Mentor
Victor Chu
Overview
Victor Chu currently serves as Chair and CEO of First Eastern Investment Group (since 1988), a Hong Kong–based international investment firm that was among the first to pioneer private equity and venture capital investment in China. He is also Chair of Council at University College London (since 2019), Member of the Board of Airbus SE, and Member of the Board of Nomura Holdings Inc., reflecting his continued influence on global industrial finance and corporate governance.
Victor’s career began after qualifying as a lawyer in London and Hong Kong when he founded Victor Chu & Co. in 1985. Opting to blend legal training with entrepreneurial risk, he established First Eastern in 1988, leading the firm’s investments into early-stage Chinese infrastructure, toll roads, water treatment, manufacturing, FinTech, and the launch of Japan’s Peach Aviation. His success attracted co-investments from major international institutions, securing strategic partnerships across Asia and fortifying his reputation as a trusted bridge between East and West.
His governance portfolio extends beyond business. Victor is Co‑Chair of the World Economic Forum’s International Business Council, former Foundation Board member of the World Economic Forum (2003-2015), and former Deputy Secretary-General of the International Bar Association (1995-2000). He has served on advisory bodies in Hong Kong, including the Stock Exchange, SFC, Takeovers Panel, and the Chief Executive’s Council of Advisers. As Chair of UCL’s Council, he actively shapes higher-education strategy and promotes environmental sustainability.
He brings deep cross-sector expertise in:
• China–West private investment – structuring high-impact deals in frontier markets and bridging regulatory cultures
• Infrastructure & growth equity – Financing high-value assets in transport, water, environment and tech
• Global corporate governance – advising boards of major multinationals and shaping institutional strategy
• Policy & institutional leadership – navigating complex advisory roles across public, education and economic sectors
A graduate of University College London (LLB), Victor is a classic global citizen—educated in Hong Kong and England, and licensed to practise law in both jurisdictions. Recipient of the Kiel Institute’s 2011 Global Economy Prize and a CBE (2019), he is regarded for his foresight, integrity and ability to animate networks across capital, policy and institutional ecosystems—making him an inspiring mentor for leaders at the interface of business, public policy and globalisation.
PDF Profile
Download PDFMajor Career Roles
First Eastern Investment Group
Chair/CEO
Airbus SE
Board member
Nomura Holdings Inc
Board member
University College London
Council Chair
World Economic Forum
International Business Council Co-Chair
Other Career Highlights
Zurich Insurance Group
Board member
Hong Kong Stock Exchange
Director and Council member
Hong Kong Takeovers and Mergers
Panel member
Securities and Futures Commission
Advisory Committee member
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