KMB family scion travels along his own road

FLAMBOYANT AND BLUNT are adjectives William Louey Lai-kuen, a director at Kowloon Motor Bus (Holdings) (KMB), uses to describe himself.

Despite being from the third generation of the Louey family - one of the four families that founded the 70-year-old firm - Mr Louey does not disguise his ambition to found his own business and lack of interest in polishing the family silver.

Believing professionals will run the family business better, Mr Louey takes a non-executive role in KMB and an active role in investing in a lucrative joint-venture, Hong Kong Construction (Technology), which offers green solutions to shore up slopes in Hong Kong.

'I spend 60 per cent of my work time on the slope business, 30 per cent on apparel retailing and seafood export and the remainder on family business,' Mr Louey says.

'My experience tells me that I should let professionals manage business I am not good at.'

While teaming up with partners to distribute clothing in China, Mr Louey set up an education fund, the William S. D. Louey Foundation, in memory of his grandfather.

The Informer quizzed the flamboyant businessman to find out his preferences - what he wears, how he protects his fragile skin and where he likes to travel.