Early Life
Kwek Leng Beng was born on January 27, 1941, in Singapore. He is the second child and first son of Kwek Hong Png, the founder of Hong Leong Group Singapore. Kwek was raised in a shophouse and later moved to a bungalow. He received his education at Beatty Primary School and Bartley Secondary School. He graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of London in 1963.
Rise to Success
Kwek joined the family business in the early 1960s, after training as a lawyer. His father entrusted him with Hong Leong's investments, recognizing his adeptness at deal-making. In 1969, Kwek joined the board of City Developments Limited (CDL). Under his leadership, CDL expanded globally, making key acquisitions like The Gloucester in London and acquiring a stake in the Plaza Hotel in New York. Kwek took over the leadership of Hong Leong after his father's death in 1994. He then secured a deal to purchase Copthorne Hotels Holdings in 1995.
Key Business Strategies
Kwek is known for his hands-on management style and decisive approach. He is often described as a demanding boss. Kwek’s early career highlights include overseeing Hong Leong’s investments and expanding CDL's global presence through strategic acquisitions. He is also known for his focus on picking up valuable assets at bargain prices. In 1996, CDL's hotel operations were reorganized into Millennium & Copthorne Hotels.
Philanthropy
Kwek is committed to philanthropy, with significant donations to educational initiatives. In 2023, he donated S$720,000 to the Singapore Institute of Technology (SIT). In the same year, he and CDL jointly donated S$24 million to SIT, which was recognized by naming a university tower after him.