Mission: Improve business and cultural ties between Richmond and China and help newcomers assimilate into the community
Assets: Multicultural sensibilities and connections
Yield: Partner in a thriving law firm and recently elected as head of Richmond’s Chamber of Commerce
By Andrew Petrozzi
The voice of Richmond business has taken on a decidedly international tone.
Improving business and cultural ties between Richmond and China is top of mind these days for Tony Kwan, 43, chairman of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce and a partner with that city’s largest law firm, Pryke Lambert Leathley Russell LLP.
Born in Hong Kong, Kwan moved to Canada with his family when he was two years old. Educated in Vancouver at the University of British Columbia (UBC), he joined Pryke Lambert Leathley Russell as an associate in 1994.
He was made a partner in 2005.
“We understand that even though businesses are in Richmond, we can’t just confine ourselves to businesses in Richmond. We have to be more international,” said Kwan, seated casually at the boardroom table of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce shortly after returning from a trip to Shanghai and Richmond’s friendship city, Xiamen.
Starting as a chamber director in 2006, Kwan became chairman of its international committee in 2008 before being elected as chairman of the chamber in June 2010.
A Cantonese speaker, Kwan said part of his role is to help people assimilate into the community.
“I see both sides of it. I know how hard it is for new immigrants to assimilate into this culture. Likewise, I understand how difficult it can be for a non-Asian to get into a market like China.”
One reason for his business success is an ability to find the necessary links to attract international clients by explaining how local markets react to their actions.
Practising primarily in real estate development, commercial lending and general corporate and commercial transactions, Kwan originally guessed his future would be in medicine after he obtained a bachelor of science degree in genetics from UBC in 1989.
“I’ve always been part of a typical Asian family that has been motivated to be a professional, and I always thought I was going to want to be a doctor.”
But he subsequently found that he wasn’t suited for it.
“I took my LSAT [law school admission] test just as a backup. I never prepared for it,” he said. “I just had fun and did well. It seemed like it [came] fairly naturally to me.”
Over Kwan’s past 14 years as a lawyer, his firm’s client base has expanded from being primarily local to one boasting a much more international component in part because of his company’s community tolerance, friendliness and “vibrant” multiculturalism.
Understanding clients from their perspective has been an important tool in Kwan’s career, as has listening to and observing those around him as much as possible.
“I find I learn so much from my clients,” he said. “I don’t think of myself as knowing much more than my clients. I am very fortunate that I have a lot of clients that I really respect as businesspeople.”
A willingness to listen and work as part of team is hard-wired into the work ethic that Kwan applies to everything from his professional and chamber obligations to his community involvement.
“We find that teamwork is very important, and I find that in our practice, teamwork is a key component. We have to feel that we are part of a team. That’s what we have developed here at the chamber. I may be the head person, but it’s the work of all of us.”
Continuous learning and respect for what can be learned from others is essential.
“To me it’s a perfect situation. You’re involved in business, but I’m not taking the risk,” he said. “I’m living vicariously through my clients.”
Gerard Edwards, co-founder and partner of incisiveMARKETING, is chairman of the Richmond Chamber of Commerce’s international committee.
He characterized Kwan as a strong leader who gets involved where and when he can be most effective.
“He is considerate, seeks input and involves those around him in the process and ensures everyone is recognized for their contribution.”
Edwards said Kwan is a leader who works best when surrounded by competent people and who is not afraid to make the call when the time comes. He added that while Kwan shares the recognition with those that contributed, he can be modest about his own achievements.
That sentiment is shared by Adrian Chan, vice-president, commercial banking, with HSBC Bank Canada.
“Tony’s strongest business attribute is his focus on relationships, and he is a very accommodating person.”
Always remembering to ask has been a hallmark of Kwan’s successful career to date.
“I was very fortunate as a young lawyer,” he said. “A lot of big-time developers gave me some great opportunities when I was a very young lawyer. I would sometimes question myself. Why would they use me? But sometimes you just have to ask.”
Telling potential clients you’re interested in what they’re doing and expressing a desire to get involved might seem risky, but most people welcome the initiative and business often flows from it.
Kwan said he tends to focus his community involvement energies on one organization at a time. The chamber takes up much of his time outside of work now, but prior to that he was a member of the Richmond Sunset Rotary Club, where he was president from 2003 to 2004. He was also the co-organizer of the inaugural Vive la France Wine Gala at Richmond City Hall.
According to Kwan, professional and personal achievement comes from listening to others, developing one’s core skills and modesty in the face of success.
“I was very successful very early in my career and that probably got to my head a little bit and I expected that to happen forever. It didn’t happen forever. That cockiness went away when there was a downturn. Business goes in flows. You learn to appreciate it. This is not something you can take for granted. When you have something good, first of all, appreciate it, but also continue to grow it. Don’t assume it’s going to continue forever.”