Kwok Chan

Kwok Chan
Born	1904 Hong Kong
Died	17 June 1967
Occupation	Businessman
Known for	Member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong; Chairman of South China Athletic Association; Vice-chairman of Hang Seng Bank

Kwok Chan (, 1904 – 17 June 1967) was a prominent businessman in Hong Kong and served as a member of the Executive Council of Hong Kong.

Early life

Born in Hong Kong as the second son of entrepreneur Kwok Shiu-lau, Kwok received his education at Diocesan Boys' School. He pursued business studies at the University of Hong Kong and, upon graduation, took up the role of comprador at Banque de l'Indochine (currently known as Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank).

Residence

In 1936, Kwok came into possession of 101 Robinson Road in Mid-Levels, a portion of the Kwok Compound IL 719 inherited from his father, where he established his family home.

Career before the war

Amidst the 1925 Canton–Hong Kong strike, Kwok enlisted in the Special Police Reserve and subsequently joined the regular Police Reserve. He assumed directorships at prominent Chinese charitable organizations such as Tung Wah Hospital in 1930 and Po Leung Kuk in 1933. His leadership extended to various sports and social bodies, including serving as vice-chairman of the Chin Woo Athletic Association, chairman of the Chinese Swimming Association, and vice-chairman of the Chinese General Chamber of Commerce. In 1941, he was appointed Justice of the Peace. During the period of the Japanese occupation of Hong Kong, Kwok was a member of the Chinese Cooperative Council established by Japanese authorities.

Career after the war

Following World War II, Kwok held the chairmanship of the South China Athletic Association and led both the Hong Kong Football Association and the Asian Football Confederation. His involvement included participation on governing boards for educational institutions such as the University of Hong Kong and Diocesan Boys' School. He also directed organizations including the St. John Ambulance Brigade and Rotary Club, and served as vice-chairman of Red Cross Hong Kong. His advisory contributions extended to government boards overseeing Licensing, Business, and Fishing sectors. Between 1950 and 1957, he acted as an unofficial member of the Urban Council of Hong Kong, occasionally fulfilling duties on the Executive Council of Hong Kong. On an international level, Kwok represented Hong Kong multiple times at meetings of the United Nations Economic Commission for Asia and the Far East.

His distinctions comprised appointments as Officer (1953) and later Commander (1962) of the Order of the British Empire, receipt of France’s Légion d'honneur in 1955, and elevation to Knight within the Order of St John in 1961.

In 1960, Kwok was named vice-chairman of Hang Seng Bank and held board positions with leading enterprises such as Hong Kong Electric Company, Hong Kong and Yaumati Ferry Company, A. S. Watson & Company, Kowloon Motor Bus, Rediffusion Television, Dah Chong Hong Limited, Hong Kong Settlers Housing Corporation, Oriental Express Limited, and Borneo, Greenland & Company.

Kwok passed away at age 67 on 17 June 1967 at Queen Mary Hospital.