Simon Murray - who helped build Cheung Kong (Holdings) and Hutchison Whampoa into two of the most powerful companies in Hong Kong - has sold his entire stake in both. Mr Murray - who remains a director of Li Ka-shing's flagship companies - quit active management responsibilities for the empire five years ago. Reasons behind his decision to sell his shares at a time when both have been hit severely by the market correction remain unknown. According to stock exchange reports, Mr Murray sold all 211,000 shares in Cheung Kong at $34.60 each and 165,000 shares in Hutchison at an average of $37.55 each. The disposals raised $13.49 million. Cheung Kong shares closed yesterday down 90 cents at $36.10 while Hutchison shares dropped $1.40 to $39.10. A former French Foreign Legion veteran, Mr Murray was the man who helped turn Hutchison into one of Hong Kong's biggest conglomerates. He began his career with Hutchison in 1984 and left as managing director in 1993 to join Deutsche Bank Group. Mr Murray has set up his own company Simon Murray & Co after leaving Deutsche Bank at the end of last year and recently joined consulting firm Bain & Co as a senior adviser. Mr Murray sold down his share holdings in Cheung Kong and Hutchison earlier this year. He reportedly sold 3,000 Cheung Kong shares at $57.50 each and 180,000 Hutchison shares at $57.75 each on March 30.