Chopsticks Champions

Chopsticks is blessed with a number of key business people who see the value of what we do and its enormous potential connecting businesses, communities and individuals and who are championing our work.

Rupert Hoogewerf, Founder & compiler, Hurun Rich List

Rupert Hoogewerf, renowned in China for his Rich List, is an entrepreneur and long-term Shanghai resident. Rupert studied Mandarin and Business studies and founded China Tuesdays, the forerunner to the Chopsticks Club in 1993. Through his work Rupert is on the pulse of the changing trends of the growing class of wealthy Chinese people in China and tracks their tastes in luxury brands ranging from watches to cars to overseas resorts.

Nick Morris, Chairman, IPA Economics

Nicholas Morris currently works for IPA Asia Energy + Water, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Dar Al-Handasah, a leading Middle Eastern professional services group (see www.dargroup.com).

Nick has over 30 years’ experience of policy analysis, research and consultancy in finance, public policy and infrastructure. He has worked on the economics, finance and regulation of energy, water, transport and telecoms in UK, Europe, Australia, USA, SE Asia, India, China, Korea and Japan. Following the privatization of UK infrastructure (water, telecoms, gas, electricity, transport) he served on numerous regulatory committees and advised bodies such as the Water Companies Association, Regional Electricity Companies and the various regulators. 

CHINA LINKS:
Nick has worked in China for the last six years. Some of his main activities are listed here:
• Leading numerous workshops and keynote speeches at the China Executive Leadership Academy, Pudong, a premier training institution for China’s leaders
• International Adviser to the Securities Investor Protection Fund (China Securities Regulatory Commission), including research on investor protection regimes worldwide
• Leading an Asian Development Bank project on Chinese Debt Management for the Ministry of Finance, NDRC and SAFE

Celia Couchman, Film Producer, White Tiger Management

Former Marketing Director for Guiness in Africa, Celia is passionate about Africa, development, sustainability and fostering understanding between other cultures.

Chinese investments all over Africa have piqued her interest and she recognises the contribution the Chopsticks Club has in promoting good bi-lateral relations and helping business people to reach their goals.

Celia now works in film. She wrote Critical Assignment, based on a character Michael Power who was the hero in a Guinness Marketing Campaign in Africa that she devised, won the Jury Prize for best Feature Film at The Hollywood Black Film festival.

Barnaby Powell, Author

Barnaby is a Chinese Son-in-Law and has been connected with China for several decades. Co-author of two excellent books entitled 'China Counting' and 'China Calling,' Barnaby's narrative aids the China-focused professional in understanding the nature of Chinese society and doing business there in the new century.

Barnaby is a veteran of development banking in East and Southeast Asia. He was founding Director of the Asia-Invest Programme for the European Commission and has over 35 years' experience in the strategic nature of Asian negotiations. He also served as Secretary-General of the European Chamber of Commerce in Taipei.

A staunch Chopsticks Club member and Author of excellent manuals to understanding the nature of Chinese society and doing business there in the new century.