ASEAN economic collaboration
1998: Recipient of the Schumpeter Prize from the Schumpeter Society

Foundations

Sohmen has initiated several foundations aimed at promoting economic scholarship and cultural interaction.

The Egon Sohmen Foundation was established in 1987 to honor his brother’s memory. It advances economic research and stimulates policy discussions through yearly international conferences and lectures at universities. Notable scientific advisors have included Herbert Giersch until 1999 and Bernd Hans Jurgens from 2002 onward.

To enhance business ties between Austria and Asia, Sohmen founded the Sohmen-Far East Foundation (SFEF) in 1991, based in Linz. This foundation provides scholarships that enable young Austrians to experience the Asian region firsthand and develop professional networks.

In 1993, he created the Sohmen-China Foundation for the Promotion of Austria Society (ÖGCF), which aims to strengthen cultural and economic links with China. The foundation supports cultural programs, educational initiatives, exchange visits, and publications, including co-sponsoring exhibitions held in Shanghai and Beijing in 1996 and again in 2003.

References