Bernard Kwok

Founded and led a B2B trading company specializing in the procurement and distribution of corn starch for industrial customers (paper mill) across China.
Key Responsibilities
• Established and managed all aspects of the business, including strategy, operations, finance, procurement, sales, and customer relationships.
• Built and maintained long-term relationships with suppliers and industrial customers.
• Negotiated commercial contracts and managed pricing, logistics, and supply chain operations.
• Oversaw financial performance, cash flow, and business development initiatives.
• Identified new market opportunities and expanded the company's customer base.
Key Achievements
• Successfully established and operated the business for seven years in a competitive B2B commodity market.
• Developed a reliable supplier network and maintained long-term customer relationships.
• Managed end-to-end trading operations from sourcing through delivery while ensuring customer satisfaction.

Reported directly to the CEO at the Group Operations Headquarters, providing strategic leadership across procurement, capital projects, and operational excellence for one of Asia's largest paper manufacturers.
Key Responsibilities
• Served as a strategic advisor to the CEO on operational, commercial, and corporate initiatives.
• Led a multidisciplinary team of approximately 200 employees across procurement, engineering, and project management.
• Managed an annual procurement budget of approximately AUD 150 million for critical production raw materials.
• Directed a capital project portfolio of approximately AUD 200 million, ensuring effective governance, budget control, and project execution.
• Led procurement strategy, supplier negotiations, and business transformation initiatives to improve operational performance and reduce costs.
Key Achievements
• Reduced core raw material procurement costs by approximately 10% by redesigning the procurement process, implementing strategic sourcing practices, and strengthening supplier negotiations, delivering substantial ongoing savings to the business.
• Successfully delivered a major greenfield paper mill project on schedule and within budget, navigating complex government regulations and approval processes while negotiating with construction contractors, government agencies, and other key stakeholders to keep the project on track.
• Partnered closely with the CEO to drive strategic initiatives and support executive decision-making across the Group's manufacturing operations.

Promoted from Sales Director to Factory General Manager with full P&L responsibility for one of the Group's two manufacturing facilities, generating approximately HKD 250 million in annual revenue.
Key Responsibilities
• Directed all aspects of manufacturing operations, including production, engineering, quality, procurement, supply chain, maintenance, administration, and workplace safety.
• Led a workforce of approximately 1,000 employees, driving operational excellence, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Held full accountability for financial performance, cost control, production planning, and continuous improvement.
• Built strong relationships with international customers to ensure consistent quality, on-time delivery, and long-term business partnerships.
• Built and maintained a close relationship with different levels of local government.
Key Achievements
• Held full P&L responsibility for a manufacturing operation generating approximately HKD 250 million in annual revenue.
• Maintained a net profit margin of 15–20% throughout a five-year period while managing business expansion and increasing operational complexity.
• Expanded the workforce from 500 to approximately 1,000 employees to support sustained business growth.
• Increased production capacity by approximately 40% through strategic investment, process optimisation, and operational improvements.
• Established new value-added production lines, improving product mix, increasing margins, and strengthening the company's competitive position.
• Promoted from Sales Director in recognition of outstanding commercial performance and leadership capability.

Led the Group's global sales and business development strategy, with responsibility for expanding the customer base, increasing market share, and driving sustainable revenue growth.

Key Responsibilities

• Developed and executed the Group's sales strategy across domestic and international markets.
• Identified and secured new business opportunities with leading global apparel brands and retailers.
• Led commercial negotiations, pricing strategies, and long-term customer relationship management.
• Worked closely with production, sourcing, and logistics teams to align manufacturing capacity with customer demand.
• Represented the company in negotiations with international customers and strategic business partners.

Key Achievements

• Tripled the company's annual turnover from just over HKD 100 million in 2005 to more than HKD 350 million by 2010 through strategic business development, customer acquisition, and market expansion.
• Successfully expanded the company's customer base and increased market share by securing business from internationally recognised brands, including Marks & Spencer, Calvin Klein, and Victoria's Secret.
• Built long-term strategic relationships with major international customers, strengthening the company's position in the global textile market.
• Played a key role in driving sustained revenue growth through proactive business development and strategic account management.

Responsible for developing the Australian market for aluminium extrusion products while establishing procurement channels for recycled metals to support the company's manufacturing operations in China.
Key Responsibilities
• Developed new business opportunities and expanded the Australian market for aluminium extrusion products.
• Built relationships with distributors, fabricators, construction companies, and industrial customers throughout Australia.
• Sourced and purchased recycled metals, including aluminium, copper, and stainless steel, for export to the company's refining operations in China.
• Negotiated commercial agreements with suppliers and customers, ensuring competitive pricing and reliable supply.
• Managed export logistics and coordinated with the China headquarters to ensure efficient procurement and delivery.
• Represented the company in Australia, strengthening its market presence and supplier network.
Key Achievements
• Successfully established the company's presence in the Australian aluminium extrusion market.
• Developed a reliable procurement network for recycled metals, supporting the company's raw material requirements in China.
• Built long-term commercial relationships with Australian suppliers and industrial customers.

Managed the implementation of credit risk management software and consumer/business credit data solutions for financial institutions following contract award. Partnered with customers to ensure successful system deployment while identifying opportunities to expand the use of value-added products and services.
Key Responsibilities
• Managed end-to-end implementation of credit risk management software and credit data solutions for banks and financial institutions.
• Acted as the primary contact for customers during implementation, ensuring projects were delivered on time and met business requirements.
• Gathered customer requirements and coordinated with technical teams to configure, test, and deploy software solutions.
• Delivered user training, post-implementation support, and ongoing customer consulting.
• Identified customer needs and promoted value-added products and services, supporting account growth and strengthening long-term client relationships.

• Worked closely with Sales, Technical Support, and Product Development teams to maximise customer satisfaction and commercial outcomes.
Key Achievement
• Successfully delivered multiple customer implementation projects while contributing to additional revenue opportunities through the promotion of value-added products and services.

1997 – 2001
Worked within the Asia Pacific Risk Management team, specialising in credit risk assessment, fraud prevention/control for consumer and commercial card portfolios.
Key Responsibilities
• Assessed credit risk and supported credit approval decisions across the Asia Pacific region.
• Investigated and managed fraud risks, implementing measures to minimise financial losses and protect customers.
• Analysed transaction patterns and account behaviour to identify potential fraud and emerging risks.
• Worked closely with cross-functional teams to strengthen internal controls, risk governance, and operational processes.
• Contributed to maintaining high standards of compliance, customer service, and portfolio performance.