Setting sail in 1926, the family business spans across private butler services, charity, religion, trade, warehousing and logistics, catering, education, and more. As the eldest son of the fourth generation, Leo Wang, in an interview with《The Icons》, revealed that he has been deeply moved by the concept of “century-old inheritance” from a young age.
Leo International Group Chairman and Founder Leo Wang, who has had a passion for studying history since his youth, discovered in the process of exploring the management of century-old brands from both China and abroad that the key to a century-old enterprise’s enduring success lies not only in the constant innovation of the business model to meet the needs of customers across different eras but more importantly, in the mission and vision of the company’s leaders. In the transmission through the sands of time, facing the process of iterative transformation, it is crucial to continue contributing value to the world and creating more virtuous cycles.
“Learning from the example of my family’s elders, from social charity and public welfare, all the way to my role as a general manager in century-old foreign companies in Europe and America, we are now joining hands with hundreds of listed international groups to create a new pattern of global luxury services. The core concept in my heart is ‘altruism’, where ‘others’ does not refer to a single person but to the world,” he shared.
Leo Wang, who single-handedly built the Leo International Group, has, in just over five years since its inception in 2016, risen to become Asia’s largest top-tier brand agency distribution group. He joyfully shares that the reason for achieving such impressive global development in such a short time is because he has engraved the ‘altruistic’ spirit of a century-old business into the DNA of Leo International Group, forging a ‘win-win’ situation in collaboration with hundreds of partner brands.
“If you gently uncover the thoughts of the founders of these century-old classic brands, you will definitely see two sides: one is the continuous improvement in their pursuit of business and aspirations; the other, inevitably, is the dedication to the world, and even to the era.” Leo Wang emotionally stated, “A century-old inheritance’s core soul must be empathy with the world.”
From Century-old Family Enterprises to Century-old Foreign companies, Embarking Again on Leo International’s Centennial Journey
Before setting sail with Leo International Group, Leo Wang ascended to the position of General Manager of a European global luxury group at an unusually rapid pace within nine years, taking charge of key markets in Asia-Pacific regions such as Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau before the age of 40. It’s well-known that coming from what seems like a picturesque historical backdrop, century-old European luxury brands, with their unique fashion craftsmanship and patented cutting techniques, have transformed quartz minerals into crystal products that embody romance, fashion, classic, and practicality, establishing the world’s most representative crystal kingdom. What Leo Wang often shares is the brand spirit behind this European luxury crystal kingdom, which has given him deep insights:
“The process of making crystal involves the use of 90% water, hence, the founders of European luxury brands have a special affection for water.” Leo Wang shared that in 1907, the first large hydroelectric power station was established, providing clean energy for cutting machines and lighting energy for nearby mountain areas. Subsequently, several hydroelectric power stations were established in various locations, all recognized as eco-friendly energy plants by European authorities. Additionally, the first cooling tower used to cool air compressors in European luxury started operating in 1970, saving about 90% of water for the cooling process.
“What moves me even more is that European luxury brands have successively opened water resource schools in many countries, including Austria, India, China, and Brazil, providing locals with access to clean water and introducing educational programs to teach people of different ages about the importance of water scarcity. Notice this? While taking care of the Earth, they elevate such kindness to the level of education, thus potentially maximizing the cycle of goodness.”
Having also served as the General Manager of a century-old listed American brand, managing numerous markets in the Asia-Pacific region, Leo Wang is deeply touched by the spirit of these enterprise founders. Over the centuries, these companies have always taken care of banana farmers and other partners in their supply chain, even when they could not guarantee their own profitability, and have continuously strived to develop more sustainable products.
“They keep communicating with their supply chain, and even in their interactions with banana farmers worldwide, they always maintain an educational perspective. At that time, there wasn’t a clear concept like the United Nations’ SDGs (Sustainable Development Goals), but these entrepreneurs, with the world in their hearts, knew that while their businesses prospered, they also had to contribute to maintaining a better world.”
Leo Wang says that this spirit is also at the core of Leo International Group. His international team is making utmost efforts to integrate influential companies and leadership partners from various countries. He sincerely calls on top enterprises and outstanding talents to collaborate on cross-industry innovations, engage in philanthropy, participate in global sustainability efforts, and help improve lives worldwide.
Leo Wang: Education is the Source of Everything
Leo Wang’s family conglomerate is swiftly approaching its centenary, and under his stewardship, Leo International Group has also begun to flourish, with footholds across Asia. Like other centenarian enterprise leaders, Leo Wang never forgets his worldly concerns within his business and aspirations, particularly valuing “education”. Hence, Leo International Group has been a long-term sponsor of the Chinese Childrenhome & Shelter Association (CCSA), dedicated to child welfare.
“Orphanages typically care for ‘lost children’ until they turn 15. However, I believe the decade following their departure from the orphanages is just as crucial in shaping their entire lives. In other words, during these critical ten years, the people they meet and the experiences they undergo will undoubtedly affect them for life. I am deeply moved by CCSA’s mission and vision, and thus, I am willing to support the association to the best of my ability, enabling social workers to assist these children during their critical decade.”
