Peter Lim
Peter Lim Eng Hock | |
|---|---|
| Born | May 21, 1953 Singapore |
| Occupation(s) | Entrepreneur, investor, former stockbroker |
| Known for | Ownership of Valencia CF, investments in palm oil, sports, healthcare, real estate, education |
'Peter Lim Eng Hock (born 21 May 1953) is a prominent Singaporean entrepreneur, former stockbroker, and investor specializing in palm oil. Currently, his focus lies on private investments spanning healthcare, real estate, sports, and education sectors. As of 2024, Lim was ranked 26th on Forbes list of Singapore's 50 Richest, with an estimated net worth of US$1.75 billion. He maintained a shareholder position in English club Salford City until 2024 and has been the owner of Spanish La Liga team Valencia CF since 2014.
In 2010, Lim received Singapore’s highest libel compensation related to the Raffles Town Club incident.
Early life and education
Born to a fishmonger, Lim grew up alongside seven siblings in a modest two-room government flat located in the Bukit Ho Swee public housing estate.[1] After completing his secondary schooling at the Raffles Institution, he fulfilled his National Service obligations before pursuing higher education at the University of Western Australia.[2] To support his university expenses, Lim took on various part-time jobs including taxi driving, cooking, and waiting tables.[2]
During his employment at the Australian fast-food chain Red Rooster, Lim acquired valuable experience in launching, developing, and expanding a business.[3]
He earned a degree in accounting and finance and initially worked as an accountant and tax advisor before transitioning into stock trading.[1]
Early career
In the early 1990s, Lim invested approximately US$10 million into the emerging palm oil firm Wilmar.[4] He later divested his shares in Wilmar for US$1.5 billion in 2010 during a peak in commodity prices.[5]
Widely recognized as the "Remisier King" for his achievements in stockbroking throughout the 1980s,[6] Lim exited brokerage activities in 1996 to dedicate himself fully to private investment ventures.
Sports investment
Lim holds majority ownership of Spanish La Liga club Valencia CF and is proprietor of Hotel Football situated near Manchester’s Old Trafford stadium. His previous sports-related investments include British supercar manufacturer McLaren Automotive and English club Salford City F.C.. Since acquiring controlling interest in Valencia CF in 2014, the club has secured qualification for the UEFA Champions League on three occasions and captured the Copa del Rey title in 2019. Meanwhile, Salford City achieved four promotions within five seasons to reach League Two by 2019 and claimed victory in the postponed 2020 Papa John's Trophy.
In 2010, Lim submitted a £320 million cash offer to acquire Liverpool Football Club; however, ownership was ultimately transferred to New England Sports Ventures.
In October 2021, Lim partnered with his son to launch ZujuGP, a digital sports platform.
Philanthropy
In June 2010, the Singapore Olympic Foundation (SOF) introduced the SOF-Peter Lim Scholarship, funded by a S$10 million contribution from Lim, representing the most substantial individual donation for sports development in Singapore. This scholarship aims to assist talented athletes facing financial hardships. In 2019, Lim committed an additional S$10 million to continue supporting local athletes from 2021 through 2030. From 2011 to 2023, a total of 4,519 student-athletes participating in 54 different sports have benefited from scholarships amounting to S$10.45 million.
Lim has also allocated a separate fund of S$20 million toward a community initiative designed to empower underprivileged children to achieve their full potential. In 2011, he provided S$2 million to establish the HCIS-Peter Lim Scholarship Fund, which offers full tuition coverage for academically gifted students with financial difficulties enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Program.
In 2014, Lim donated S$3 million to Nanyang Technological University to endow a professorship in peace studies at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies, fostering social cohesion. Subsequently, in 2018, he pledged S$900,000 over three years for the development of Therapeutic Gardens located in Telok Blangah, Punggol, and Bedok Reservoir.
Collaborating with NParks in 2020, Lim committed S$10 million to establish the NParks–Peter Lim Scholarship aimed at youth from disadvantaged backgrounds pursuing careers in landscaping, horticulture, ecology, veterinary medicine, and animal sciences. Since its launch, this program has awarded scholarships to over 750 students.
In 2022, Lim promised S$680,000 toward the Peter Lim Sports Ignite Grant, which supports children and youth from underprivileged communities in sports and STEAM disciplines while encouraging girls to engage actively in these fields.
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 Cite error: Invalid
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<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs nameduwa - ↑ "Peter Lim: From Taxi Driver To Billionaire, And His Latest S$1M Meal Donation For COVID-19". 27 May 2020. Archived from the original on 16 January 2021.
- ↑ Cite error: Invalid
<ref>tag; no text was provided for refs named:1 - ↑ Karmali, Naazneen (28 August 2013). "Peter Lim's Health Care Bet". Forbes. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
- ↑ Ducker, James (3 December 2015). "Valencia owner's rags to riches tale". The Sunday Times. Retrieved 28 April 2024.