EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 

Mr. Yan Zhi (閻志) is the executive Director of the Company since the establishment of the Group and has been re- designated as co-chairman of the board since August 2015 and co-chief executive officer since July 2018. He is primarily responsible for the Group’s overall business and investment strategies, as well as supervising its project planning, business and operation management. He is also a member of the nomination committee of the Company. Mr. Yan also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. Mr. Yan Zhi is the founder of the Group and has extensive industry experience in commercial property and wholesale market and other investment and enterprise management experience in various industries including finance, real estate, logistics, commerce and aviation. Mr. Yan Zhi is a non-independent director and chairman of Hanshang Group Co., Ltd. (漢商集團股份有限公司), a company listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange. Mr. Yan Zhi has been appointed as a director of LightInTheBox, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, since 30 March 2016, and has been appointed as chairman of the board since 28 June 2018. Mr. Yan Zhi has been appointed as an independent director of DouYu International Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Nasdaq Stock Market, since July 2019. Mr. Yan Zhi was a non-executive director and cochairman of China Infrastructure & Logistics Group Ltd., which is listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange (stock code: 1719), and resigned in May 2022. Mr. Yan Zhi is the representative of the 14th National People’s Congress of Hubei Province. In August 2017, he was elected as the chairman of the Wuhan Federation of Industry and Commerce. Mr. Yan Zhi received a master’s degree in business administration for senior executives from Wuhan University (武漢大學) in February 2008 and his executive master of business administration degree at Cheung Kong Graduate School of Management (長江商學院) in September 2013, and was awarded a doctoral degree in Chinese History by Wuhan University in June 2018. 

Dr. Gang Yu (于剛) was appointed as an executive Director and co-chairman of the Board on 17 August 2015. Dr. Yu also serves as director to a subsidiary of the Group. Dr. Yu is currently a co-founder and executive chairman of the 111 Inc., a well-known pharmaceutical e-commerce platform listed on NASDAQ, and was a cofounder and chairman emeritus of Yihaodian, a leading e-commerce company in China. Dr. Yu has extensive experience in E-commerce and operation and logistics management. Prior to founding Yihaodian, he was Vice President, Worldwide Procurement at Dell Inc. Dr. Yu also served as Vice President, Worldwide Supply Chain Operations at Amazon.com. Prior to joining Amazon, Dr. Yu served as the Jack G. Taylor Chair Professor in Business in the Department of Management Science and Information Systems at the McCombs School of Business, the University of Texas at Austin, Director of the Center for Management of Operations and Logistics, and co-Director of the Center for Decision Making under Uncertainty. Dr. Yu is also the founder, former chairman and chief executive officer of CALEB Technologies Corporation. CALEB Technologies was acquired by Accenture in a merger and acquisition in 2002. Dr. Yu obtained his bachelor’s degree in science from Wuhan University in 1982 and his master’s degree in science from Cornell University in 1985. Dr. Yu received his PhD from the Wharton School of Business, University of Pennsylvania in 1990. Dr. Yu was awarded Franz Edelman Award for Management Science Achievement by INFORMS, an international association in 2002. He was also awarded Excellence in Research Award (優秀研究獎) and Best Thesis Award (最佳論文獎) by International Industrial Engineer Institute (國際工業工程師協會) twice in 2002 and 2003. He was awarded Martin Starr Excellence in Production and Operations Management Practice Award (Martin Starr 生產與運營管理卓越實踐獎) by POMS, an international association in 2012. Dr. Yu published over 80 articles on international professional magazines along with 6 books and three American patents. Dr. Yu has been appointed as a director of LightInTheBox, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, since 30 March 2016. Also, Dr. Yu has been appointed as director of Midea Group Co., Ltd (美的集團股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, since September 2018 and has been appointed as an independent director of Chindata Group Holdings Limited, which is listed on Nasdaq Stock Market, since September 2020. Dr. Yu was an independent director of Baozun Inc., which is listed on Nasdaq Stock Market, from April 2018 to August 2020.

