GK Alumni Talks | Ten Years · Ten People: Ken Poon

GUANGHUA

10th

Anniversary

2014-2024

KELLOGG

	GK Alumni Talks Ken Poon GK04,Class of 2019

As we celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Guanghua-Kellogg EMBA program (referred to as GK program) in 2024, we reflect on the journey from GK01 to GK10, where our esteemed GKers have consistently made a significant impact with low ego, both in China and on the global stage. Taking this opportunity, we are going to interview 10 distinguished alumni representatives in a special GK Alumni Talk Series. The interview will delve into the enduring legacy of the GK program, management insight, industry foresight, challenges and successes, etc.

Ten years, Ten People. These ten GKers will form a vivid picture of the GK community, which is also an interpretation of their profound impact on the era.

In this feature, we have the honor of showcasing one of our GK04 Alumnus Ken Poon, the Founding Partner of XCap Partners, a leading financial advisory boutique based in Hong Kong.  Prior to founding XCap Partners, Ken was the regional head of Citigroup's Capital Markets Origination business across Asia Pacific. Over Ken's three decade career in Investment Banking, he has advised on many landmark transactions including the IPOs for Alibaba and AIA, multibillion dollar share placements for TSMC, China Mobile and Petrochina, as well as complex equity linked financings for Hutchison Whampoa and Temasek.  He has also played a key role in many China privatization deals such as CRCC, China Netcom, and Citic Bank.  

Ken has used his knowledge and experience in capital markets and financial product innovation to provide strategic advice to many companies across the Asia Pacific region.  His foresight and capital markets advice to the C-Suite has clearly contributed to helping companies take advantage of the power of the capital markets access to drive success and growth to key stakeholders to build the China and Asian growth story.

GK Alumni Talks

Ken Poon

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WHO I AM

My name is Ken Poon. I attended GK04, and I've worked at several firms in Hong Kong in investment banking, starting with Citibank, UBS, Jordan Fleming, and Merrill Lynch, and then back to the Citigroup where I led the capital markets origination team, in charge of most financing activities across Asia-Pacific countries, including equity markets, debt capital markets, and leveraged finance. In 2017, I started my own boutique investment bank called XCapital. We focus on mid-market transactions in M&A, capital raising, and strategic transactions.

PUBLIC OR PRIVATE

Focusing on long-term ambition and vision, you make better decisions.

I've worked on very large ipos and transactions, many billions of dollars of fundraising. Not all companies should go public. Some companies can certainly benefit from being public, but there are a lot of companies that should just stay private. There are many factors affecting this decision. Some companies are better off not being under the public scrutiny on a quarter-by-quarter basis, having very much public pressure to report and perform. Some companies can perform better just as a private company in a low-profile manner. 

And then there are some companies that are profitable companies, good companies, but they won't scale. They won't grow or continue growing because of the business they're in or the market they're in. If you're in a company that won't scale and won't grow on a continuous basis, you won't attract investors in the public market. I think it's important for founders to look at their business that they're in and not just focus on being famous or being part of listed companies, because that doesn't always work out.   

One of the things that has guided me in my whole career is focusing on the long term. I find that if you're always looking at things in the long run and focusing on long-term ambitions, you do better and you make different decisions. And that tends to lead to a better decision.

AUTHENTICITY LEADERSHIP

It's not about standing out in your team, but about making your team stand out.

I think the companies that I've worked with that are the most impressive, most successful, and most sustainable really have a distinct culture. I would put culture above all. The culture doesn't just exist in the company, it comes from the leadership, it comes from the talent and it comes from the people.  

So the companies with the best leaders, talent and people typically have the best culture. And then they end up being the most competitive, and they end up being much more tactical, and much more strategic, and they tend to do long term planning. So those are the companies that I've worked with that tend to succeed over the long term.

It's important for people to respect what others can bring to the table. It's important for people to have the ability to get the best out of the people around them. Sometimes it's not about standing out in your team, sometimes it's about making your team stand out in the process. 

GK IMPRINT

I learned a lot from them, both in and out of class, which was very invaluable to me.

I've done a lot of business in Asia, globally, and in China, but I think I picked up more deeper perspective on China by being part of this program. I think both Peking University and Kellogg have faculty members, teachers, and professors that are at the top of their game and have very deep knowledge and unique perspectives. I was able to learn a lot from them, not only in class but also outside of class, just by talking to them. And I think that was very invaluable to me.

More to Come

GK Alumni Talks

Ken Poon's interview offers us a window into the complexities of the capital markets. His analysis of the privatization of publicly listed companies and initial public offerings reveals the strategic choices companies face at different stages of development. At the same time, Ken emphasizes the importance of a deep understanding of market conditions and a clear recognition of long-term corporate goals when making major decisions. These insights remind us that on the path to business success, careful planning and an accurate grasp of market trends are indispensable. Let us approach every business decision with greater prudence and wisdom, ready to embrace its challenges.

Over a decade, a collection of ten remarkable individuals will converge to create a dynamic portrait of the GK alumni community. We eagerly anticipate the forthcoming insights from the GK Alumni Talks, as we collectively bear witness to the intellect and grace of our GK alumni.

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GK ALUMNI TALKS

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