KPMG at 80: Hong Kong’s Trusted Partner Eyes the Future
KPMG just turned 80 in Hong Kong, and the milestone was more than a celebration — it was a statement. With Hong Kong under pressure to prove its resilience as a global financial hub, one of the Big Four is doubling down on its bet: trust, transparency, and an unwavering belief in the city’s future.
Since opening shop in 1945, KPMG has become a cornerstone of Hong Kong’s rise as an international financial centre. From supporting banks and multinationals to advising on landmark IPOs and M&A deals, the firm’s imprint is visible across the city’s financial infrastructure.
«KPMG’s journey is intertwined with the story of our city’s economic ascent,» said Chief Executive John KC Lee, praising the firm’s role in shaping Hong Kong’s modern markets.
Beijing Ties, Global Reach
KPMG was the first of the Big Four to expand into the Chinese Mainland back in 1983. Today, it operates in 31 cities with over 14,000 professionals across China.
That presence underscores the firm’s dual bet: Hong Kong as a launchpad and the Mainland as the growth engine.
«KPMG will, as always, provide the assurance, insight and expertise that enable capital to flow, businesses to grow, and trust to flourish,» Lee added.
Legacy Built on People
At the anniversary gala, Honson To, Chairman of KPMG Asia Pacific and KPMG China, credited partnerships – with clients, regulators, and communities – as the firm’s defining strength.
He pointed to KPMG’s «10by30» initiative, which aims to empower 10 million disadvantaged young people globally by 2030, as proof that the firm’s social commitments run alongside its financial ambitions. «Our commitment to being worthy of your trust is stronger than ever,» Honson To declared.
Optimism in Uncertain Times
Hong Kong’s financial centre status has faced headwinds in recent years, but KPMG’s message was clear: it is staying the course. Vice Chairman Ivy Cheung stressed, «Our 80-year journey is a testament to the strong relationships we’ve built and our unwavering belief in the city’s future.»
With succession also in motion – Chairman-elect Jacky Zou promising continuity on «the bedrock of trust, excellence, and forward thinking» – KPMG is signalling both stability and ambition.
Betting Big
As Hong Kong navigates global competition and shifting capital flows, KPMG’s 80th anniversary wasn’t just nostalgia. It was a reminder that trust is still currency – and that one of the world’s most powerful accounting networks is betting big on the city’s next chapter.