Mr. Qi Zhiping (齊志平) joined the Group at the acquisition of 50.6% equity interest in Shenzhen Sinoagri by the Group in June 2017 and was appointed as an executive Director in July 2018. Mr. Qi was then the vice chairman of Shenzhen Sinoagri and holds the position after the above acquisition. Mr. Qi is also the Co-Chief Executive Officer of the Group and a member of the remuneration committee, and serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. Mr. Qi is primarily responsible for the integrated management of the online platform of the Group and the collaboration of various platforms, and the overall strategic planning and management capacity enhancement of Shenzhen Sinoagri, the planning for investment and development strategy of the Group, designing commercial models, engaging in investment projects decision and management of the Group. Mr. Qi was one of the founding members of Shenzhen Sinoagri. He has extensive experience on operation and management of retail chain, securities investment and E-commerce and experienced in corporate governance, strategic planning and global deployment. Mr. Qi obtained his bachelor degree in corporate management from Shenzhen University in 1994. He has obtained a master degree in Executive Master of Business Administration from China Europe International Business School in 2021. Mr. Qi has been appointed as a director of LightInTheBox, a company listed on the New York Stock Exchange, since 17 August 2018 and has been appointed as the vice chairman of its board since 16 November 2018.

Mr. Yu Wei (余偉) was appointed as an executive Director on 15 June 2021, is the vice president of the Group, and also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. He joined the Group in October 2015 and is primarily responsible for the operation and day-to-day management of Zall International Trade Group Co., Ltd.* (卓爾國際貿易集團有限公司) (the Group’s international trade segment), Commodities Intelligence Centre Pte. Ltd. (CIC), and the Group’s logistics and storage business. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Yu was engaged in sectors such as automobile, financing, travelling, internet logistics and international bulk commodities trading for over 10 years, and successfully founded the first generation of local car travelling brand in Wuhan. Mr. Yu obtained his graduate diploma in business administration from Wuhan Polytechnic University in 2006 and obtained a master degree in Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from China Europe International Business School in 2013.

Ms. Fan Xiaolan (范曉蘭) was appointed as an executive Director on 1 January 2024, joined the Group in May 2022, is the chairlady of North Hankou Group Ltd.* (漢口北集團有限公司), a subsidiary of the Company, and is primarily responsible for the operation and day-to-day management of the North Hankou business of the Group. Ms. Fan has over 15 years of experience in corporate strategy and operations management. Prior joining the Group, Ms. Fan served as vice president of Hubei Yihua Group Ltd.* (湖北宜化集團有限責任公司) during 2008 to 2012, and served as deputy secretary and mayor of the Municipal Party Committee of Dangyang Municipal Government during 2007 to 2008, she also served as secretary of the Youth League Committee and secretary of the Party Leadership Group of Yichang City during 2003 to 2007. Ms. Fan is a member of the board of supervisors of Wuhan Huazhong CNC Co., Ltd.* (武漢華中數控股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, since April 2021, and re-designated as the chairlady of the board of supervisors since April 2022. She is also a member of the board of supervisors of Hanshang Group Co., Ltd.* (漢商集團股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, since March 2022. Further, since 2012, Ms. Fan has served as a director of Zall Holdings Ltd.* (卓爾控股有限公司), a company held as to 99.95% as of the date of this announcement by Mr. Yan Zhi, an executive Director. Ms. Fan obtained a master degree in Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from Cheung Kong Graduate School of Business in 2015.

 

INDEPENDENT NON-EXECUTIVE DIRECTORS

 

Mr. Cheung Ka Fai (張家輝) was appointed as an independent non-executive Director on 20 June 2011. He is also the chairman of the audit committee and a member of the nomination committee and risk management committee. Mr. Cheung has over 25 years of experience in auditing, accounting and finance. Prior to joining the Group, Mr. Cheung worked as an auditor at Deloitte Touche Tohmatsu and served as the financial controller and company secretary of two companies listed on the GEM of the Stock Exchange. Mr. Cheung was the chief financial officer and company secretary of Huscoke Resources Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange, from June 2008 to July 2012 and an executive director of Huscoke Resources Holdings Limited from October 2009 to July 2012. He has been serving as the chief financial officer of Bonjour Holdings Limited, a company listed on the Main Board of the Stock Exchange, from August 2012 to May 2020; and was transferred to chief executive officer from May 2020 to July 2020. Effective from November 2021, Mr. Cheung has been appointed as the chief financial officer and the joint company secretary of International Genius Company (formerly known as Amber Hill Financial Holdings Limited), a company listed on the Main Board of Stock Exchange. Mr. Cheung is an associate member of the Hong Kong Institute of Certified Public Accountants and a fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants. He obtained a bachelor’s degree in accountancy from the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in November 1997 and a master’s degree in business administration from the University of Bradford in January 2008.

