Chairman, Early Light International Holdings
The founder and chairman of Early Light International Holdings, the world’s largest toymaker, Francis Choi is known as the King of Toys. He started off as a toy salesman, opening his first toy factory in the early 1970s. His company grew fast thanks to massive orders from the likes of toy giant Mattel, for whom the company manufactured Snoopy products.
The company also has operations in a range of other areas, including property development; automotive services, through its division Fastwheel, which trades and services luxury cars; and watch retail, through Halewinner Watches, which is run by his son Karson. Francis is also the vice-chairman of Regal Hotels, deputy chairman of Town Health International Medical Group and honorary president of the Toys Manufacturers’ Association of Hong Kong.
Francis Choi is married to Margaret, with whom he has three children. A member of the Chinese People’s Political Consultative Conference, he is the holder of a Gold Bauhinia Star and a Justice of the Peace.
(Photo: K. Y. Cheng for South China Morning Post via Getty Images)
Awards
2009
Gold Bauhinia Star
Did You Know?
Francis Choi has invested US$100 million of his own money into a factory that makes plant-based, biodegradable plastic, located next to his main toy factory in Shaoguan, Guangdong.