Early Life
Joseph Lau was born in Hong Kong on July 21, 1951. He has a younger brother, Thomas, and two younger sisters. After attending the University of Windsor in Canada, he joined his family's business making electric fans in 1974.
Rise to Success
In 1978, Lau established Evergo Industrial Enterprise, while his brother Thomas inherited the family business. In 1983, the company held an initial public offering in Hong Kong. In 1985, Lau shifted Evergo's business focus to investment-holding and property-management services. He became the majority shareholder of Chinese Estates Holdings in 1986, developing it into a leading real estate developer.
Key Business Strategies
Lau expanded the company's real estate investments through acquisitions, including a 67% stake in Chi Cheung Investment. One of Lau's notable achievements was the development of The ONE, the tallest retail complex in Hong Kong, which opened in 2010.
Philanthropy
Since the early 1990s, Lau and his Charitable Trust have donated nearly HK$5 billion to various institutions. The major beneficiaries include education and healthcare, with each accounting for approximately 20% of the total, while cases for the underprivileged make up about 10%. The trust has supported education in Hong Kong, with significant gifts to universities supporting student aid and infrastructure.