Mr. Wu Ying (吳鷹) was appointed as an independent non-executive Director on 29 February 2016. He is also the chairman of the nomination committee and a member of the audit committee and remuneration committee of the Company. Mr. Wu is currently the chairman of China Capital Group since October 2008. Prior to joining China Capital Group, Mr. Wu served as chairman and chief executive officer of UTStarcom (China) Co. Ltd for 12 years. Mr. Wu has extensive experience in telecommunication industry and venture capital investment. Mr. Wu obtained his bachelor’s degree in electronic engineering from the Beijing University of Technology in 1982 and obtained his master’s degree in electronic engineering from the New Jersey Institute of Technology in 1988 and obtained a doctor’s degree (honoris causa) from New Jersey Institute of Technology in 2016. Mr. Wu is currently chairman of the board of supervisors of Huayi Brothers Media Corporation Ltd. (華誼兄弟傳媒股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange and chairman of ZJBC Information Technology Co., Ltd. (中嘉博創信息技術股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange. Mr. Wu served as an independent non-executive Director of JD Health International Inc., which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, since April 2022, and an independent director of BEST Inc., which is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, since May 2022. Mr. Wu was a director of HyUnion Holding Co., Ltd. * (海聯金匯科技股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, from December 2016 to April 2022, and an independent non-executive director of Zhong An Online P & C Insurance Co., Ltd. (眾安在線財產保險股份有限公司), which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, from December 2017 to March 2022.

Mr. Zhu Zhengfu (朱征夫) was appointed as an independent non-executive Director on 10 March 2017. He is also the chairman of the remuneration committee and risk management committee and a member of the audit committee of the Company. Mr. Zhu is currently a partner and meeting chairman of Hylands Law Firm (浩天律師事務所). Prior to that, Mr. Zhu was the supervisor and executive partner of Kunlun Law Firm (廣東東方昆侖律師事務所) between 1999 and 2019. He was the deputy head of the Land Law Consultation Service Center of the Guangdong Province Land Resources Bureau (廣東省國土廳廣東地產法律諮詢服務中心) from 1995 to 1998, a partner at Guangdong Dalu Law Firm (廣東大陸律師事務所) from 1995 to 1998, the head of finance and real estate of Guangdong Economic Development Law Firm (廣州市經濟貿易律師事務所) from 1993 to 1995, and deputy department head of the economic development department of Wanbao Electronics Import and Export Co., Ltd. (萬寶電器進出口公司) from 1987 to 1993. Mr. Zhu is also an independent director of Daan Gene Co., Ltd.* (廣州達安基因股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, since May 2022. Mr. Zhu was an independent director of Poly Developments and Holdings Group Co., Ltd.* (保利發展控股集團股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, from April 2014 to May 2022. Mr. Zhu was an independent non-executive director of Chong Kin Group Holdings Limited (創建集團(控股)有限公司), which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange from January 2018 to January 2021. He also served as an independent non-executive director of Dongjiang Environmental Co., Ltd. (東江環保股份有限公司), which is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, from October 2016 to December 2020 and as an independent director of Wuhan Sante Cableways Group Co., Ltd.* (武漢三特索道集團股份有限公司), which is listed on the Shenzhen Stock Exchange, from March 2017 to May 2020. Mr. Zhu is also a representative of the 14th National People’s Congress of China and the deputy supervisor of the All China Lawyers Association. He graduated from Wuhan University with a PhD in International Economics Law in 1999 and holds a professional lawyer’s certificate issued by the Ministry of Justice of the People’s Republic of China. 

 

SENIOR MANAGEMENT

 

Mr. Yan Zhi (閻志), Mr. Qi Zhiping (齊志平), Mr. Yu Wei (余偉) and Mr. Xia Lifeng (夏里峰) also serve as senior management of the Group, please refer to their biographical details as set out under the section of Executive Directors.

