“A thankful heart is indispensable for scaling new heights”
A native of Hong Kong, Michael Ross spent the prime years of his life in his second home – Shanghai – where he built an illustrious career. It was at PolyU that his entrepreneurial spirit was nurtured, for that, he is forever grateful to his alma mater. To give back, he is determined to pursue excellence and do his best to serve society. As the Vice Chairman of the Charoen Pokphand Group (CP Group) and the Co-chairman of CP Commercial Real Estate, Michael has made outstanding contributions to Shanghai’s economic and social development, for which he was awarded the highest honour by Shanghai Municipal People’s Government the "Magnolia Silver Award" and "Magnolia Gold Award".
In 1997, Michael followed the Senior Chairman of CP Group Mr Dhanin Chearavanont (Xie Guomin) to Shanghai where he helped established Lotus, the first hypermarket in mainland China. To date, it has grown to more than 100 stores nationwide, leading the development and growth of China's retail market. In 2015, Michael began to take charge of the group’s commercial and real estate business. In 2016, He initiated the upgrade of Super Brand Mall, and led the team to establish a standardised management system for effective and efficient management.
Adhering to "Continuous Innovation", one of CP Group’s six core values, Michael launched new retail models by integrating online and offline (O&O) activities, e.g. the "Eat n Work" - fusion of co-working space and catering service in Shanghai; and “Le Cinema” - the innovative cinema for entertainment in Luoyao. In May 2020, Shanghai Super Brand Mall signed a contract with Shanghai Telecom to build the first "3-Gigabyte Shopping Mall” and thus setting the trend of 5G shopping center in the country. Under Michael’s leadership, Shanghai Super Brand Mall was honoured with various accolades including "Top 10 Contributing Enterprises in Pudong", "2018 Shanghai Commercial Transformation and Innovation Model Enterprise" and "2017 Outstanding Management of Chinese Shopping Mall Award”.
"Thanking with Gratitude" is Michael’s success motto. He often says to himself, "A thankful heart is indispensable for scaling new heights". He is thankful to the Nation for creating opportunities through Pudong's 30 years of reform and opening up. Along with the Group, he has made remarkable business achievements. He is also grateful to his alma mater, PolyU for his education. He recalled that his teachers often reminded students to “Get your hands dirty”- meaning to put what is learned into practice, which is an attribute of PolyU students.
CP Group attaches great importance to nurturing talent. The CP Leadership Institute was established in Thailand to nurture young future leaders who are well rounded and possess global visions. In line with the group’s talent strategy, Michael offers these promising young people support, guidance and a platform to unleash their strengths. In 2018, he launched the "Shadow Team", a new management trainee programme, focusing on developing new talent and successors for the group.
Michael actively takes part in public duties. Amid the outbreak of coronavirus, CP Group was among the first foreign investment enterprises to offer rental exemption/reduction to tenants hit hard by the pandemic. After the resumption of work, CP Group has continued to extend the rental support to all tenants. Total rent exempted reached RMB100 million, offering relief to over 1,000 tenants. Furthermore, money, food and other protective supplies were donated to areas affected by the pandemic.
A man of his word, Michael is always grateful, constantly innovative and he values talented people. A business leader with a strong sense of social responsibility, he also set a great role model for many to follow.
Publishing date: June 2021