Leo Wang notes that CCSA provides not only care, counseling, and financial assistance for living and education but crucially, fosters a positive cycle where numerous self-reliant youths serve as mentors, returning to help their younger counterparts:
“These stable, independent young individuals, who have entered companies like TSMC and Microsoft or have become outstanding leaders in their fields, use their summer vacations to visit various orphanages, foster care institutions, and correctional schools to share their stories. Seeing them narrate how they overcame setbacks, healed from their wounds, and gradually transformed their lives, and how they can turn around to encourage and support their younger brothers and sisters, convinces me that the future of this world lies with these children.”
Leo Wang recalls his desire to help underprivileged children, a sentiment rooted in his upbringing by his mother, “My mother was a nun who had embarked on the path of social welfare long before taking her vows. From a young age, I saw a diverse array of people, young and old, seeking my mother’s assistance with various life issues at our home. Witnessing their struggles and feeling my mother’s love for them, she expected me to ‘take from society and give back to society’, always embedding care for the community into our business.”
Leo Wang hopes his actions to improve the world will inspire more capable and willing individuals to join in giving back to society and supporting the vulnerable. With funding from Leo International Group, CCSA appointed Olympic gold medalist Kuo Hsing-chun as their spokesperson, launching the “Hope Heritage, Walk Across Taiwan” press conference in June last year to call for wider support. In March this year, they plan to hold a consensus camp in central Taiwan, where colleagues and volunteers from various locations will gather to plan further future visions, aiming to elevate children to new heights. Leo Wang can barely contain his excitement:
“We also support the preparation of a special book for the association, looking forward to its presentation to everyone soon. Ultimately, I’m willing to invest significant time and resources in these meaningful activities, both to honor my mother’s beliefs in giving back to society and to encourage more outstanding entrepreneurs to care for the next generation through Leo International.”
Leo Wang often shares with his partners that the United Nations SDGs are a common direction of effort, emphasizing the importance of doing as much as one can, “The UN has 17 SDGs, each of paramount importance, and Leo International Group’s business scope encompasses many aspects of ESG and SDGs. However, personally, I place special emphasis on the ‘education’ sector. Knowledge changes destinies, and this is the power to change the world.”
Heading Towards a NASDAQ Listing: Ultimate Altruism
Reflecting on the scope of services provided by Leo International Group, it’s easy to see Leo Wang’s international perspective and proactive approach in the group’s development. Since its establishment in 2016, the group has gradually built a cross-industry alliance, becoming Asia’s leading luxury service agency group. It represents 170 international luxury brands, 8 yacht brands, 3 equestrian and 10 supercar brands, manages 4,600 private jets across 300 cities worldwide, and offers membership booking privileges at over 5,000 luxury hotels. With top 100 global luxury brand partners, it integrates ten major sectors including “health seminar, asset trends seminar, technology, art, equestrianism, yachting, supercars, private jets, luxury goods, and resort dining”, providing comprehensive top-tier services to Asia’s elite, akin to having a family private butler, and is acclaimed as Asia’s “leading guide to top-tier lifestyle”.
Currently, Leo International Group’s cross-border services are expanding across major Asian cities. With the 2023 Nasdaq IPO guidance initiated, the establishment of US and Hong Kong holding companies includes services in Taiwan’s northern, central, and southern regions, as well as in Xiamen, Beijing, Shanghai, Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur, and other locations with clubhouses opening in succession. Applying for a Nasdaq listing in 2024, the company will continue its acquisition operations, with new openings in Sanya, Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Jakarta, Tokyo, Osaka, Guangzhou, Seoul, and Dubai. Early 2024 will see tours in major Asian cities—Hong Kong, Shanghai, Singapore, Taipei, etc., in collaboration with private banks, investment banks, and yacht clubs to host VIP events, offering health seminar, asset trends seminar, luxury travel seminar, and numerous luxury private services. After the 2025 listing, there will be further expansion into the Europe and America regions, including London, Paris, Vancouver, Los Angeles, Seattle, Madrid, Rome, Milan, and Abu Dhabi, with plans to expand more clubhouses in these areas.
Leo Wang states that the group will continue to merge ten major sectors and a total of over 33 industry-crossing brand partners, operating like a “comprehensive top-tier lifestyle service version of Berkshire Hathaway”, rapidly acquiring a variety of enterprises for listing. After listing, the company will continue investing in excellent listed companies and startups with growth potential, becoming a comprehensive holding company. It is expected to list on the main board of the US NASDAQ within 18 to 36 months, achieving the listing plan.
As the business scope rapidly expands, garnering widespread optimism, Leo Wang remains true to his original intention, embracing the “altruism” belief that is indispensable in the annals of century-old enterprises:
“I’ve always held a vision that capable people integrate resources for mutual benefit, making the world a better place. Sun Yat-sen said, ‘Politics is the affair of the people,’ and managing the affairs of the people is politics. I often quote this to share that improving people’s lives is indeed the affair of the people and also the common social responsibility of entrepreneurs.”
Leo Wang says, as Leo International’s scope grows, so does its responsibility:
“But I will definitely persist and continue to invite outstanding leaders from all walks of society to change the world together.”
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