Mr. Zhu Guo Hui (朱國輝) is the chief financial officer of the Company. Mr. Zhu joined the Group in August 2014 and is primarily responsible for the financial management and capital market of the Company. Mr. Zhu possesses over 20 years of experience in the capital markets of Hong Kong and Mainland China. Prior to joining of the Company, Mr. Zhu has worked in various financial institutions including Credit Suisse, Value Partners Group, a company listed on the Main Board of the Hong Kong Stock Exchange (Stock Code: 806) and BNP Paribas in connection with transactions on initial public offering, merger and acquisition, direct investment and corporate financing. Mr. Zhu holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from The Central University of Finance and Economics and a master’s degree in international business administration from The University of Hong Kong.

Mr. Cao Tianbin (曹天斌) is a senior economist, the vice president of the Group and the president of North Hankou Group, and also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. He is mainly responsible for offline operation and property management work of the Group. Mr. Cao has approximately six years of experience in the wholesale market and investment management industry and over 20 years of experience in the operation and management of commercial projects. He joined the Group in August 2008 as the general manager of the business solicitation department of North Hankou Group Co., Ltd. and has also been the assistant to the general manager of Wuhan North Hankou Market Management Co., Ltd. since October 2009. Prior to joining our Group in August 2008, Mr. Cao served as the deputy general manager of Wuhan Wenhua Printing Co., Ltd. from August 1996 to July 2008. Mr. Cao obtained a diploma in mechanical and electronic engineering from Lanzhou University of Technology (formerly known as Gansu University of Technology) in July 1991 and a master’s degree in economics from Zhongnan University of Economics and Law in December 2001.

Mr. Sun Wei (孫煒) is a senior economist, the vice president of the Group and the CEO of Shenzhen Sinoagri, a subsidiary of the Group. Mr. Sun also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. Mr. Sun joined the Group in June 2017 upon the acquisition of Shenzhen Sinoagri by the Group and is primarily responsible for the coordination of Shenzhen Sinoagri’s strategic positioning, overall operation and management, research and development of technology and investment projects. Mr. Sun Wei established Shenzhen Sinoagri in 2010 and obtained rich practical experience and innovative achievements in the fields of capital operation, industrial internet, supply chain finance and research and development of technology. Mr. Sun obtained a bachelor’s degree in material forming and control engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2000, a master’s degree in management science and engineering from Xi’an Jiaotong University in 2004 and a master degree in management in Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) from China Europe International Business School in 2015.

Mr. Pan Fujie (潘富傑) is the CEO of Shanghai Zall Steel E-commerce Co., Ltd., a black bulk commodities industry online platform and a subsidiary of the Group. Mr. Pan also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. Mr. Pan joined the Group in March 2018 upon the establishment of Zall Steel in joint ventures by the Group and Xiben New Line and is primarily responsible for setting strategic objectives of the Company, business model innovation and daily operation management. Mr. Pan has over 20 years of experience in operations, management and investment in the domestic and foreign trading sector of black bulk commodities such as steel, coal and mineral products, as well as years of experience in industrial internet innovation and practice. He has strategic planning, management and organizational leadership capabilities for large enterprises. Mr. Pan obtained a bachelor’s degree in material management and engineering from Northern Jiaotong University (北方交通大學) in 1998, a MBA degree from Tsinghua University School of Economics and Management in 2009, and a master’s degree in finance from Peking University School of Economics in 2017.

Mr. Bai Rui (白睿) is the CEO of HSH, a subsidiary of the Group. Mr. Bai also serves as director to a number of subsidiaries of the Group. He joined the Group in January 2020, and is mainly responsible for the overall operation and management of HSH, the establishment of risk control system and core team. In 2010, Mr. Bai graduated from Shandong University with a bachelor’s degree in business administration and obtained an EMBA degree from Xiamen University. Prior to joining HSH, he served as a director and the general manager of Shanghai Gangyin E-Commerce Holdings Co., Ltd. During his tenure, he completed the steady transformation of different business models under the original system, and built a “seamless trading platform” integrating spot trading, online financing, payment and settlement, warehousing and logistics and other ancillary services, providing whole-process solutions for the industrial chain.