Jim Thompson, the founder and chairman of Crown Worldwide Group, has been awarded the EY Entrepreneur of the Year™ 2024 award for Hong Kong/Macau.
READ: Looking Towards 2025: Predictions for the Airfreight Industry
This prestigious award acknowledges his contribution to building a globally competitive business within the region over nearly six decades and is in recognition of his excellence in business.
Starting out with just $1,000 in 1965, Jim has ridden the waves of accelerated globalization to build Crown, a privately owned, global logistics company committed to making it simpler to live, work and do business anywhere in the world.
It has moved millions of families around the world, and diversified to help thousands of organizations maximize the value of their corporate assets – from information and records to office furniture.
Across its five international brands and local businesses, such as Crown Wine Cellars, based in Hong Kong, the company employs 3,000 people in 45 countries.
Jim’s accomplishment, which comes just weeks before Crown Worldwide Group’s 60th anniversary, highlights his personal success but also underscores the impact of his entrepreneurial spirit on the Hong Kong and China region at large.
The award also recognised that his impact goes beyond business. He is heavily involved in several charities and serves on the boards of various organizations, particularly those devoted to children’s welfare, cancer research, education, and the arts. Jim has ensured that giving back to the local communities in which Crown operates makes up the fabric of its DNA and values.
Accepting the award, Jim said: “Entrepreneurs are the backbone of the global economy, and I am grateful to EY for recognising our contributions globally. However, no entrepreneur is a one-man band, and Crown’s success is owed to the incredible people in our company, not just in Hong Kong but all over the world.
“Having lived in Hong Kong for most of my life, I’m deeply grateful for the opportunities it has given me and for its role as Crown’s home for over 50 years. But what makes Crown truly special is the incredible team we’ve built across 45 countries and the shared energy and creativity that comes from working in so many different cultures. I’m excited not only about Hong Kong’s and Greater China’s future but also about the way the world is growing closer and more collaborative.”
READ: Airfreight helps holiday e-commerce soar across the US and Latin America in 2024
He continued: “This award is especially meaningful as we get ready to celebrate 60 wonderful years and as the organization continues to diversify further and meet the needs of its customers. It’s a moment to celebrate not just our history but also the spirit of innovation and determination that has brought us here. That same spirit will take us into the future, and I’m so proud to share this journey with such an incredible global team.”
At the award ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Guangzhou, Jim received the Grand Winner title among the top 10 winners across multiple categories, including Health Sciences and Wellness, Technology, Services, and Energy and Resources.
