Club Lunch: From Scotland to Hong Kong: How Entrepreneurs Compete On the World Stage

Start-ups and small businesses have come under the spotlight recently both in Hong Kong and overseas. High-tech enterprises are very much in fashion, but companies in more conventional, traditional or esoteric areas can also thrive. Hong Kong-based Scot Andy C. Neilson turned a hobby and passion for collecting toy soldiers from a purely local business to one with an international footprint and clientele. Edinburgh-based Malcolm Offord is parlaying his 26-year City career into investing in Scottish SMEs with global market potential, the first of which, Cashmaster International, established its Asia headquarters in Hong Kong in 2016. The common denominator in Hong Kong and Scotland is a talent for entrepreneurship. But what does it take to succeed beyond home shores, and what are the challenges that lie ahead?

Andy C. Neilson co-founded King & Country in Hong Kong over 30 years ago. He also co-founded legendary Hong Kong bar brands Mad Dogs in Central and Kowloon, and Joe Bananas in Wanchai. A former Royal Marine commando, Andy initially came to Hong Kong in 1977 to join the then Royal Hong Kong Police.

Malcolm Offord, formerly senior partner at Charterhouse Capital Partners, founded boutique family advisory office Badenoch & Co. in Edinburgh in 2014. He is Chairman of the National Museums of Scotland Development Board; a Board Member of Entrepreneurial Scotland; and has recently taken on the chairmanship of London Scottish International rugby club.