Christine Hau, Co-Founder and Executive Director of Lead8 Honored at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards 2020

SINGAPORE -�Media OutReach - 2 December
2020 - Enterprise Asia is pleased to present an impressive list of
sixty-one outstanding award recipients at the Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards
(APEA) 2020 Regional Edition. These leading figures have set and proven
themselves consistent and exceptional entrepreneurial spirit in going above and beyond expectations
during this unprecedented year.

Established in 2007, APEA recognises outstanding entrepreneurs and organisation representing the best the
industry has to offer. An initiative by Enterprise Asia, the region’s leading
NGO, APEA is the largest regional recognition program, with over 3,000
nominations received each year, and less than one-tenth of that receiving the
awards in all 14 markets. 

This year, Enterprise Asia has
rebranded its flagship program — APEA, from Asia Pacific Entrepreneurship
Awards to Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards with two additional enterprise
awarding categories – Inspirational Brand Award and Fast Enterprise Award in
bid to further recognise championing enterprises in strong
reputation and thriving growth. This brings APEA to a total of four awarding
categories — Master Entrepreneur, Corporate Excellence, Inspirational Brand,
and Fast Enterprise.

Due to the impact of the pandemic, APEA
2020 Regional Edition was commenced virtually on 20 November 2020 with the
theme of ‘Accelerating Growth Beyond
Borders’.  The theme objective is to unlock boundaries
and shifting businesses to move beyond adaption and lead with impact. The APEA
has gathered distinguished business leaders and organisations across 14 countries and markets into one unparalleled platform
in fostering the continuity of sustainable entrepreneur growth in Asia.

Introduction

Christine Hau is a Co-Founder of the Hong Kong based,
multi-award-winning architecture and design firm Lead8. She leads the Corporate
Division and is responsible for business management, operations, legal,
financial and corporate governance strategies for the studio.

Christine is recognised for her ability to establish global channels,
unite complex legal and compliance frameworks across multiple studio locations
and empower regional leadership. Key to enabling this is her knowledge of
finance and taxation along with her experience in complex restructuring,
international expansion and capital market transactions, as it pertains to the
design industry.

Christine believes that successful entrepreneurs must commit to what
they believe in order to fully live and execute their dream because this is
especially important to build trust in your staff, business partners and
mentors. Not only that, she believes that action is the thing that rallies
others to your cause, encouraging them to build the dream, learn and do more.

Established in 2014, Lead8 is an international multi-disciplinary
architecture and design studio with a reputation for fusing creative thinking
with award-winning experience. The Company now employs over 250 people across
Hong Kong, Singapore, Malaysia and the UK. Under her leadership, Lead8 has
emerged as a fledgling upstart to a serious contender for some of the region’s
most prestigious developments. The studio’s portfolio has grown to a span more
than 500 projects across 40 cities including high-profile developments for some
of the world’s leading property developers.

Lead8’s mission is to design ahead of the curve; creating places and
spaces which engage, inspire and give back to the communities of today, and
tomorrow. The team delivers an integrated approach which blends informed
strategy, cutting-edge technology and exceptional design skill to transform
ambition into meaningful built environments.

Corporate Culture

Lead8 knows their people are their best asset. They foster
a culture of leadership and mentorship, offer an inclusive working environment
and access to an acclaimed portfolio, knowing that if their people excel, so
too does the studio. As such, they have attracted a multidisciplinary team with
a diverse and international mindset, growing to now represent more than 20
nationalities and speaking over 15 languages.

The firm sees success as fostering leadership and collaboration — giving
teams the opportunity to grow both personally and professionally. Through
active mentorship and a ‘Design Review’ programme, they have built their own
collaborative community, empowering young designers to bring new insight and
innovation with expert guidance to fuel the creative process.

Lead8 has been recognised for investing in their team and community. They
have received awards that range from their enhancement of retirement benefits
for their employees, to their participation in awareness and fundraising
projects with leading charitable organisations.

