Interview with OSL's New Chairman, Li Jinhong: From Legal Luminary to Pioneer in Digital Assets
Source: OSL
Mr. Li Jinhong, a distinguished legal expert with over forty years of experience, has recently embraced a new challenge by taking on the role of Chairman of the Board at OSL. OSL is a leading digital asset platform based in Hong Kong, known for its comprehensive regulatory compliance and insurance protections. From 1996 to June 2024, Mr. Li served as the Chairman of Baker McKenzie's Hong Kong and China offices, with a remarkable career that spans over 46 years at the firm. Mr. Li has extended his expertise to significant regulatory and community affairs, currently serving as the Chairman of the Securities and Futures Commission’s(SFC) Review Committee and the Chairman of the Hospital Authority Staff Appeals Committee, demonstrating his deep involvement in financial regulation and public service. He has also been a member of the SFC’s Takeovers and Mergers Panel and the Takeovers Appeal Committee from 2020 to 2024, further highlighting his thorough understanding of financial markets and corporate governance. As an outstanding senior member of the Hong Kong Securities and Investment Institute, his extensive experience in securities and investment provides a solid foundation for his new role. Additionally, his commitment to community service is evident from his previous roles, including his service with the Hong Kong Housing Society and his contributions as Chairman of the Hospital Governing Committee of the Eastern Hospital, Pamela Youde Nethersole from 2007 to 2017. The OSL PR team had the privilege of interviewing Mr. Li to explore his personal journey and governance philosophy, providing a deeper understanding of this senior industry professional's unique insights in his new role.
Q: You have over 40 years of experience in the legal field, particularly with Baker McKenzie. What inspired your transition into the digital asset industry, and how do you think your legal expertise will benefit OSL?
Mr. Li : After 46 years in the legal field, I felt it was time to take on a new challenge. Throughout my career, I have witnessed the profound impact of digital transformation on economic infrastructure and society as a whole. My expertise has focused on capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and governance, particularly in the corporate transformation of listed companies. I firmly believe that the digital asset and fintech sectors will become the future pillars of the global economy. My new role at OSL allows me to apply my extensive experience to this industry and redefine financial transactions and assets.
Q: What attracts you to this industry? What motivated you to join OSL?
Mr. Li: As a regulated digital asset platform in Hong Kong, OSL’s unique position offers enormous growth potential and opportunities for the entire region’s industry development. This dual advantage was a major factor in my decision to take on this challenge. In my experience, regardless of the industry, a company’s success depends on whether its shared vision permeates across all levels of the organization. This vision is not only closely aligned with the goals of leadership, but it also requires the recognition and support of the entire team. Furthermore, a shared vision can drive important transformation and continuous business growth. I am very excited to bring this philosophy to OSL and hope to cultivate a sense of common mission that will drive our business forward.
Q: What are the standards of an excellent company, in your view?
Mr. Li: To me, an excellent company should first and foremost be a happy workplace, where the well-being and satisfaction of all stakeholders—employees, shareholders, and clients—are prioritized. The key to achieving this goal is establishing a common vision that unites everyone. I hope to integrate this philosophy at OSL and bring a positive impact to the entire organization. OSL has always maintained extremely high regulatory standards within its field. I believe that I can use my experience to further enhance these standards, creating a fairer and more transparent working and trading environment both internally and externally. As a listed company in Hong Kong, we have a responsibility to ensure the company operates with high transparency through financial reporting and the disclosure of capital information. However, I am also confident that there is room for improvement in the company’s compliance and regulatory practices. By increasing transparency and leveraging our regulatory background, we can attract more high-quality partners and clients. Internally, I strongly believe in the importance of implementing an open policy. It fosters a systematic and open communication environment, allowing the management to better understand the perspectives of frontline employees.
Q: What is your life motto or management philosophy?
Mr. Li: My philosophy is simple: always maintain an open mind, actively listen, and keep learning. Valuable insights can often come from unexpected places. This continuous learning mindset has greatly benefited me throughout my career, and I believe it is even more essential in a dynamic industry like digital assets.
Q: Which department will you focus on first in your new role?
Mr. Li:I am particularly interested in the company’s operations and look forward to diving deep into this area. The business model is the foundation of all company activities, so understanding it is crucial for my future work. By thoroughly examining the operational details, we can identify the key drivers of the company’s success and areas that need improvement, which is vital for enhancing performance and addressing any issues more effectively.
Q: What do you hope to achieve in the first six months?
Mr. Li: In the next six months, my primary goal is to make OSL a truly happy workplace. I firmly believe that a positive work environment is the cornerstone of success. When team members are energetic, motivated, and satisfied with their work, they naturally provide better service to clients and generate better performance for shareholders. Focusing on company culture and employee satisfaction will be my main priority during the initial phase at OSL.
Conclusion:
Mr. Li's unique sensitivity in the legal field, insight into regulation, and deep community involvement make him an important force in driving OSL to new heights. His wealth of experience in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions, and corporate governance, combined with his clear vision for the future of financial markets, makes him an ideal leader to guide OSL through the ever-evolving digital asset landscape.
Original article from Foresightnews:
https://foresightnews.pro/article/detail/70167
AIC Team
2024/11/11