Growth Initiatives

At the end of 2019, Lead8 made the move from their founding Hong Kong
studio in a former industrial warehouse to a new Grade A office building to
accommodate a growing team. The move marked the firm’s fifth anniversary and
coincided with a brand evolution to reflect Lead8’s transformation from Hong
Kong start-up to international award-winning design firm. The recent brand
refresh for Lead8 also provides greater platform for awareness in the industry
and entry into new markets. The scope included enhancing the firm’s digital
presence and involved launching a new website and further social media
platforms.

Achievements Under Christine

Christine has led the establishment of the firm’s business and
operational structure, and facilitated expansion across Asia and the United
Kingdom. She has established an operational platform for an expanding team
working across hundreds of live projects around the world. She spearheads all
aspects of brand stewardship, corporate identity, marketing and communications
strategy and public relations. In the firm’s fifth anniversary in 2019,
Christine redefined the Lead8 brand. Embarking on a reimagining of Lead8’s
physical and digital presence, she managed the coordination of a newly designed
studio headquarters, website, as well as digital and printed communications
collateral and merchandise. Christine’s accomplishments are succinctly
demonstrated through the Company’s financial performance, increased
productivity, heightened brand awareness and strengthened internal and external
management.

Lead8’s Achievements and Impact

Lead8 has
achieved spectacular growth in just six years, expanding from a team of eight
to now over 250 with offices in Hong Kong, Singapore, Kuala Lumpur and London, and
more than 500 projects around the world. Over the last two years, Lead8 has
been appointed by some of the world’s leading property developers, owners and
operators including China Resources Land, Shangri-La
Group, New World Development Company Limited, Hong Kong
International Airport, Hongkong Land and Frasers
Property Holdings Company Limited.

Beyond the
commercial fee-paying portfolio of work, Lead8 firmly established their
commitment to community from the outset. Looking to drive change and debate for
their home city of Hong Kong, Lead8 forged ‘HarbourLoop’; a self-funded
conceptual initiative which envisions connecting and transforming 23km of the
city’s underutilised waterfront into an
urban cycling and walking route for the public.

Lead8’s
vision has helped give a voice to the development of the city’s beloved natural
asset. The team at Lead8 has presented the concept to Hong Kong’s leading
governing body, spoken at multiple public and professional forums, been
published across the region’s leading media and also recognised
by international programs such as the World
Architecture Festival and German Design Awards; all with the desire to
drive positive change for the city.

 

Moving Forward

When the
business commenced, there was a belief in the inevitable success of the studio.
Each member shared a passion for design, and the creation of places would
positively contribute to communities. This belief remains. Design is about
sharing knowledge, and creating better communities for people to live, work and
play. 

Looking to
the future, Lead8’s portfolio continues to expand geographically with
sector-leading projects. The studio’s business expansion has always taken a
fluid approach – going to wherever opportunity arises. Lead8 continues to
explore opportunities around the world, across all sectors and services. While
confidential, current projects will see the firm expand their presence in new
markets, adding project locations in Australia and Europe. The firm is also
seeking to expand the office network, Mainland China is of key interest.

As
boundaries between sectors and markets blur, collaborations with new industry
partners will open new opportunities. Lead8 is well-positioned to adapt to
these new prospects and evolve their offering to benefit clients, communities
and creatives.

About Enterprise Asia

Enterprise
Asia is a non-governmental organisation in pursuit of creating an Asia that is
rich in entrepreneurship as an engine towards sustainable and progressive
economic and social development within a world of economic equality. Its two
pillars of existence are investment in people and responsible entrepreneurship.
Enterprise Asia works with governments, NGOs and other organisations to promote
competitiveness and entrepreneurial development, in uplifting the economic
status of people across Asia and in ensuring a legacy of hope, innovation and
courage for the future generation. For further information, visit www.enterpriseasia.org.

About Asia Pacific Enterprise Awards

Launched in 2007, the Asia Pacific
Enterprise Awards is the region’s most prestigious awards for outstanding entrepreneurship,
continuous innovation and sustainable leadership. The Award provides a platform
for companies and governments to recognise entrepreneurial excellence, hence
spurring greater innovation, fair business practices and growth in
entrepreneurship. As a regional award, it groups together leading entrepreneurs
as a powerful voice for entrepreneurship and serves as a by-invitation only
networking powerhouse. The program has grown to encompass 14 countries and
markets all over Asia. For more information, visit: www.apea.asia